Coca Cola Cake

A deliciously rich and chocolatey cake that is easy to make with Coca-Cola essence in both the cake and the frosting! A Southern classic, Coca-Cola cake is always delicious on any occasion.

This Coca-Cola Cake is a rich and delicious sheet pan chocolate cake, made famous by the Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

While you could take a trip to Cracker Barrel and order up a slice, it’s much more cost-effective, and super easy to make a whole pan of cake with Coca-Cola at home!

If you’ve made my Texas Sheet Cake recipe, you will be familiar with how this recipe works, because the two use very similar cooking methods. Specifically, both recipes have you boiling a chocolate mixture to start the cake batter and have a rich chocolate frosting that’s added while the cake is still warm.

They may look similar, but Texas Sheet Cake and Cocoa Cola Cake are very different cakes.

Coca Cola Cake uses soda to add a distinct, but subtle flavor to this recipe. It also tenderizes the cake, making it moist and tender.

Want to try a different type of cake made with soda? 7Up Cake is another great recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Amazing Flavor – Chocolate cake is made even better with the addition of Coca-Cola! This cake is extra chocolatey with a hint of cola flavor that makes it taste amazing.
2. A Moist, Dense Cake – There is a time and place for light and fluffy cakes, but it’s not here and it’s not today! This cake is tender and moist, and almost gooey. The icing on the cake will help to keep it that way for days too.
3. No Fuss– This cake doesn’t need to be layered, frosted, or baked in multiple pans. It’s made in your trusty 9×13-inch baking pan, which means it’s super easy to transport and perfect for potlucks!

Want to learn how to make a few more styles of delicious chocolate cake? Try my old-fashioned Mayonaise Cake with creamy chocolate frosting.

Or get a little bit fancy and make my Classic Chocolate Cake. In this post I’ve decorated it for Easter, but it’s perfect for stacking and decorating with chocolate buttercream for any occasion.

Key Ingredients In Coca Cola Cake

Here’s what you need to make this amazing chocolate cake with Coke:

• Coca-Cola – We’ll use some coke in the cake batter, and even more in the frosting! It adds a light and unique flavor to this chocolate cake and makes the cake itself super tender.
• Sour Cream – This ingredient also aids in giving the cake an extra moist crumb. In place of sour cream, you can also use plain yogurt or buttermilk.
• Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is what makes this cake rich and decadent.

Ingredients in Coca Cola Frosting

• Vanilla Extract – for the most delicious baked goods, use a good quality pure vanilla extract. Vanilla enhances the flavor of the chocolate and Coca Cola in this recipe.
• Butter – there’s no need to soften the butter, we’ll be heating the frosting on the stove to make it perfectly smooth and pourable.
• Powdered Sugar – It’s very important that you sift the powdered sugar when making this icing. If you don’t, it will likely clump up and leave you with a less-than-smooth cake topping.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make Cake with Coca Cola

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray a 9×13 inch (22×33 cm) baking dish with non-stick baking spray. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
2. Heat the Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, over medium heat combine a can of Coca-Cola with cocoa powder, butter, and salt. Let the butter melt completely, then bring it to a boil and remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
3. Combine: After the Coca-Cola mixture has cooled, pour it into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix well using a whisk until all ingredients are well incorporated. The batter will be relatively thin.
4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes (but not all the way) before adding the frosting.

5. Start the Frosting: While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a separate saucepan, add the Coca-Cola. Simmer over medium heat until it is reduced to half.
6. Add Cocoa Powder, along with butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Continue cooking over medium heat, whisking continuously until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove it from the heat.
7. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, whisking in between each addition until it is fully dissolved.

8. Adjust if Needed. The frosting should be thick, but still pourable. If it’s too thick when you try to pour it over the cake, whisk in a little bit of milk until it’s the desired consistency.
9. Pour: Add all of the frosting to the still-warm cake. It should easily level itself, but you can spread it into the corners if necessary. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Measuring is important: Baking a cake requires accurate measurements. If you need a refresher, see my post on How to Measure Ingredients for Baking.
• Make Sure to Sift the Powdered Sugar! Unsifted sugar will create a lumpy frosting. If you forget to sift it, you can rescue the frosting by mixing it with your electric mixer until the lumps are gone.
• Add the Frosting to a Warm Cake: You only need to let the cake cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring the frosting over it. The heat from the cake will melt the frosting, allowing it to seep into the top layer of the cake.
• Try Other Sodas! Dr. Pepper or Root Beer can also be used in this recipe and will give you a slightly different, but still delicious flavor. You can also try vanilla or cherry Coke instead of the original.
• Add Toppings: Try sprinkling your cake with chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
• Try Mix-Ins: Some people like to add miniature marshmallows or chocolate chips to the cake batter. I haven’t tried it, but I can’t imagine that it would be a bad thing!

Storing Tips

Store this cake in an airtight container either in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze servings of Coca-Cola Cake for up to 4 months.

What To Serve With Coca Cola Cake

This delicious chocolate cake is welcome on any occasion, but it seems to be most popular at parties, potlucks, and casual gatherings.

If you’re feeding a crowd, be sure to check out my Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Ambrosia Salad, and Funeral Potatoes recipes. They are all classic shareable dishes that are loved by everyone.

Recipe FAQs

More Easy Cake Recipes

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Hot Milk Cake

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All Cake Recipes →

This Coca Cola Cake recipe is even better than Cracker Barrel’s and easy to make! Be sure to Pin the recipe and share it with your friends.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

5 from 20 votes

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Coca Cola Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Cooling time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Author: Diana

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Print Rate Recipe

A Southern classic, Coca-Cola Cake is always a hit. A rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is easy to make with this recipe.

12 Servings

A Southern classic, Coca-Cola Cake is always a hit. A rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is easy to make with this recipe.

Equipment

• 9×13″ casserole dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing Bowl
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Offset spatula

Ingredients 

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For the cake:

• ▢ 8 oz (250 ml) Coca Cola
• ▢ 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter
• ▢ ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 large eggs at room temperature
• ▢ ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream at room temperature
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• ▢ 8 oz (250 ml) Coca Cola
• ▢ ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter cut into pieces
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar sifted (very important!)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), or 160°C for a fan oven. Spray a 9×13 inch (22×33 cm) baking dish with non-stick baking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, over medium heat combine a can of Coca-Cola with cocoa powder, butter, and salt. Let the butter melt completely, then bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• After the Coca-Cola mixture has cooled, pour it into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix well using a whisk until all ingredients are well incorporated. The batter will be relatively thin.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a separate saucepan, add the Coca-Cola. Simmer over medium heat until it is reduced to half.
• Add the butter, salt, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Set over medium heat, whisking continuously until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, whisking in between each addition until the sugar is fully dissolved.
• Once the cake is done baking, allow it to cool for a few minutes, then pour the frosting over the warm cake. If the frosting has thickened, you can add a splash of milk and warm it up while whisking on the stovetop over medium heat to become spreadable.
• Let the cake cool completely and allow the frosting to set before serving.

Notes:

• Measuring is important: Baking a cake requires accurate measurements. If you need a refresher, see my post on How to Measure Ingredients for Baking.
• Make Sure to Sift the Powdered Sugar! Unsifted sugar will create a lumpy frosting. If you forget to sift it, you can rescue the frosting by mixing it with your electric mixer until the lumps are gone.
• Add the Frosting to a Warm Cake: You only need to let the cake cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring the frosting over it. The heat from the cake will melt the frosting, allowing it to seep into the top layer of the cake.
• Try Other Sodas! Dr. Pepper or Root Beer can also be used in this recipe and will give you a slightly different, but still delicious flavor. You can also try vanilla or cherry Coke instead of the original.
• Add Toppings: Try sprinkling your cake with chopped nuts or chocolate chips. 
• To Store: Store this cake in an airtight container either in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze servings of Coca-Cola Cake for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 606kcal, Carbohydrates: 92g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 98mg, Sodium: 401mg, Potassium: 154mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 72g, Vitamin A: 814IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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