Coca Cola Cake Recipe – If you love the Cracker Barrel version, you will adore this decadent, moist, fudgy and chocolatey coke cake recipe! Absolutely irresistible!
Where did the Coca Cola Cake Recipe Originate?
I am a big fan of good ole country baking, especially when it comes to chocolate cake. This cake definitely fits in that category. This Coca Cola Cake recipe has been around for so long that I can’t even properly trace its origins. I just know that this is traditional southern baking at its best, and it makes me happy every single time I taste it. How many desserts can you truly say that about?
What Is Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake?
You may have seen a version of this cake at Cracker Barrel. Their double chocolate rendition is served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It is a nice fill in for those who don’t have the time. But trust me, make the time to bake my southern coca cola cake.
This coke cake recipe is gooey, fudgy and decadent. It will remind you of the one at Cracker Barrel but I believe this one is so much better.
What Does Coke Cake Taste Like?
While I love traditional chocolate dessert recipes like chocolate birthday cake or chocolate cupcakes or chocolate pound cake or even these Coca Cola chocolate cupcakes, I really adore this chocolate cake version more sometimes.
The texture is so perfect tender and reminds me of a chewy brownie in some ways. What helps with the tender texture is the addition of marshmallows that softens each bite. It literally melts in your mouth thanks to that and the moist additions of oil and flavor enriching butter. I love the way the cocoa powder is enhanced by the coke in the recipe. The caffeine amps up the flavor. It is perfectly balanced when served with vanilla ice cream. You will think you arrived in heaven at the pearly gates. It is THAT good!
When your spoon sinks into my southern coca-cola cake, you may hear your spoon sighing gleeful oohs and ahhs. I actually thought I did.
Coca Cola Cake Recipe (Coke Cake)
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup coca cola
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or coconut milk if desired
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp milk
- 3 tbsp Coca Cola
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 lb confectioner's sugar
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saute' pan, add coca-cola, oil, butter and cocoa and heat over medium high heat until it boils. Cut off heat once it boils.
- Next add in marshmallows and whisk together until the marshmallows melt into the mixture and set aside.
- In the bowl of your mixer, add sugar, flour and salt and mix on low. Slowly pour in hot cocoa mixture and continue mixing bringing speed up to medium speed.
- Next add in eggs, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Spray a 9x13 sheet cake pan with non-stick baking spray. Pour the cake batter into the pan and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
For the Frosting
- While cake has about 10 minutes left of baking, add remaining butter, cocoa powder, milk, coca cola, vanilla extract and confectioners sugar into a pot over medium high heat and whisk together until boiling and well mixed.
- Once cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the hot frosting on the top of the cake and let cool. Then slice and serve.
Nutrition
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Lillian says
September 28, 2018 at 6:09 pmThe way you described this cake gave me no choice but to pin it!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
October 2, 2018 at 6:46 amHooray!!!!
Francis says
August 22, 2018 at 2:39 pmThis Coca Cola cake looks so good! I want to eat my computer monitor. Great recipe!!!
Cheryl says
August 1, 2018 at 5:10 pmHaving a BBQ for 40. Can your Coca Cola cake be made ahead of time and does it freeze well?
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 18, 2018 at 10:47 amYou can definitely make ahead however I never froze this so can’t consult on that for sure on the results.
Trish says
March 13, 2017 at 12:07 pmThis looks delicious! I’m wondering if I can use diet Coke, as that’s all I have in the house right now and I’d love to bake this up this afternoon! Ha!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
March 13, 2017 at 3:14 pmSure thing! Give it a try!
Abbey says
July 7, 2015 at 5:14 amI have been making this cake for a considerable length of time and its one of my top picks. I add slashed pecans to the icing. It’s yummy!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
July 9, 2015 at 3:59 pmThat sounds fantastic!
Karina says
February 21, 2015 at 2:28 pmI can’t wait to make this recipe for my brother’s birthday! He loves coca cola. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
February 22, 2015 at 10:53 amOh I am sure he will love it Karina! Let me know how it turns out!
Carolsue says
March 3, 2014 at 1:03 amI want to win…..because it’s chocolate! Need I say more?
Monica says
March 2, 2014 at 1:16 amI love hearing about these awesome Southern desserts. Now I’m really curious!
I also love Theo chocolates…totally hooked on the their orange bar!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
March 2, 2014 at 1:20 amHooray! Yes the orange chocolate bar.
TAllen says
March 1, 2014 at 2:47 amHi,
I’m intrigued by this cake–and the sweet potato cake posted on Design Sponge. I’m glad I found your site through D*S. I am wondering if I can make this without the marshmallows and if so, is there anything that I would have to add to make up for their absence.
Thanks.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
March 1, 2014 at 3:17 amHi TAllen, thanks so much for visiting. I am so glad you found me through Design Sponge. You can definitely try this cake without the marshmallows though it would be as gooey of a finish but it will still be moist and good. I would just watch the baking time because you may need to slightly adjust.
miranda says
March 1, 2014 at 1:30 amthose chocolates.. i could make SO MANY DESERTS with these wonderful chocolates <3 <3 it's like every bakers dream just in one picture *drools*