Vanilla Cherry Cola Cupcakes with Cherry Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 12-count muffin pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray or lining with paper cups.

For the cupcakes:

1. Cream together butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, vanilla pudding (unprepared), baking powder, and salt.
4. In another bowl, mix together cola, buttermilk, and cherry juice. (It may look curdled, this is OK!).
5. To the butter, sugar, and egg mixture, alternate adding flour and cola mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Make sure to mix well after each addition.
6. Chop the maraschino cherries. Stir into the batter.
7. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

1. Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
2. Add vanilla and cherry juice. Mix until well-incorporated.
3. Pipe or spread over cooled cupcakes.

Top cupcakes with whole cherries. Makes 12 cupcakes.