Coca Cola Cake is a rich, moist, and deeply chocolatey Southern classic that has stood the test of time. This unique dessert uses real Coca-Cola in both the cake and the frosting to create a fluffy, tender crumb and a sweet, glossy topping. With its nostalgic roots and crowd-pleasing flavor, Coca Cola Cake is perfect for potlucks, birthdays, family dinners, or whenever you want a comforting, old-fashioned treat with a fun twist.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Ultra Moist Texture: Thanks to Coca-Cola and buttermilk, the cake is soft and tender with every bite.
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Unique Flavor: The soda adds a subtle caramel note that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
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Easy to Make: This one-bowl recipe comes together quickly, with simple ingredients and no mixer required.
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Old-Fashioned Charm: A vintage Southern favorite that evokes memories of home, family, and comfort food.
Ingredients List
For the Cake
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2 cups granulated sugar
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 cup Coca-Cola (not diet)
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1 cup unsalted butter
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup buttermilk
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2 large eggs
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1½ teaspoons baking soda
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the Coca-Cola Frosting
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½ cup unsalted butter
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¼ cup Coca-Cola
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Timing & Servings
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
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Frosting Time: 10 minutes
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Cooling Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Servings: 12–16 slices
Step-by-Step Instructions for Coca Cola Cake
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
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In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt.
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Set aside while preparing the wet mixture.
Step 3: Heat the Coke Mixture
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In a saucepan, combine Coca-Cola, butter, and cocoa powder.
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Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
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Once the butter is melted and mixture is bubbling, remove from heat.
Step 4: Combine and Stir
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Pour the hot cocoa mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients.
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Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Add Remaining Wet Ingredients
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In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla.
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Add this mixture to the batter and stir gently until fully incorporated.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
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Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the frosting.
How to Make Coca-Cola Frosting
Step 1: Heat the Base
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In a small saucepan, combine butter, Coca-Cola, and cocoa powder.
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Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Step 2: Add Sugar and Vanilla
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Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
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Gradually add powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, stirring until smooth.
Step 3: Add Nuts (Optional)
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Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
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Pour the warm frosting over the slightly cooled cake.
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Use a spatula to spread evenly across the surface.
Tips for the Best Coca Cola Cake
Don’t Use Diet Soda
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Classic Coca-Cola provides the needed sugar and flavor—diet versions won’t work for this recipe.
Frost While Warm
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The warm frosting spreads best over a still-warm cake, allowing it to soak slightly into the top layer for extra moistness.
Sift Your Powdered Sugar
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For a smooth, lump-free frosting, always sift powdered sugar before mixing.
Don’t Overbake
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This cake is meant to be soft and tender.
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Start checking around the 30-minute mark.
Variations to Try
Chocolate Coca Cola Cupcakes
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Use the same batter to make 24 cupcakes.
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Reduce bake time to 18–22 minutes.
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Top with warm frosting or pipe with buttercream once cool.
Cherry Coca Cola Cake
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Replace regular Coke with Cherry Coke and add 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries to the batter.
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Top with cherry halves for decoration.
Coke Float Cake
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Serve cake slices warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a root beer float-inspired dessert.
Nut-Free Version
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Omit the nuts in the frosting if you have allergies or prefer a smoother finish.
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Add mini marshmallows instead for a fun texture.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Presentation
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Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into square slices.
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Optional dusting of powdered sugar for garnish.
With Ice Cream
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Vanilla ice cream complements the rich chocolatey flavor perfectly.
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A drizzle of chocolate syrup makes it even more indulgent.
For Parties and Potlucks
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Slice and serve directly from the pan for easy clean-up.
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Travels well and holds up for hours on a buffet table.
Plated Dessert
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Serve on decorative plates with a dollop of whipped cream and a mint leaf for an elevated twist.
Make It Ahead and Store It
Make Ahead
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Bake the cake up to 1 day in advance and store at room temperature.
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Frost just before serving or prepare frosting and reheat to pour over.
Storing Leftovers
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Store covered at room temperature for 2–3 days.
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Refrigerate for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
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Freeze unfrosted or frosted cake slices individually.
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Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
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Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2 hours.
Nutritional Overview (Approximate)
Per slice (based on 16 servings):
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Calories: 360
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Fat: 16g
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Carbohydrates: 53g
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Sugar: 38g
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Protein: 3g
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Sodium: 180mg
Note: Nutritional values will vary depending on portion size and optional ingredients used.
FAQs
Can I make Coca Cola Cake without buttermilk?
Yes. Substitute ½ cup regular milk mixed with ½ tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
What does Coca-Cola do in the cake?
It adds sweetness, moisture, and a light caramel note. The carbonation also helps the cake rise and remain tender.
Can I make this cake in a round or bundt pan?
This recipe is best suited for a 9×13-inch pan, but you can use a bundt pan if greased well. Increase baking time by 5–10 minutes.
Can I use a boxed cake mix?
Yes, but the homemade version delivers a deeper flavor. If using a mix, replace the water with Coca-Cola and follow the frosting recipe as is.
Does it taste like soda?
Not exactly. The Coca-Cola enhances the flavor but doesn’t overpower it. Most people wouldn’t guess there’s soda in the cake.
Conclusion
Coca Cola Cake is a timeless dessert that blends nostalgia with unbeatable flavor. The use of soda may seem unconventional, but it works magic in creating a soft, tender cake with a subtle caramel undertone. The warm chocolate frosting, slightly infused with cola and poured over the freshly baked cake, takes it over the top. Whether you’re baking for a family reunion, a holiday table, or just because—this cake is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.