Coke Float Push Up Pops

I am big fan of Coke, and my father is an even bigger fan (he has an entire "coke room" in his house filled with memorabilia), so when I saw these Coca Cola Float Push Up Pops I knew I had to make them for him. They most definitely did not disappoint and have become one of my most favorite dessert recipes! 

Coke Float Push Up Pops

(Makes 12 push-up pops)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Coca-cola (do not use diet!)
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly-packed dark brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• homemade whipped cream
• maraschino cherries (with stems)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously spray the inside of two 9×13-inch baking dishes or a 24-mini-baking-cup pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small saucepan, heat the Coca-cola, cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until just beaten, then whisk them into the cooled cocoa mixture until combined. Gently fold the flour mixture into the cocoa mixture. The batter will be slightly lumpy–do not overbeat, as it could cause the cake to be tough.

If using cupcake tins, pour the batter into the tins until they are each about 2/3 full, and bake for about 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

If using the 9×13-inch baking dishes, pour 3 cups of batter into each dish and gently shake so that the batter is even.  Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cakes comes out clean.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Then once the cake has cooled, use an empty push-up pop as a cookie cutter to punch out 24 cake circles.  Set them aside on a piece of waxed paper for assembly.

To assemble the push-up pops, gently press a mini-cupcake or a cake circle into the bottom of a push-up pop.  Then add in a swirl of whipped cream and a de-stemmed maraschino cherry.  Then add another layer of cake, whipped cream, and then top with a (stemmed) maraschino cherry.  Serve immediately or refrigerate.

(Original Recipe)