Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

Directions

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   1.
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   Make the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350F and line a standard muffin pan with paper liners; set aside.
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   2.
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   Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
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   3.
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   In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and butter and beat on medium-high until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
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   Add the egg and beating for an additional minute.
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   In a large mixing cup or small bowl, combine the buttermilk, Coke and vanilla extract.
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   (Make sure you wait for the foam to go down when measuring the Coke and don't worry if your mixture looks curdled when you add the buttermilk.)
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    4.
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    Beginning with the flour mixture, add in 4 parts to the butter mixture, alternating with the Coke mixture.
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    Beat each addition just until incorporated.
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    Give the final mixture a good mix with a rubber spatula to make sure it is thoroughly combined.
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    5.
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    Divide the batter evenly between the muffins tins.
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    Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center cupcake comes out clean.
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    Cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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    6.
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    Fill the Cupcakes: Once cooled, use a paring knife to cut out a cone shape in the middle of each cupcake.
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    Add a spoonful of cherry mixture (2 to 3 cherries) to the well.
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    7.
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    Glaze the Cupcakes: In a small bowl whisk together the powdered sugar and coke.
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    Let sit 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
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    It should drip off of a soon very slowly.
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    Using a small offset spatula, drizzle a little of the glaze onto the middle of each cupcake and then gently spread it over the top.
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    8.
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    Frost the Cupcakes: Beat the heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl with whisk attachment (or hand mixer), beginning on low speed.
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    Once the cream gets frothy begin adding the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, increasing speed as the cream comes together until you reach medium-high speed.
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    Whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks (if you dip a spoon in it, the whipped cream should stay on the spoon when you turn it upside down).
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    Pipe the whipped cream onto cupcakes as desired and top with maraschino cherries for garnish.