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.
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, buttermik, 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.
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.
Classic Coca-Cola Cake Recipe Tips:
- 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.
- 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.
Try These Other Southern Desserts Made with Soft Drinks:
- Coca-Cola with Broiled Peanut Frosting
- 7-Up Cake
- Pineapple 7-Up Cake
- Cheerwine Poke Cake
- Cheerwine Chocolate Cake
Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make.
Classic Coca Cola Cake
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
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup Coca-Cola
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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.
Nutrition
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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.
Can this be made into cupcakes?
Is the icing suppose to be thick or runny?
Can this cake be made into a bundt cake?
Just wondering if I can use marshmallow fluff instead of marshmallows? Thanks
This is the best chocolate cake recipe. So good and moist. We loved it
Made this cake with Dr Pepper! May try Pepsi next!
Truly good for family and any supper or gathering!
Best tasting choc cake around…o, I also add 1/2 teasp. Coffee powder…brings out choc flavor even more!
I’m so happy to hear your Dr. Pepper cake turned out well. I am going to make one myself tomorrow morning.
I made a sugar free version of this cake for Mother’s Day! Turned out great! Followed the recipe, but replaced sugar with Splenda and confectionery sugar with swerve confectionery sugar! The cake was a little flatter than the picture but it was realllly good!
Always a big hit! Had three experienced cooks ask for the recipe.
Wonderful. My granddaughter loves it
Love this recipe
The frosting makes it look perfect!!! It is a chocolatey chocolate cake! Yum!