Coca-Cola Cake Recipe
Coca-Cola cake is where rich, chocolatey, and moist collide in mouthwatering goodness. Add a fudgy Coca-Cola glaze to the mix, and you’ve got dessert perfection.
If 7UP makes an iconic pound cake, why can’t Coca-Cola do the same thing? It made sense to me. With some of my family being on a health-food kick, I’ve had leftover Coke after gatherings. You know that fizz doesn’t last.
Adding it to a chocolate cake made it epic. Coca-Cola (or any store brand cola) and buttermilk make an ultra-moist cake every time. Think of this chocolate lover’s dream as a lighter version of devil’s food cake with subtle caramel, vanilla, and spice flavors. What’s not to love?
What Coca-Cola Does for Chocolate Cake
Suzy Homemakers have long been embracing convenience in the kitchen. So, when soda pop became popular, it was only a matter of time before it ended up in cake recipes. The carbonation makes a cake light and helps it rise.
Pouring a bottle of soda into a cake mix meant saving time and money in most cases. In fact, many cake + soda recipes can omit eggs, oil, and sometimes even baking soda. In this recipe, we’re adding this classic carbonated drink, not to replace those classic cake ingredients but to enhance their effect.
How to Make Coca-Cola Cake
- Dry Base – In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. (Photo 1)
- Reduce – Pour the Coca-Cola into a small saucepan and cook for about 15 minutes until it reduces to 1½ cups. (Photo 2)
- Add butter and cocoa powder. Bring to barely a boil, stirring occasionally. (Photos 3-4)
- Pour the Coca-Cola mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. (Photos 5-6)
- Assemble – In a small bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla, then whisk them into the Coca-Cola batter until just combined. (Photos 7-9)
- Bake – Pour the cake batter into a greased 9″x13″ sheet pan and bake in a 350℉ (175℃) oven for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. (Photo 10)
- Glaze – While baking the cake, pour Coca-Cola into a small saucepan and simmer until reduced to ½ cup (about 10 minutes). Then, stir in butter, salt, and cocoa until the butter melts. Remove from heat. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar until the glaze is smooth. (Photos 11-14)
- Serve – Pour immediately over the hot cake. Let cool slightly, then serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
Recipe Twists
- Use a different soda. For subtle flavor variations, try making this cake with Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, or another favorite soda.
- Add marshmallows. Many Coca-Cola cake recipes have you add a cup of mini marshmallows to the batter before baking. I prefer it without, but feel free to add them in!
- Top with nuts. Walnuts, pecans, or candied pecans, if you please. It adds a nice crunch. Plus, nuts and chocolate are always a good combo.
- Use a cake mix. Replace the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder with two 13.5-ounce boxes of chocolate cake mix. You may need to adjust the cake batter’s consistency with just a teaspoon or two of Coca-Cola.
Tips and Tricks
- If the glaze is too thick, add a little more Coca-Cola (a teaspoon at a time) until it reaches the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more sifted confectioners’ sugar.
- Warm the eggs and buttermilk to room temperature because it creates a smoother batter.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Coca-Cola cake is perfect for making ahead. After it cools, the cake will last at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure to cover it to prevent it from drying out—the same works for leftovers.
The cake also freezes well for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
What Goes With Coca-Cola Cake
This simple yet delicious cake is a great follow-up dessert for almost any meal. Take the presentation to the next level by decorating each slice with homemade whipped cream and maraschino cherries. I like to serve it with a nice hot drink like coffee, ginger tea, or a chai tea latte.