Coca-Cola Cake is a Southern classic. It’s a decadent old-fashioned chocolate cake with rich chocolate frosting that never disappoints.
If you like this cake, you may want to try our lunch lady brownies, old-fashioned sweet chocolate pie, and our Southern chocolate pound cake.
Table of contents
- β€ WHY WE LOVE THIS CAKE
- π΄ KEY INGREDIENTS
- π©π³ HOW TO MAKE
- β FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- π MORE OLD-FASHIONED RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
β€WHY WE LOVE THIS CAKE
This is a chocolate lover’s dream cake, and makes me happy just to have it in the house! There are lots of recipes for this cake, but this one is my favorite. The classic cake is so moist because of the coke and buttermilk, and the frosting is fudgy and delicious! The marshmallows are a must in this cake! I promise you’re gonna love this old-fashioned Southern cake.
π΄KEY INGREDIENTS
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon (Optional) (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)
- Butter
- Coca-Cola (I always use regular Coke, do not use diet)
- Pure cocoa
- Buttermilk
- Baking soda
- Miniature marshmallows
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- Butter
- 100% pure cocoa
- Coca-cola
- Powdered sugar ( Note: 1 pound of unsifted powdered sugar= about 4 1/4 cups. 1 lb. of sifted powdered sugar = about 4 3/4 cups. I used 4 cups of unsifted powdered sugar, and it works fine for this frosting)
- Vanilla extract
- Pecans or nuts of your choice (Optional)
SUBSTITUTES
βPlease see the comments on this cake to see how others have used different colas in it. Many have had great success with cherry coke, and several loved it with Sprite.
π©π³HOW TO MAKE
This cake is so easy; you don’t even have to pull out the mixer!
COOKING
Step 1: Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.
Step 2: Combine butter, 1 cup of Coca-Cola, and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil, stirring often.
Step 3: Remove from heat and pour over the flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.
Step 4: Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into the cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring (your marshmallows will not melt). Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
Step 5: Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness.
FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS
Bring margarine, cocoa, and Coca-Cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until the frosting is of a spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle them on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.
βPRO TIP
Make the frosting while the cake is in the oven baking. Then, you’re ready to frost the cake while it’s still warm.
βFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I don’t like Buttermilk. Can I use regular milk?
Buttermilk is an essential ingredient when baking. It adds flavor and texture to cakes. You don’t taste the buttermilk. I don’t recommend using regular milk; it will change the texture and moisture of this cake. However, if you don’t have buttermilk, here is a substitute that will work.
Does it taste like Coke?
Ironically, no! You don’t taste Coca-Cola in this cake. It just produces a very moist cake with a fudge-like frosting.
STORING AND FREEZING
Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can easily freeze this cake. Just bake and frost it, and then I do recommend cutting it. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
πMORE OLD-FASHIONED RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
Old Fashioned Water Pie
Also known as Depression Pie, this one is so easy and so good!
Southern Jam Cake
This cake is a holiday tradition in our family! It’s fantastic!
Old Fashioned Tomato Soup Cake
This cake was on the back of a Campbell Soup can years ago!
Southern Coca Cola Cake
Leigh Walkup
Coca-Cola cake is a southern classic. This old-fashioned chocolate cake is decadent and the frosting is delicious. No doubt this coca-cola cake will quickly become a family favorite!
4.82 from 32 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, southern
Servings 10 servings
Ingredients
1x2x3x
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)
- 1 cup butter or margarine or two sticks or 16 tablespoons
- 1 cup coca cola I always use regular coke and have not tried it with any other kind
- 3 tablespoons 100% pure cocoa
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting for Coca Cola Cake
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine or 1 stick or 8 tablespoons
- 3 tablespoon 100% pure cocoa
- 6 tablespoons coca cola
- 1 1 pound package powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans or nuts of your choice Optional
Instructions
Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.
Combine butter, the 1 cup of coca cola and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil stirring often.
Remove from heat and pour over flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.
Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring.(Your marshmallows will not melt) Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness. Frost.
Frosting Instructions
Bring margarine, cocoa and coca cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until frosting is of spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.
Video
Notes
1 pound of unsifted powdered sugar= about 4 1/4 cups. 1 lb. of sifted powdered sugar = about 4 3/4 cups. I used 4 cups of unsifted powdered sugar and it worked fine in this frosting
Keyword Coca Cola Cake
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