Coca-Cola Cake Recipe – Immaculate Bites

Why Put Coca-Cola in Chocolate Cake?

Suzy Homemakers have long been embracing convenience in the kitchen. So, when soda pop got popular, it was only a matter of time before it ended up in cake recipes. The carbonation makes a cake light and airy and helps it rise. Besides, it will save you money, as well as a trip to Cracker Barrel for a chocolate cake with Coca-Cola.

Pouring a bottle of soda into a cake mix meant saving time and money in most cases. In fact, many cake + soda recipes 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.

Ingredient List

1. Coca-Cola – The star of this sheet cake, Coke (or a store-brand cola), makes the cake light and airy. While the final product doesn’t taste like Coca-Cola, it does add lovely and subtle flavor notes. 👌
2. Cake Ingredients – Get out your cake-baking basics: flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. Cocoa Powder – To give this cake a delightfully chocolate flavor, grab your favorite unsweetened cocoa powder. The higher the quality of the powder, the tastier the cake.
4. Buttermilk – Buttermilk adds tang and moisture to the cake. 
5. Cinnamon is an optional ingredient, and I love what it does for the overall flavor of this cake.
6. Chocolate Coca-Cola Glaze – More decadence never hurts. More Coke, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder with butter to make it creamy.

How to Make Coca-Cola Cake

Make the Cake

• Preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃).
• Dry Ingredient 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 and Frost

• Bake – Pour the cake batter into a greased 9″x13″ sheet pan and bake 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

1. Use a different soda. For subtle flavor variations, try making this cake with Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, or another favorite soda. 
2. Add marshmallows. Many Coca-Cola cake recipes have you add a cup of mini marshmallows to the batter before baking. I prefer this cake without, but feel free to add them in! 
3. 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. 😉
4. Coca-Cola cake with 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

1. 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.
2. Warm the eggs and buttermilk to room temperature because it creates a smoother batter.
3. Please don’t use flat soda. We need the bubbles to lighten up our cake! 🫧

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. ☕️

More Craveable Cake Recipes to Try

1. Red Velvet Cake
2. Caramel Cake
3. Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
4. Chocolate Mayonaisse Cake
5. 7UP Pound Cake