Coca Cola Cake Recipe

This Coca Cola Cake Recipe is a fudgy and moist recipe, which features Coca-Cola and miniature marshmallows. It’s a vintage Southern classic, ready in about 1 hour.

Jump to Recipe

Coca Cola Cake Recipe Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

• 4 oz butter
• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 1 oz baking chocolate
• 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb butter
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 6 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How To Make Coca Cola Cake Recipe

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Make the cola mix: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 oz butter with the Coca-Cola and baking chocolate. Bring the mixture to a soft boil. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the miniature marshmallows until they are fully melted. Let the mixture cool slightly.
3. Mix the wet base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening, vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add the eggs and buttermilk. Mix until the batter is smooth.
4. Stir in the dry stuff: In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
5. Finish the batter: Add half of the dry mixture to the wet base and beat. Then, pour in the cooled cola/marshmallow mixture and beat again. Finally, add the remaining dry mix. Beat for 3–4 minutes until the batter is completely smooth and well aerated.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Frost while warm: While the cake is baking (or just as it comes out), prepare the frosting. Mix the frosting butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth. Spread the frosting over the warm cake to create that signature glossy, fudge-like finish.

Recipe Tips

• Why marshmallows?: The marshmallows in the batter completely dissolve during baking, leaving behind no texture but adding a unique sweetness and keeping the cake incredibly moist and sticky (in a good way).
• Frosting timing: Unlike most cakes where you must wait for them to cool, a Coca-Cola cake must be frosted while warm. The heat from the cake melts the bottom layer of the frosting, fusing it to the cake and creating a gooey interface.
• The Chocolate: Using solid baking chocolate in the syrup provides a richer depth of flavor than using cocoa powder alone.
• Buttermilk substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, fill to the 3/4 cup line with regular milk, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Drink the rest: This recipe uses exactly 1 cup of soda. A standard can is 12 oz (1.5 cups), so you’ll have a little left over to sip while you bake!

What To Serve With Coca Cola Cake Recipe

This rich, chocolatey sheet cake is a staple at Southern potlucks.

• A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (to cut the richness)
• Chopped pecans or walnuts (sprinkled on top)
• A glass of cold milk
• Fresh strawberries

How To Store Coca Cola Cake Recipe

• Room Temperature: Cover the cake pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake stays very moist thanks to the soda and marshmallows.
• Refrigerate: You can refrigerate the cake to extend its life to 5-6 days, but it may dry out slightly.
• Freeze: This cake freezes well. Cut into squares, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before eating.

Coca Cola Cake Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 520
• Total Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 320mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 72g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 55g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per slice (based on 12 slices).

FAQs