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.
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.
Reader Comment
Debbie says- “Out of this world delicious!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How To Make
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
- Combine buttermilk and Coca Cola in a glass measuring cup.
- Beat butter until creamy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat the sugar in.
- Add the eggs and vanilla, beating on low speed until combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk mixture.
- Stir in marshmallows.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- 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.
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.
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Pin ItTry These Other Southern Cakes Made with Soda
- Coca-Cola with Broiled Peanut Frosting
- 7-Up Cake
- Pineapple 7-Up Cake
- Cheerwine Poke Cake
- Cheerwine Chocolate Cake
Classic Coca Cola Cake
Equipment
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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
It is great
Hello this was amazing! I had some leftover Pepsi and tried this recipe. I have to say that I use bobs gluten free flour and I substituted sour cream for the buttermilk hoping for the best. I also did a half recipe in a smaller rectangular glass pan. I used a different sour cream icing recipe thinned with some more Pepsi and poured on while warm. I woke up and had it for breakfast lol. I warmed it up and it’s just amazing thank you!
This looks good. Will try this weekend.
BTW, there is NO period behind the Dr in Dr Pepper!!!!
I never noticed that. Thank you Betsy!
Best ever
The best chocolate cake I have ever eaten and have been using this recipe for my family 50 years…they settle for nothing less! Moist and delicious!
Love this recipe but wanted the frosting not icing. The recipe picture has frosting. My husband was bummed but still liked it.
Can I leave out the marshmallows?
yes, the original recipe from my mom (back in the early 70s) did not include marshmallows in cake batter.
Excellent recipe easy too.
Very easy recipe and the cake got rave reviews from family and friends.
It was out of this world delicious.