This Classic Coca-Cola Cake is a wonderfully rich and chocolatey cake with coca cola in both the cake and icing. This delicious southern chocolate cake always gets rave reviews.

Slice of Classic Cocoa Cola Cake on a plate.

This cake is so easy to make and has so much great chocolate flavor. The cake batter itself is fabulously moist and dense. It’s made with a cup of coke, buttermilk, unsweetened cocoa powder and mini marshmallows.

On top is a wonderful Chocolate Icing that turns out like a thin coating of fudge on top. Over time it melts a little into the top of the cake keeping it wonderfully moist and fresh tasting for days.

What Is Coca Cola Cake?

Coca Cola Cake dates back to the mid-20th century, but became much more widely known when Cracker Barrel added it to their menu in the mid-1990s. It’s very much like Texas Sheet Cake in flavor and texture, but with the addition of Coke.

The cake batter itself is perfectly moist and dense.

If you love peanut butter, be sure to try this peanut version or coca cola cake.

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Cake in cake pan with a slice cut out.

Reader Comment

Debbie says- “Out of this world delicious!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How To Make

(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)

  1. Combine buttermilk and Coca Cola in a glass measuring cup.
    Buttermilk and coke in measuring cup.
  2. Beat butter until creamy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat the sugar in.
    Butter and sugar mixture.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating on low speed until combined.
    Adding the eggs.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
    Flour mixture in mixing bowl.
  5. Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk mixture.
    Adding buttermilk mixture.
  6. Stir in marshmallows.
    Stirring in marshmallows.
  7. Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
    Coca Cola cake before baking and after baking.
  8. Make frosting. Combine butter, cocoa, and coke in a saucepan and heat until the butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar. Pour frosting over cake.
    Frosting being poured on cake.

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t use diet soda for this recipe.
  • Don’t overmix the cake batter. Just stir until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough instead of tender.
  • The icing will thicken as it cools. If too runny, let it cool a little before pouring over the cake. But careful not to let it cool too much or it will set up.

Variations and Substitutions

  • You can use Dr. Pepper or Root Beer instead of Coke.
  • Some people like to add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to their cake batter.
  • If you like nuts, try sprinkling 1/2 cup of toasted chopped pecans over the glaze.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

This delicious chocolate cake always gets rave reviews and it is sure to bring back childhood memories.

Slice of Coca Cola Cake on a white plate with remaining cake in the background.

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Try These Other Southern Cakes Made with Soda

Classic Coca Cola Cake

4.97 from 32 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 18
This Classic Coca-Cola Cake is a wonderfuly rich and chocolatey cake with coca cola in both the cake and icing. This delicious southern chocolate cake always gets rave reviews.
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Coca-Cola
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Coca-Cola Icing

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray.
  • Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk in a glass measuring cup. Set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer (either stand or hand-held) beat butter until creamy.
  • Gradually beat in sugar.
  • Add eggs and vanilla and beat on low speed until blended.
  • In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda.
    Add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk mixture in 2 additions. Beat just until blended.
  • Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
    Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before adding icing.
  • To make icing, combine butter, coke, and cocoa in a large saucepan and place over medium heat until butter is melted, stirring frequently.
    Remove from heat. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Pour on top of cake.

Video

Notes

You can use Dr. Pepper or Root Beer instead of Coke.
Powdered sugar can be really clumpy. To avoid clumps in the icing, sift the powdered sugar before adding it.

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Coca Cola Cake in a 9x13-inch pan.

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Recipe Rating




48 Comments

  1. Rebecca Simon says:

    Easy and yummy!

  2. mikaa says:

    Loved it!

  3. cooper says:

    love this cake I add walnuts or pecans on top!

  4. JoyceR says:

    Can this be made in 2 8โ€ round pans, or would it not rise enough?

  5. Lindsey says:

    Everybody loved it!!!

  6. Amber says:

    I made this dairy free by switching out butter for lard and making buttermilk with almond milk and lemon juice. It turned out amazing and super moist.