This old fashioned Coca Cola cake recipe is quite possibly the easiest chocolate cake ever and one I've made so many times I know it by hear. It doesn't even require an electric mixer! Coca Cola is the not-so-secret ingredient in both the chocolatey cake and the fudgy icing, providing the ultimate tender texture and crave-able topping.
My favorite part about this moist chocolate cake though is that you pour the warm chocolate frosting over the top of the hot cake and let it cool; no fussy decorating necessary.
I'm a Georgia girl, so you better believe Coca-Cola is my soda of choice. Add that to a dessert recipe, and I'll be the first person in line to try it. I grew up eating this cake; my mom would make it for us at home and for the bed and breakfast she and my dad owned.
Sometimes she would add chopped pecans and sometimes she made it like the recipe here. Either way, this is one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes of all time, and I'm pretty sure it'll be yours too.
This cake is a fantastic option to bring to a potluck, and you'll be very popular if you do. Other great get-together recipes for the holidays or anytime of year are my baked macaroni and cheese, bacon and blue cheese potato salad, and homemade banana pudding recipes.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this Coca-Cola cake recipe:
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking soda
- salted butter
- Coca Cola
- whole buttermilk
- cocoa powder
- large eggs
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
(See recipe card for quantities.)
Instructions
Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to get baking!
- First, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl. Bring the butter, cola, buttermilk, and cocoa powder to a bowl in a medium saucepan. Add to the flour mixture in the bowl and stir to combine.
- Next, whisk in the eggs and vanilla until the batter is smooth.
- Then, pour the batter into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350°F for 32 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Finally, make the frosting: Bring the butter, cola, and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Pour the warm frosting over the hot cake. Let the cake cool to room temperature before cutting into squares and serving.
Hint: Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting ingredients to prevent lumps. If you forget to do this step and your frosting is lumpy, pulse it in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Substitutions
Looking for some ways to change up this recipe? Check out these substitution options:
- Coca Cola - I'm from Georgia, so of course I'm a Coca-Cola girl. (Coca-Cola headquarters is in Atlanta.) If you want to substitute another cola, like Dr. Pepper or Cheerwine, go for it. The cake will just differ in flavor.
- Buttermilk - For this recipe, I use whole buttermilk. Use low-fat buttermilk if you prefer.
- Butter - I prefer to use salted butter to balance the sweetness of the cake. If you only have unsalted butter, that's okay. Just add ½ teaspoon kosher salt to the cake batter and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to the frosting.
- A la Mode - This decadent chocolate cake is also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each serving.
Variations
Here are some more fun twists for this delicious chocolate cake recipe:
- Nuts - Sprinkle the top of the cake with toasted pecans or walnuts to add a nutty crunch.
- Mississippi Mud Cake - Sprinkle the top with miniature marshmallows and nuts to make this a Mississippi Mud Cake.
- Cherry Cola Cake - Cherry Coke is a great twist for this recipe. You can also garnish with maraschino cherries.
- Coffee Cola Cake - Espresso powder naturally brings out the flavor of chocolate. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso powder to the cake batter to add more richness and a delicate coffee flavor.
Equipment
Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:
- dry measuring cups
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- whisk
- sifter
- medium saucepan
- large mixing bowl
- 13- x 9-inch baking pan
- rubber spatula
Storage
Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze the cake in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Tasty Tip
Don't be tempted to use diet Coke or other diet soda for this recipe. Heating aspartame will cause it to turn into toxic chemicals that are very harmful to consume.
Frequently asked questions
Coca-Cola has been a household staple for a long time. Not only were people enjoying it as a refreshing beverage, but it also made its way into recipes. The first Coco-Cola cake was made in the 1950s and then became a popular menu item in the 1990s at Cracker Barrel.
The carbonation in Coke gives the cake a better rise and delicious tender texture. It also helps activate the baking soda while adding unique flavor. Using it in the frosting also makes it fudgy.
Coca-Cola was discovered on accident when John Pemberton was creating a medicinal tonic. It was originally called "Pemberton's French Wine Coca" but changed to Coca-Cola in 1886, referring to the two main ingredients in the soda: coca leaves and kola nuts.
Because this cake has buttermilk in it (an acidic ingredient), baking soda is needed to counteract and lift the cake.
While the flavors of this cake are similar to what you use to make Texas sheet cake, this cake is taller and doesn't have nuts in it.
The main difference is the size of the pan you use to bake the cake. A sheet cake is made in a rimmed baking sheet while this cake is made in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish or pan so it's a taller cake.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with chocolate Coca Cola cake:
🍽Get the recipe
Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Coca Cola Cake
Equipment
- dry measuring cups
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- whisk
- sifter
- medium saucepan
- large mixing bowl
- 13- x 9-inch baking pan
- rubber spatula
Ingredients
For the Coca-Cola cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1 cup Coca Cola
- ½ cup whole buttermilk
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the chocolate fudge frosting:
- ¾ cup salted butter
- ¾ cup Coca Cola
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish or baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Combine 1 cup of butter, 1 cup Coca Cola, the buttermilk, and ¼ cup cocoa in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil. Add to the flour mixture and stir until smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, whisking until the yellow disappears after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 32 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting: Bring the butter, cola, and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.
- Pour the warm frosting over the hot cake. Let stand at room temperature until cooled. Cut into squares to serve.
Video
Notes
Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:
- Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
- When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
- I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
- When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Keep these few food safety things in mind when making this recipe
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw eggs
- Wash hands after touching raw eggs
- Don't leave leftovers sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Maggie says
Soo yum!! Will be making again!
AshleyFreeman says
Woohoo! Doing a happy dance over here!
Liz Berg says
Wow!!! This cake was so moist, tender and delicious!!! It was devoured in no time by my chocoholic family!!!
AshleyFreeman says
That's what I love to hear, Liz! Thanks so much for sharing!
Elisa says
My kiddos loved this cake, super fluffy and delicious! Thanks!
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! I'm so glad it was a hit!
Nora says
Oh wow, this cake sounds like pure comfort on a plate! 🍫 I love the nostalgic touch of using Coca-Cola. It’s such a fun twist and makes the cake so unique. That fudgy frosting on top has me absolutely craving a slice right now!
AshleyFreeman says
It's soo good. You won't be disappointed!
Martha Dick says
Can you bake this cake in round layer cake pans?
AshleyFreeman says
Hi Martha! Yes, you can. Two round cake pans are equivalent to the 13x9 pan. The baking times will be shorter so be sure to reduce those and then divide the frosting evenly between the two pans.
Ramona says
This chocolate and Coca-Cola cake is divine. My daughter helped me make it and really tucked in when it was ready. All she said was, "Wow! It is very nice indeed."
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! I'm so glad y'all liked it!
April disharoon says
Ashley we do this cake with Dr pepper as well also live in Georgia and as you would say here in the south we know what to do with some food bbq is outta this world as well low country boils for family get togethers and the long summer nights with sweet tea or fresh made lemonade sweet childhood memories with this one thanks
AshleyFreeman says
Hi April! I love the idea to use Dr. Pepper. I'll have to try that! And love that we share all those Georgia things 🙂
Juyali says
Growing up in Venezuela, we used to make a cake with sprite. This recipe remind me of that, so I had to try it! Glad I did. 🙂 Yummy.
AshleyFreeman says
So fun! I'm so glad this brought back a happy memory. Thanks for giving it a try!
Kim Beaulieu says
The kids went crazy for this cake. It's so easy to make and the flavor was outstanding!
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that!
Nora says
Chocolate and coke combined in a cake. So good!
AshleyFreeman says
The best!
Nicole Kendrick says
This is one of the best chocolate cakes I've ever made. The Coca Cola gives it such a great texture.
AshleyFreeman says
It really does! Thanks so much for your kind words! 🙂