Sign up to the GoodTo Newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how to do this, and how we hold your data, please see our privacy policy
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Coke floats are an old-fashioned treat that combines the fizzy drink with a dollop of ice cream. These coke float cupcakes are delicious. A sticky, sweet cola syrup flavours the sponges and the naughty ice cream topping with a cherry on top finishes it off nicely. This cupcake recipe (opens in new tab) makes 12 cupcakes.
Ingredients
For the cakes:
- 240ml coke
- 60g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 60g unsalted butter
- 140g caster sugar
- 50g dark brown sugar
- 125g self raising flour
- 2 medium eggs
- ½tsp salt
- ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda
For the syrup and topping:
- 260ml coke
- 1tsp cornflour
- 12 scoops of vanilla icecream
- 12 cherries
You will also need:
- Deep muffin pan with 12 cupcakes cases
- Small ice cream scoop (optional)
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- For the cakes:
- Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Line 12 the muffin tray with 12 cupcakes.
- In a small saucepan, heat the coke, cocoa powder and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let the cocoa mixture cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, bicarb soda and salt together.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs. Fold the eggs and the coke mixture into the flour mix. Use a large whisk but don’t overbeat or the cupcakes will be dense.
- Fill cupcake liners about ¾ full and bake cupcakes for 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 5 minutes then move on a wire rack.
- Add the coke to a small pan and heat until boiling point, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the coke has reduced by half. Leave to one side to cool.
- Once cool add 1tsp of cornflour and whisk until it has thickened and has a nice dark brown colour. You should still be able to pour the syrup, if it's too thick add a touch more coke. Leave to cool before adding to the cupcakes
- Using a skewer or toothpick, make a few small holes in the cupcakes - not right to the bottom or the papers will peel). Brush the tops of the cakes liberally with the cooled syrup.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and a cherry. You can drizzle more syrup over the ice cream if you wish.
Top Tip for making Coke float cupcakes
The cakes will keep for about 3 days, so only add the ice cream just before you serve them so it doesn't melt. You could also experiment with other fizzy drinks such as lemonade or Dr Pepper for different tastes and you can change the flavour of the ice cream too – strawberry or chocolate would work just as well.
You might also like…
Chocolate cupcake recipe (opens in new tab)
Vanilla cupcakes recipe (opens in new tab)
Lemonade cupcakes (opens in new tab)

Victoria Threader is 'the queen of cupcakes' and a contributing Recipe Writer at GoodTo. Not only can she bake delicious cupcakes, she can decorate them too - with each of Victoria’s cupcakes topped with handmade edible toppers. Some of her most popular cupcakes include: rainbow cupcakes, hidden shape cupcakes and even giant cupcakes.
-
Butterfly buns
Our easy butterfly buns recipe is perfect for kids. We've kept our butterfly cake recipe simple - just slice the tops off and fill with buttercream and jam...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Red velvet cupcakes
Red velvet cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery have deep red sponge with a delicious cream cheese frosting. They are delightfully decadent.
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Mary Berry's almond cupcakes
Mary Berry's deliciously moist almond cupcakes are packed with apricots and sultanas for a fruity twist. Make 12 cupcakes using this recipe...
By Mary Berry • Published
-
Coconut macaroon
These coconut macaroons are an amazing three-ingredient recipe and they're ready in less than 20 minutes. A quick and easy sweet.
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Chocolate orange cake
This more-ish chocolate orange cake is great for making with the kids in the holidays. Make sure you get first dibs on licking the chocolate bowl though!
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Gordon Ramsay's Black Forest cake
A beautiful, decadent Black Forest cake with moist chocolate sponge and kirsch-soaked cherries. A truly epic teatime treat.
By Gordon Ramsay • Published
-
Iceland is selling a GIANT Cadbury’s Creme Egg dessert just in time for Easter
By Naomi Jamieson • Published
-
The Queen's early morning sweet snack is very pricey
By Kudzai Chibaduki • Published
-
The Queen’s dinner table rule means this everyday essential isn’t ‘allowed’ for her royal relatives
The Queen reportedly prefers a more 'formal' approach to mealtimes and prioritises traditional etiquette with her nearest and nearest...
By Emma Shacklock • Published