The site’s most popular recipe of all time: Jack and Coke Cupcakes! Rich chocolate cola cupcakes filled with a Jack Daniel’s whiskey chocolate ganache and topped with a creamy whiskey buttercream frosting. Throw a 21+ party and serve these alongside bourbon balls, white chocolate champagne truffles, boozy angel food cupcakes and champagne cupcakes!
This Jack and Coke Cupcake recipe is, hands down, my most popular recipe.
Readers have commented, pinned, left pictures as comments on Pinterest, tweeted, shared on Facebook, and even emailed me to tell me how much they love them. It’s crazy to me how much you all love this recipe, but… well, I completely get it. It’s ridiculously delicious.
Tips for making Jack and Coke cupcakes
Let’s start with the cupcakes:
- I recommend using aluminum liners or silicon cupcake holders. Paper liners coated with nonstick spray will still work, but aluminum liners are very easy to peel away from the cupcake without losing precious morsels of chocolate cake.
- You have to use regular Coca Cola. You cannot use any of the reduced or sugar free versions – it won’t work for the purpose of this recipe. So, I repeat: use the original Coke.
- Only stir the cooled cocoa mixture and flour mixture until just combined. This is very important, or you’re going to end up with a tougher cake texture in the end.
My love affair with their cracked, puffy cupcake/muffin tops is borderline obsessive. They’re just so pretty.
Now, about the ganache:
- When you’re making the ganache, don’t jump ahead and add the whiskey too soon. Make sure you add it right at the end, otherwise you’re going to cook off some of that flavor!
- You have to find the balance between having the ganache too cool or too warm. Too cool, it won’t be fluid enough to work with. Too warm, and it’ll melt through your piping bag and just plain cause a mess! Wait to pipe it in until it’s cool enough not to give you trouble when you’re placing it in a piping bag.
- I like to use a cupcake corer (aff link) to remove the center of the cupcake, but you can also just use a small paring knife to carve it out. Save the cores and make some cake pops with them later! Or just eat them… ’cause that’s what I actually do.
Last but not least, the frosting:
- Make sure you whip the butter until it’s light and fluffy – it’s key to getting the texture we want.
- Add the powdered sugar slowly, a little bit at a time. If you try to add it all at once, you’re going to end up with a big mess and you’ll have a sugar explosion all over your kitchen and make it appear as though a blizzard blasted through your window.
- Alternating adding powdered sugar and whiskey helps keep the mixture moist enough to work with until you have all ingredients combined.
- You can add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract if you want it to be less whiskey-y, but isn’t that whiskey flavor why we’re making it? Maybe just add 1/4 teaspoon for a little balance.
- I love adding little gummy cola candies on top because it’s the perfect garnish. You could also add candied lime slices, crumbles of some of your cupcake cores, or nothing at all! Let the frosting stand alone in all its glory.
I’d say this email from a coworker after eating one speaks for itself:
Subject Line:
I might need a designated driver
Message Body:
Just inhaled your cupcake (that’s what she said) and it was . . . well, after that first bite it’s all a blur.
Seriously, SO delicious and I could eat an entire cake-pan full of that icing. In fact, I’m headed to rehab this afternoon because of it.
You’re a baking genius. Thank you so much for honoring me with one of the few your had!
. . . . And now, I will attempt to walk a straight line.
However, FYI – these cupcakes are not actually going to get you drunk – sorry.
Description
Stress Baking's first ever viral recipe: Jack and Coke Cupcakes! Rich chocolate cola cupcakes filled with a Jack Daniel's whiskey chocolate ganache and topped with a creamy whiskey buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups Coke, don’t use Diet or Coke Zero! You need the sugar that’s in the original
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, room temperature
Ganache Filling
- ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Jack Daniels whiskey
Frosting
- 6 tablespoons stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons Jack Daniels whiskey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 24 gummy cola bottles or 24 lime fruit slices, garnish, for adorableness
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350° F, and line 24 cupcake cups with aluminum liners (or use silicone cupcake holders). Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine Coke and butter and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add cocoa powder, sugar, brown sugar and whisk until sugars are dissolved and mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes or so.1 1/2 cups Coke, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add cooled cocoa mixture and stir to combine. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined.2 eggs
- Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling them 3/4 of the way. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean. Transfer cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely.
Ganache
- Place the chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the cream until it’s simmering and then pour it over the chocolate in the heatproof bowl. Let it sit for one minute and then stir until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined.1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, 1/3 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon Jack Daniels whiskey
- Let the ganache cool enough that it won’t give you trouble when you place it in a piping bag.
- Cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes – I used a small paring knife, but you could also use an apple corer or a cupcake plunger (if you’re fancy schmancy and have one).
- Put the ganache into a piping bag with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top. If you’re like me and don’t have a real piping bag, just put it in a plastic freezer bag and cut off a small corner.
Frosting
- Whisk the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer for a couple minutes. You want it to be light and fluffy.6 tablespoons stick unsalted butter
- Slowly add the powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time. Trust me – you don’t want to pour it all in at once. For one, you’ll make a gigantic mess because the sugar will explode all over your kitchen and make it appear as though a blizzard blasted through your window. Also, the frosting will be grainy and impossible to mix properly.3 cups powdered sugar
- Once you've used about half your powdered sugar, add in a bit of whiskey and then mix again. This will thin it out a bit, allowing you to continue mixing in the remaining sugar. Continue to add a bit of whiskey and mix until you've used all the sugar. Note: As far as I'm concerned, using more than 3 tablespoons whiskey is NOT a problem. I accidentally dropped 5 tablespoons in the bowl… and a few tablespoons in my mouth… oops.3 tablespoons Jack Daniels whiskey
- You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you want it to be less whiskey-y.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes however you’d like. Top them with the little gummy cola bottles and voila – adorable, deliciously whiskey infused cupcakes!24 gummy cola bottles or 24 lime fruit slices
Video
Notes
- Keep in mind that elevation can affect your results, as well as the temperature of your ingredients.
- Not a fan of whiskey? Swap it out for your favorite rum!
- I recommend using aluminum liners or silicon cupcake holders. Paper liners coated with nonstick spray will still work, but aluminum liners are very easy to peel away from the cupcake.
- You have to use regular Coca Cola. You cannot use any of the reduced or sugar free versions – it won’t work for the purpose of this recipe. So, I repeat: use the original Coke.
- When you’re making the ganache, don’t jump ahead and add the whiskey too soon. Make sure you add it right at the end, otherwise you’re going to cook off some of that flavor!
- I like to use a cupcake corer to remove the center of the cupcake, but you can also just use a small paring knife to carve it out. Save the cores and make some cake pops with them later!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Stacey Lu
I’m making these now and the cake part is delicious! I’m tempted to make a butterscotch Gamache but husband vetoed since they are for his friends party tomorrow. Anyone try butterscotch yet?
Terri
Can you please clarify the amount of heavy cream? It says this currently: ⅓ cup heavy cream. I’m not sure if that means a cup or 1/3 of a cup. Thank you
Leslie Kiszka
Thanks for catching that (looks like there’s a conflict with a plugin I’m using causing that error, just turned it off!). It’s 1/3 cup heavy cream :)
Amanda
Do these need to be refrigerated after making?
Leslie Kiszka
Tightly covered in the fridge for a couple days is okay. If you do refrigerate them, make sure you let them come to room temperature before serving. They don’t last too long in storage because the cupcakes will dry out, and the ganache will leech into the cupcake itself and give it a less than pleasant texture over time :)
Eirin brevik
Do you think its ok to use tenesse honey, will it throw of the flavor?
Leslie Kiszka
It will change the flavor a bit, but I think it will be delicious with the addition of that honey!
Liz
Can you make the cupcakes and freeze them? Then after they’ve thawed, make the ganache and frosting?
Leslie Kiszka
In theory, yes. I’m honestly not sure how well they will hold up as I haven’t done it myself personally, but generally speaking if you let them cool completely and store in an airtight container it should work!
Angelyn Northcross
chilly Water By Davidoff For Men, I think this is perfect for me. Obviously here I got some awesome counsel that I needed. Thank you fittingly much for sharing this amazing article.
Jennifer
I want to make this recipe without the chocolate and make the flavor of the cupcakes whiskey and coke. Could you tell me how I could alter this to obtain that?
Leslie Kiszka
I’m sorry, I’m not sure how you could do that since the base of this recipe is a chocolate cupcake. But if you experiment and find a way, please do let me know!
Cheryl
@Leslie Kiszka, There is no reason you cant use a vanilla cake and replace the water with coke. Make the ganache as usual or even use white chocolate chips instead. Make vanilla frosting and add the jack instead of milk. It will use less though since there is no cocoa powder. You can do a jack reduction to give it more kick.
Kasey
Made these twice now for friends’ parties and they’ve been a huge hit!
Zoe
hi! I was wondering where you are – I’m in the UK and my cooker doesn’t go up to 350 degrees, trying to work out how to adjust but I thought if it wasn’t like our cooker’s it would be 350F? I thought it was just degrees and F for cooking everywhere. mine is also fan assisted if that makes any difference :/?
Leslie Haasch
I’m in the US, but I’m sorry, I don’t really understand your question. The temperature is listed as 350 degrees F, so I’m not sure what the conversion would be for you on your own oven. However, I believe that translates to 176 degrees C, if that helps at all.
Eloise
When it says frosting and add stuff to the batter is that the left over cake batter
Leslie Haasch
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your question. Can you try rephrasing so I can help?
jconsolvobakes
I’m happy to be your photographer anytime. :-) Have you tried this with Captain Morgans spiced rum?
Leslie Haasch
I haven’t, but I know other people have and loved it!
Anonymous
Would Pepsi work the same as coke?
Leslie Haasch
I can’t say for sure since I’ve never done it, but I would think so!
Leslie Haasch
Hm… you probably could, but I don’t know how the texture (or color, for that matter) might turn out. Even if the texture and flavor is good, they might look sort of muddy :)
Brandi
Is is possible that i could use a white cake mix being that the person doesn’t like the chocolate
Jasmine Rae
Has anyone used the Wilton Shot Tops Flavor Infusers to give this a stronger Jack Daniels taste? I’m making Rumchata Cupcakes and want to make these too for Friendsgiving tomorrow and was wondering how this addition might affect this recipe. Thanks!
Leslie Haasch
It’s 6 tablespoons. I hope you loved them!
Leona
Your frosting recipe calls for 3/4 stick of butter, which is about 1/3 cup – is that correct? With 3 cups of icing sugar? Made the cupcakes last night, they look & smell awesome!
Tere
Leslie i’m going to make this tomorrow ,is it necessary to put them in foil liners, your photo actually has and people liners, please answer ASAP ,thank you cupcakes look amazing can’t wait to taste them
Leslie Haasch
I’m so sorry I didn’t see your comment until today! It’s not necessary to use foil, but it is a lot easier.
Mari
Sorry I was dissapointed by this recipe. The cake rose to a beautiful dome and looked nice but it tasted bland and not moist. The ganache was very good. The frosting was too sweet and gritty. I whipped in a bit of heavy cream thinking it would lighten it up but it turned a bit runny and still tasted gritty.
Leslie Haasch
I’m so sorry to hear that! I’m not sure what may have affected your results, but it could always be your elevation, the temperature of your ingredients, how long/what speed the frosting was mixed, etc. I wish I could provide more insight into what may have happened, and hate that you didn’t have a great experience with this recipe since it’s always such a hit for me and so many others.
Ashley
If you add liquid to the buttercream too fast it can cause it to become grainy, butter does not like liquid so put in a teaspoon at a time.
Kathy
I followed the recipe exact also and only got 18 and did not have enough frosting or filling someone needs to readjust things was not happy because was making for a party
Megha B
Hello! I just made these cupcakes (actually they are in the oven right now.) the recipe says it makes 24.. I only got 18…. And I didn’t even fill the up 3/4… I was lucky to fill they half way. The batter was super thick and hard to divide evenly… Any idea? I followed the recipe exactly and am an avid (sled taught) cup cake baker. ????
Jill
I made these last night and I’m not sure what went wrong. The flavor is awesome but my cupcakes turned out chewy, dense and kinda dry. Maybe over baked? I checked them at 15 mins and they were still liquid in the middle so I gave them five more. I’d like to try them again but not sure what to change.
Kathy
So I can make the cupcakes put those in the fridge and the ganache and frosting all before hand and just store all in the fridge and assemble the day of
Kathy
So how far in advance can u make these and refridge them 2 days? Would they still b good?
lesliehaasch
I think that would be fine! I would just hold off filling them with the ganache or frosting them until the day you’re ready to serve them (but go ahead and make them ahead of time, too) :)
Lauren
What’s the reason for the use of aluminum liners or silicone? Aluminum liners are not easily found where I live. I didn’t want to use silicon because I’m making them for my boyfriend’s birthday dinner and I wanted the liners to match the color scheme.
lesliehaasch
I find that I have a harder time peeling off paper liners cleanly, but you could certainly use them and spray the insides with non-stick spray :)
Sarah
Making this recipe for my boyfriends birthday but wanted to make a layered cake or regular.sheet cake…. any idea if the recipe should be changed or the cook Time? Either for 2 round 8 or 9 inxh pan or a 13×9 in pan?
lesliehaasch
I haven’t made this in cake form before, but I’d recommend doing a 9″ round 2 layer cake – I wouldn’t make any changes to the cake mix. You’ll probably need to increase the amount of ganache filling (depending on how much you want in there) and spread it in between the two cake layers. Not sure how well it would turn out or what the baking time would be, but if you do it please let me know how it turns out!
Amanda
Do you think these would taste okay with a candied bacon
lesliehaasch
EVERYTHING tastes okay with candied bacon ;)
Chantel
I wanted to use this recipe to make a 3ft x 3ft grooms cake. Do you have the recipe or cooking times for larger batches and pans? This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe. The Jack is amazing and not overwhelming at all.
lesliehaasch
I don’t, I’m sorry! But if you give it a shot and find out what works, come back and let me know!
Maria
Look delicious !!! have you tried them with rum instead of jack daniels ????
lesliehaasch
I have not, but I think it would be delicious as well!
Amy Lovato
I made mini cupcakes and they came out wonderful!!! Thanks for the recipe!
lesliehaasch
I’m so glad that you liked them!
Nancey
Hi! You think Black Label will work instead of JD?
lesliehaasch
I don’t see why not!
Keana
How would you adjust the recipe for mini cupcakes?
Leslie Haasch
I’ve never tried to make them in mini form before since they wouldn’t be big enough for the ganache filling. But if you left that out, maybe reduce the baking time to 8 minutes and check on them and see if they’re done, and then frost!
Amanda Sanders
Do you think I could use Kraken instead of JD? Kraken and Coke is my bf’s favourite! I’m thinking of making him these for Valentine’s Day :)
lesliehaasch
You definitely could! Let me know how he likes them :)
Lauren Gordon
Hi There! I wanted to know if i could use a photo from this series for a piece I am doing for BridalGuide.com. Please get back to me ASAP. Thank you!
Kristina
How could I make the jack Daniels stronger? Any suggestions
lesliehaasch
You could increase the amount in the frosting and the ganache by a little bit – but if you add *too* much, it’ll get overwhelming. Good luck!
Victoria
I’m trying these for my boyfriends 29th bday which is Friday. But I work everyday I’m trying to get them done tomorrow since I have a day off. How should I go about making them so they’d be fresh for Friday evening? Or maybe just leave the actually cupcake making till Friday morning before work? Any suggestions? Thank you so much!
lesliehaasch
Hm…I’d recommend waiting until Friday for the best results. You could also make the frosting, ganache and batter ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake, but I’m not sure what that might do to the effectiveness of the Coke and/or baking soda. Let me know how it works out for you!
Melissa
I am making these for my husbands 30th birthday. Is it possible to fill the cupcakes with the ganache and keep them in a Tupperware overnight and then frost them in the morning? What would you suggest?
lesliehaasch
I’d recommend prepping the ganache and then filling them right before frosting – but I *have* filled them AND frosted them, and then covered them in the fridge for a couple days and they were still delicious :)
Kim Poole
So first off i would like to say Awesome recipe! Loved Making these. The recipe was easy to follow and a joy to make.
i do have to say about half way through i realized i may still have a little ptsd from the smell of jack and it might of been to soon to make these. but they are headed to a party. I did soak the coke bottles in jack as well before topping my cupcakes. and added some sugar beads (to imitate bubbles from the coke) Thank you so much for this recipe. i will try and attach a photo
https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11825611_1036374796382490_3724605957832801930_n.jpg?oh=b8884c6c13fdef5c7bbbe36dbb8151ae&oe=563C0A30
lesliehaasch
Those are gorgeous! I’m sure your guests will absolutely love them :) Thank you for sharing!
katelyn
I AM MAKING THESE FOR MY BROTHERS WEDDING! Are they safe for kids??
lesliehaasch
I can’t recommend allowing children to eat these due to the alcohol, however small the amount may be per serving. Maybe make a batch without the whiskey just for them!
Wine dirt and flour
Hi,
The top of the recipe mentions it yields 24 but the recipe itself says 12?
Thank you
lesliehaasch
You’re absolutely right – thank you for pointing that out! I changed recipe plugins and didn’t notice the discrepancy. I just changed it :) Thank you again!
Wine dirt and flour
No problem :)
Anonymous
I’m still confused, the recipe says I need 12 cola-bottle candies, so does this make 24 or 12? :O
lesliehaasch
Thanks for the note – I’ve updated the recipe to reflect the change of 24 candies!
Jacquie
I doubled this and my hubby and I each took a batch to work, everyone loved them. The cakes are so moist and soft, and the sugar really tones down the Jack Daniels, it is a great cupcake! Thank you!
lesliehaasch
I’m so glad you liked it!
Anonymous
What changes would you suggest as far as using recipe to do a layered cake instead of cupcakes? I’m thinking of still layering ganache between but not sure about measurements for the cake itself?
lesliehaasch
I’d recommend doing a 9″ round 2 layer cake – but I wouldn’t make any changes to the cake mix. You’ll probably need to increase the amount of ganache filling (depending on how much you want in there) and spread it in between the two cake layers. Not sure how well it would turn out, but if you do it please let me know how it turns out!