Vanilla Cola Float Pound Cake with Cherry Glaze
A nostalgic pound cake inspired by the classic ice cream parlor treat, featuring Vanilla Coke that adds subtle caramel notes and gentle fizz to create an incredibly moist crumb. The melted vanilla ice cream glaze mimics a float's creamy top, while maraschino cherries provide sweet bursts throughout. Perfect for summer gatherings, birthday parties, or when you want to surprise guests with a playful twist on traditional pound cake. The long, slow bake ensures even cooking and rich flavor development.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 5 eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups cake flourall-purpose flour1:1 ratio minus 2 TBSP per cupdietary
Works well but creates slightly denser texture
Full guide → - 1 cup Vanilla Coke, at room temperatureregular cola plus vanilla extract1 cup cola plus 1/4 tsp vanillaflavor
Maintains sweetness and carbonation
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 8 maraschino cherries
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup vanilla ice cream, melted
- 3 TBSP Vanilla Cokeregular cola plus vanilla extract1 cup cola plus 1/4 tsp vanillaflavor
Maintains sweetness and carbonation
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and spray tube or Bundt pan with baking spray
- 2
Cream butter and sugar with paddle attachment until light and fluffy
- 3
Beat in vanilla extract and salt
- 4
Add eggs one at a time, scraping bowl after each addition
- 5
Alternate adding flour and Vanilla Coke, beginning and ending with flour
- 6
Place cherries in bottom of prepared pan, spacing evenly
- 7
Scoop batter into pan over cherries
- 8
Bake until knife or skewer inserted comes out clean
- 9
Cool on wire rack, then remove from pan
- 10
Whisk together powdered sugar, melted ice cream, and Vanilla Coke for glaze
- 11
Adjust glaze consistency with more powdered sugar or Coke as needed
- 12
Pour glaze over cooled cake and top with additional cherries if desired
Tips
Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and a smoother batter that incorporates more easily.
An ice cream scoop helps distribute batter evenly over the cherries without disturbing their placement.
Let Vanilla Coke sit open for 30 minutes before using to reduce excess carbonation that could affect texture.
Good to Know
Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and glazed before serving.
Slice with serrated knife and serve at room temperature for best flavor.
Common Mistakes
Bring all ingredients to room temperature to avoid curdled batter
Don't overmix after adding flour to avoid tough texture
Check doneness with skewer as underbaked center will be gummy
Substitutions
Works well but creates slightly denser texture
Full guide →Maintains sweetness and carbonation
FAQ
Can I use a different pan size?
A 9x13 inch pan works but reduce baking time to 45-55 minutes and check for doneness earlier.
What if my glaze is too thick?
Add Vanilla Coke one teaspoon at a time until you reach desired consistency for easy pouring.
How long will this cake keep?
Properly stored at room temperature, it stays fresh for 3 days or refrigerated for up to one week.