Coca-Cola Cake
This Southern Coca Cola Cake is a classic dessert recipe that is made easy by starting with a boxed cake mix and topping it with a rich, homemade chocolate frosting!
A RICH, CHOCOLATE-Y FUDGE CAKE
If you like the Coca Cola Cake at Cracker Barrel then you’ll love this cake! Most people can’t 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. Folks in the south are familiar with this beloved cake. This is a dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Whether you’re a fan of Coke or just looking for a delicious chocolate cake recipe, Coca Cola Cake is a must-try dessert that is sure to become a family favorite!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
It is a chocolate cake made with Coca Cola soda in the batter. It is typically topped with a chocolate frosting and chopped nuts.
You can substitute with other dark sodas. Dr Pepper, Cherry Coke or Pepsi can all be used as substitutes. Even root beer!
Want to make them into cupcakes with a Coca Cola Frosting? Try my recipe for Coca Cola Cupcakes!
Want to make a homemade cake? Try my One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe and instead of the hot water in the recipe, use hot Coca Cola! Or, if you like dark chocolate, try making it with my Homemade Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe and substituting the coffee with Coca Cola.
The frosting is rich so you don’t need as much as you think. It is just the right amount for this cake; however, if you really want a thick frosting, you can certainly double the recipe.
This cake will typically last for 2 days if stored at room temperature in an airtight container. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- chocolate fudge cake mix – you can use your favorite chocolate cake here, most chocolate cake flavors work just fine
- instant chocolate pudding – make sure to grab instant and not the cook and serve, sometimes the packaging is not obvious but if you don’t get the instant, it won’t turn out.
- Coca-Cola – everyone always asks me about Diet Coke – yes, technically you can use it but I think it can sometimes add a strange flavor (just my personal taste on that)
- unsweetened cocoa – you’ll find this in the baking aisle, Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder is generally the most popular brand and the one you find in most grocery stores
- heavy cream – I love what heavy cream adds to the frosting, it really makes it so perfectly rich but you can use milk (see my notes below)
- powdered sugar – you’ll sometimes see it called confectioners sugar
- chopped nuts – I love chopped walnuts or pecans on it but my family does not so this is a personal preference (sometimes I do half and half)
HOW TO MAKE COCA COLA CAKE
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. See photo below: we won’t be adding water. Instead we will replace it with Coca Cola.
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 may have a slight dip in the center. This is normal if it happens. When it is done, a toothpick will come out clean.
In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, gently melt butter. Whisk in cocoa powder and heavy cream (or milk, if using) and stir. 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). Now, if you want, you can pop it in the fridge to get the icing to harden up a bit. Totally optional.
Slice and serve (this is delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!)
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: June 2011
Updated & republished: May 2023
Southern Coca Cola Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
For the frosting:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 4 Tablespoons heavy cream (you may need one or two more Tablespoons depending on how thin or thick you like your frosting) *see notes below
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix, 4 ounce instant chocolate pudding, 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup oil and 1 cup Coca-Cola 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 may 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 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter.
- Add in 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa and 4 Tablespoons heavy cream and stir.
- Then whisk in 2 cups powdered sugar. Stir briskly with a whisk to get all the lumps out.
- Take mixture off heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Pour frosting over cake and evenly spread it out over cake.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts on top, if using. I think this cake is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Video
Notes
- If you are using milk instead of heavy cream, you will probably only need about 3-4 Tablespoons of it because milk is thinner than heavy cream. Just use your judgement on it. Start with less and add a little at a time to get the right consistency. Or, you can always add a bit more powdered sugar to the frosting to make it thicker if you like.
- Other chocolate cake mix flavors can be used.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
could you use this to make a marble cake? Birthday coming up.Thanks, Wendy
This looks fantastic! I would never think to use soda.
Just keep these cakes comin'! chocolate cake with coke, Yum!
I had a recipe that you used cherry coke and mini chips and egg beaters. This looks so much yummier!! Plus the frosting makes it almost like Texas Sheet cake 🙂
Do you think that it would be good with flat soda? I had some in the fridge that I didn't know what to do with it.
Alison, ya know, that's a good question. I don't suppose I've ever made it with flat Coke now that I think about it. I'm not really sure if the carbonation affects the recipe at all. I know it helps with flavor (although you can't really taste the Coke in this – it just adds some good flavor). I say give it a whirl, I bet it will taste great!
How about cherry coke and maybe a little almond extract? That sound good to me.
Wow this cake looks wonderful!! I never thought to put coca cola in cake!
Thank you for this recipe, I think I'll make it for my mom's birthday this weekend. I have a question though….are you using regular or salted butter?
OKAY…I'll admit that when I saw your email today I thought, "not another dessert recipe….I've had so much sugar during the holidays!" Then I made the mistake of LOOKING at the recipe & the picture of the cake! Let's just say that I will be buying the ingredients to make it today!!!
Oh Baby! I have to admit…I'm really not a cake person..unless you dress it up…like you seem to do with all your cake recipes! This looks awesome and I'm sure it's just as tasty as all your others. SO glad you shared. Pinning!
Yum- thank you!
Hi Cindy! Hope you like it! I use unsalted butter 🙂
You can never have too many cake recipes and this looks insanely moist!
I love this recipe! It's so moist and chocolaty! If you happen to be in a part of the country that sells Cheerwine, sub the Cheerwine for the Coca-Cola. It has a hint of cherry flavor. You can even make the glaze with the Cheerwine in it – just sub it for the milk/cream. Yummy!
Mmm this cake looks amazing, what a great recipe! Happy New Year! xoxo
I've never had the cake at Cracker Barrel (who has room for dessert?!), but this sure does look good. I'd go with a slice of the cake WITH nuts. But my husband would like to have what your husband is having. 😉
I have never had this cake but I keep seeing it pop up on blogs here and there. It looks so tasty… I am just going to have to make it already. YUM!
This looks so delicious. I cannot wait to give it a try. Come visit. We have a wonderful low fat blue cheese dip to use on veges or crackers. Delicious.
Oh yum, look at all that chocolate! Aren't we all predisposed to like cake? Or at least you and I have something in common 🙂
I love this cake!! It's also one of my husband's birthday favorites that I make for him! I made it as a layer cake this year which looks pretty, but I think the moistness and gooey factor of this sheetcake tastes better! 🙂 I guess, either way you can't go wrong with chocolate!
Blessings
Leslie
I do believe I am going to have to make this. My youngest daughter was just telling me about the Cracker Barrel cake, I haven't tried it yet but this looks fabulous. Maybe I will make it for the Clemson game on Wednesday night! Thanks for the inspiration.
I was going to make this on Christmas. I ened up making the three day coconut cake. I forgot how yummy and chocolaty it was until I saw your picture. Thanks for sharing with us.
I have to make a birthday cake for a friend this week . . . gonna do this. Thanks. (And best wishes for a happy new year, Brandie!)
This is so funny! We had breakfast at cracker barrel yesterday morning and my husband saw this cake on the menu and asked if I could make it for him. Now I have a recipe!
It’s delicious. You’ll not be sorry! Haha
Girl you never ever apologize for cake. 😉 yum!