DOUBLE FUDGE COCA-COLA CAKE
CAN I USE OTHER SODA FLAVORS?
You can substitute with other dark sodas. Dr. Pepper, Cherry Coke or Pepsi can all be used as substitutes. Even root beer!
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
CRACKER BARREL COCA COLA CAKE
My cake takes it’s cues from the Double Fudge Coca Cola Cake at Cracker Barrel. Now, most people can’t really taste the Coke as a separate ingredient in this. It just adds that extra little something special that you can’t quite put your finger on. Is it a little sweeter? Is it spongier? Is it smoother? It’s all of those things and more. Most folks in the south are familiar with this beloved cake. It’s basically a good ole chocolate-y cake with Coca Cola as one of the ingredients.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
chocolate fudge cake mix
instant chocolate pudding
eggs
vegetable oil
Coca-Cola
salted butter
unsweetened cocoa
heavy cream or milk* (see notes below)
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
chopped nuts (optional)
HOW TO MAKE CRACKER BARREL COCA-COLA CAKE:
Then whisk in confectioners sugar. Whisk briskly to get all the lumps out. Take mixture off heat and stir in vanilla extract. 
Pour frosting over warm cake and gently spread it evenly over cake. 
Sprinkle with chopped nuts (if using.)
I think this cake is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cook’s Note: If you are using milk instead of heavy cream, you will probably only need about 3-4 tbsp. of it because milk is thinner than heavy cream. Just use your judgement on it. Or, you can always add a bit more powdered sugar to the frosting to make it thicker if you like.
Enjoy!
Originally published: January 2012
Updated & Republished: March 2019
Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix
- 1 (4 oz) (small box) instant chocolate pudding
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
For the frosting:
- 1 stick salted butter, (1/2 cup)
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
- 4-6 tbsp heavy cream or milk *see notes below
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Spray 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, oil and Coke for about 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake according to package directions (usually 35-40 minutes). Note: The cake will have a slight dip in the center. This is normal. When it is done, a toothpick will come out clean.
For the frosting:
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, start melting butter.
- Add in cocoa powder and heavy cream (or milk, if using) and stir.
- Then whisk in confectioners sugar. Stir briskly with a whisk to get all the lumps out.
- Take mixture off heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour frosting over cake and evenly spread it out over cake.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts on top, if using. I think this cake is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for more delicious cake recipes. Give these a try!
7-Up Lemon Cake
One Bowl Homemade Chocolate Cake
Super Simple Melted Ice Cream Cake
Sylvia Anderson says
Do you think I could use Almond milk, mixed with some half and half for the whipping cream portion, or just half and half?
Heather Fletcher says
You're missing one key ingredient in the cake batter and that's marshmallows.
Heather
Cracker Barrel Employee 😀
Dia says
Thank you SO much. I ate this cake years ago and thought it was awesome with the best icing ever. I will definitely be making this soon. We have four generations living under one roof, food is slim at times but this seems affordable with ingredients I usually have on hand. My elderly Mother loves cake, as does my Granddaughter. Can't wait!
~Chrissie~ says
Thank you for posting a cola recipe that doesn't use buttermilk and uses a simple box mix! I was talking with my sister-in-law and got to thinking if this recipe could be made using a yellow cake mix and vanilla pudding instead. I'm only asking because my Coke of choice is vanilla Coke, but I'm sure the vanilla Coke could very easily be used instead of regular Coke in this chocolate cake! Thanks again for the easy recipe!
Anonymous says
Amazingly moist! It tastes like brownies and it light and fluffy. Frosting is amazing!
Sue says
I have a Willams Sonoma ‘Great Cupcake Pan’ and wonder what modifications I would have to make. Please help. Love your recipes
Brandie @ The Country Cook says
Hi Sue! I’m so sorry – I have never baked with that pan so I can’t really say. It might just need to be an experiment with the timing. Perhaps someone else on here will know! 🙂
Steph S says
Thanks for sharing! I normally make my Coca Cola cake from scratch and being so pressed for time , I’m definitely gonna try this TODAY!1 Thanks!
Sharon Rasmussen says
Hey Brandie – first of all THANKS SO MUCH for using a cake mix! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve discarded tasty sounding cake recipes because they were “scratch” cakes and I don’t keep all those ingredients on hand! And second – I got tickled reading your icing directions directions to “whisk” in the cocoa powder; “whisk” in the cream, “whisk” in the confectioners sugar; and “whisk” it good to get the lumps out. Whew! Thankfully the vanilla just gets stirred in, haha! Just teasing you honey. ☺
Can’t wait to make this cake for my son next time he visits. He loves homemade desserts and this one will knock his socks off. Thanks for sharing Brandie.
Brandie @ The Country Cook says
Ha! With all that whisking, it sounds like I’m selling my own brand of whisks, huh? LOL. Thanks so much Sharon!!
Cindy says
Would this recipe work in a Bundt pan? Just a thought, would love to know what you think.. I cant wait to make this cake!
Kate Swanson says
I made it in a bundt cake as directed and it was amazing. It came out a little underdone so that it was nice and moist and gooey too. Highly recommend.
Brandie @ The Country Cook says
Love getting feedback like that Kate! It’s always super helpful to others. Thank you!!
Cindy says
I would like to make this cake for a party this weekend and wanted to know if this would work in a Bundt pan? I look forward to your reply.
Judy says
I would love to make this can I use unsalter butter als can I make this in a bandit pan will let you know how it turns and by the way I will be making your 7 up bandit cake next week looking forward hearing from you thank for your great recipes you go girl keep them coming my way hope you have a great weekend
Regina says
I’ve made this cake two times within the last three weeks. My husband’s not a big chocolate cake fan, but he has proclaimed this cake as his favorite cake of all time! It’s my favorite, too, and I love chocolate cake. I just make it for the second time this morning, which prompted me to come on here and leave a comment about how wonderful (and easy!) this recipe is! Thank you! You’re my favorite food blogger! <3
Flo says
Can you use diet Coke in this recipe or does it have to be regular Coke?
Alicia says
Can’t wait to try…I’m trying this for Bunco tomorrow… can you make it with Diet Coke and use a bundt pan? would the icing work for a bundt drizzle?
Thanks!
Alicia
Beverly says
Do I have to use cooking spray? When a recipe calls for greasing the pan, I usually use shortening. I’m planning on baking this on Saturday for my husband’s birthday.
Mary says
Don’t EVER apologize for loving cake!!
Lola says
Wow!! What a amazing cake this is!!
I made it yesterday and I had one piece and my husband has half gone already! He loves it. This cake is so delicious and easy to make. The frosting is as easy and soo yummy! We now have a new sweet that we both love! Thank you for sharing!
The Hanna’s in North Dakota.♥️