CocaCola Cupcakes!

These cupcakes are really easy (cake mix easy), tender and flavorful. By reducing the CocaCola a bit over low heat, you concentrate those weird-but-delicious Coke flavors. You'll use most of it in the cake itself but a little in the frosting really boosts these up. You can decorate them any way you like, but I feel a sour cherry candy on the top is just right.

If you can, get your hands on some CocaCola from Mexico-- it's made with really sugar and comes in the green bottle! They sell it in flats at Costco. You can also through Amazon but it's pricey. I think BevMo might carry them as well. Seek them out-- they taste like the Coke your remember from your childhood.

For the Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 package (18.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix (not devil’s food—the less intense the chocolate flavor, the more you’ll taste the Coke)
1 12-ounce CocaCola
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup peanut oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How To
Pour the CocaCola into a sauce pan and set over low heat. Slowly reduce the Coke until has reduced down to one cup. It’s okay if it reduces a little more than that. Let cool.

Preheat your over to 350 degrees and ready your cupcake pans. Place the cake mix, 3/4 of a cup of the reduced CocaCola, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Blend well, scraping often. Pour the batter into your waiting cupcake liners.

Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (15 to 20 minutes). Let cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting
Ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar
remaining CocaCola
1 stick of butter at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How To
Place the sugar, butter, CocaCola and vanilla in the bowl of your electric mixer. Whip with the whisk attachment until light and fluffy.