Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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Southerners love their Coca Cola Chocolate Cake! Marshmallows and soda pop may seem like odd ingredients to use in a cake, but in the South, they are the real thing. This moist and rich chocolate sheet cake is a regular staple for social gatherings and celebrations. The addition of the cola adds an additional sweetness and the carbonation adds an airiness to the texture of the cake. Since I love all things chocolate, I was ready to dive in head first to try this cake.

The traditional recipes for Coca Cola cakes that I found, use marshmallows and an icing that is supposed to be spread on the hot cake straight out of the oven. The icing partially melts into the hot cake to help create the sticky texture. I found this cake easy to make and after enjoying my first piece, I can definitely see why Southerners love this chocolate, gooey goodness!

Basic Rules For Baking and Secrets Of A Successful Cake. Also check out more great Cake Recipes.

History of Coca-Cola Cake:

In the deep South, drinking Coca-Cola soda pop is a religion. It is such a staple in the Southern culture that most Southerners refer to Coca-Cola and all soda pop for that matter as just “co*ke.” Because of this Coca-Cola love, it seems natural that the Coca-Cola cake also finds its origins in the south. It is very common to go to a church social or family reunion and find a Coca-Cola sheet cake on the dessert section of the buffet table.

“Of all the recipes, the most widespread, according to the Coca Cola Company, is one for a gooey chocolate cake with miniature marshmallows, pecans and probably more calories per square inch than anyone can count.”

It is unclear to researchers if Coca-Cola cake was a created in a home kitchen or a clever way for The Coca-Cola Company to market their soda. Historians have found newspaper articles to confirm that using cola in cake recipes originated in the Southern United States. The earliest reference to a Coca-Cola Cake recipe appears in 1950’s Cookbooks and was brought to the forefront again in the 1990’s.

1952 – First reference found to a published recipe: Chocolate Cola Cake recipe published in the Charleston Gazette, August 8, 1952 (p.20), “Unusual’ dishes awarded second, third place in contest“ Mrs. E.D. Greer or Lillybrook, W.VA. supplied the recipe

1997 – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, founded in the south, was looking for ways to further incorporate Coca-Cola into their menu. They came across the classic Coca-Cola cake recipe, increased the cocoa ratio and reintroduced it as Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. They decided to offer this dessert for limited periods on their menu. The cake became so popular with customers that Cracker Barrel would continue to receive requests, letters and phone calls asking for the cake to be on the regular menu all year. Finally in 2009, Cracker Barrel made the Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake a permanent menu item and it has become their signature dessert. When you mention Cracker Barrel, people strongly associate the Coca-Cola Cake.

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Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe:

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:Southern

Keyword:Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe

Servings: 8 to 10 servings

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake:

  • 1cupCoca Cola soda
  • 1/2cupbuttermilk*
  • 2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
  • 2cups all-purposeflour
  • 1/4cup unsweetenedcocoapowder
  • 1teaspoonbaking soda
  • 1cupsalted butter,softened
  • 1 3/4cups granulatedsugar
  • 2eggs
  • 1 1/2cupsminiature marshmallows

Coca Cola Chocolate Icing:

  • 1/2cupbutter,room temperature or softened
  • 1/3cupCoca Cola soda
  • 3tablespoons unsweetenedcocoapowder
  • 4cupspowdered sugar(confectioners' sugar)
  • 2teaspoonspure vanilla extract

Instructions

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and dust with flour a 13- x 9-inch baking pan.

  2. In a small bowl, combine coca-cola soda, buttermilk and vanilla extract; set aside.

  3. In medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda; set aside.

  4. In large bowl, on low speed, beat together the butter and sugar until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until blended. Starting with the flour mixture, beat in a little at a time alternating with the Coca-Cola mixture until you have ended with the flour mixture. Continue to beat for 2 additional minutes until the batter is light and fluffy. Stir in the marshmallows. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. It is normal for the marshmallows to float to the top of the cake batter when cooking.

  5. Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe, Whats Cooking America (3)

  6. Bake approximately 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the cooking (once you reach 30 minutes, check cake every few minutes until done). Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean or when theinternal temperatureregisters approximately 205 to 209 degrees F. on yourcooking thermometer.

  7. While the cake is baking, prepare the Coca Cola Chocolate Icing. Do not make the frosting in advance, as you you need to pour it over the cake shortly after baking.

  8. Remove cake from the oven to a cooling rack. While the cake is still hot, pour the prepared Chocolate Icing over cake and spread evenly to cover the cake. Let cake cool completely before serving. Serve alone or accompanied by vanilla ice cream.

  9. Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe, Whats Cooking America (6)

  10. Topping Suggestion: Coarsely-chopped Pecans sprinkled on top of chocolate icing (optional).

  11. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Coca Cola Chocolate Icing Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the butter, Coca-Cola soda, and cocoa powder until butter has melted. Whisk in the powder sugar, one cup at a time, and then add the vanilla extract. Stir until icing is smooth.

Recipe Notes

*For buttermilk substitute: In liquid measuring cup, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, pour in milk to the 1 cup line. Let stand for 5 minutes then use the amount you need for your recipe.

I get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer.Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

You can learn more or buy yours at:Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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History References:
FAQs: Cakes- Cola Cakes, by the Food Timeline, Colacake – Yes it’s true, Cooking with co*ke, by Dena Kleinman, New York Times, June 6, 1190 (p.C6)

History of Cracker Barrel’s Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, by Nora Zelevansky, May 30, 2013

Recipe Source:
I slightly adapted this Coca-Cola cake recipe featured on the Coca-Cola Company website. Recipe contributed by Lee Avery Catts to Atlanta Cooknotes, published by The Junior League of Atlanta.

Related Recipes

Categories:

Baking Cakes History Chocolate Cakes Chocolate Recipes Deep South Dessert Recipes

Comments and Reviews

Coca Cola Chocolate Cake Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

What is Coca-Cola cake made of? ›

Ingredients for Coca-Cola Cake

For the cake: all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, Coca-Cola, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.

Why does soda cake work? ›

The carbon dioxide bubbles in soda pop act as a leavening agent — the element that makes baked goods rise and makes them light and fluffy. Kitchen staple leaveners — like baking soda and baking powder — use a chemical reaction to create carbon dioxide bubbles.

Why is my chocolate cake dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard. For best results, I would encourage you to use a scale when baking, but if you don't have a scale, then just make sure you're using measuring cups correctly.

What are the 3 main ingredients in Coca-Cola? ›

The main ingredients of co*ke that have remained consistent are: sugar, water, caffeine, coca leaves, and corn syrup (Elmore, 2014).

Why is my chocolate cake not fluffy? ›

Room Temperature Butter / Don't Over-Cream

Most cakes begin with creaming butter and sugar together. Butter is capable of holding air and the creaming process is when butter traps that air. While baking, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffy cake. No properly creamed butter = no air = no fluffiness.

Is it better to bake a cake at 325 or 350? ›

Baking at a lower temperature yields a lighter crust. And not only is the crust lighter, it's more tender, as well. Notice the thicker, darker crust from the cake baked at 350°F (above left), compared to the crust from the cake baked at 325°F.

Why is my chocolate cake still wet inside? ›

A cake that's wet in the middle, in most cases, has not baked long enough. Put it back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

What happens if you skip baking soda in a cake? ›

If you bake a cake without baking soda or any other leavening agent, the cake will not rise much, if at all. The absence of baking soda can result in a dense and flat cake with a heavy texture. It may lack the light and airy consistency that is typically associated with cakes.

What happens if you don't put enough baking soda in a cake? ›

Baking soda is a strong leavening agent and it is important to always use the exact amount called for in the recipe. While not enough baking soda will give an inadequate rise and a heavy finished product, adding too much will cause baked goods to fall and leave a metallic, soapy taste behind.

Is there a substitute for an egg in a cake mix? ›

Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

What does adding coffee to chocolate cake do? ›

Coffee is made for baking. Its rich, bittersweet flavour adds depth to cakes, cheesecakes, pies, cookies, muffins, loaves, and soufflés. It boosts the chocolatey appeal of Fudge Layer Cake with Chocolate Avocado Icing, Coffee Brownies and soft, fudgy Coffee Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

How do you keep chocolate cake moist? ›

Adding extra wet ingredients like yoghurt or sour cream can really help your cake retain moisture, especially if you're cooking with chocolate which is notorious for drying out a bake.

Why is my chocolate cake crumbly but moist and dry? ›

Cocoa powder absorbs a lot of moisture from your cake – even more than flour. While it's great for getting a rich, chocolatey flavour, too much can make your cake crumbly. Always stick to the amount in the recipe to make sure you don't use too much and dry out your cake.

Where did Coca-Cola cake come from? ›

It is unclear to researchers if Coca-Cola cake was a created in a home kitchen or a clever way for The Coca-Cola Company to market their soda. Historians have found newspaper articles to confirm that using cola in cake recipes originated in the Southern United States.

What does soda cake taste like? ›

It depends. If you're making a vanilla cake mix with strawberry Fanta, the taste will be different than a traditionally-prepared vanilla cake. But a lemon cake mix with lemon soda? You might not notice too much of a flavor difference.

What are cake pops made of? ›

It's cake and frosting mixed together to form a truffle-like ball. Pop a stick in it and dunk into coating. Yep, it's weirdly delicious and awesome and you need to embrace it.) Once the two are mixed together, it's time to roll the mixture into balls.

Can Coca-Cola be used in baking? ›

Mix the soda with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a tasty marinade. Baked goods: Coca-Cola can be added to cakes, cupcakes, and brownies to add moisture and flavor. Replace some of the liquid called for in the recipe with Coca-Cola. Sauces: Coca-Cola can be used as a base for barbecue sauces and other savory sauces.

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