Coca-Cola Cake

Name: Coca-Cola Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Yield: 15 serving(s)
Ingredients: Nonstick baking spray; 2 4-oz. semisweet chocolate bars, chopped; 2 c. granulated sugar; 3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 2 c. all-purpose flour; 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp. baking soda; 3/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1 c. full-fat buttermilk; 1 c. Coca-Cola; 2 tsp. vanilla extract; 12 oz. can Coca-Cola; 1/2 c. unsalted butter; 1 lb. powdered sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 18 red maraschino cherries with stems; White sprinkles

This retro dessert is still as light, fluffy, and delicious as ever!

By Hannah KlingerPublished: Jan 10, 2023

2 Ratings

Jump to recipe

Will Dickey

Yields:

15 serving(s)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 55 mins

Coca-Cola cake is a Southern retro darling that's just as beloved now as it was when it was invented in the 1950s, and maybe even more so! Believe it or not, the original recipe came from a home cook's kitchen and was not a marketing ploy to sell more soda (though the company should have given her a lifetime supply). Coca-Cola in the batter makes this chocolate dessert incredibly light and tender. It goes in the glaze as well to give this homemade cake its signature crackly icing top. Be sure to add it while warm so it spreads in a thin, even layer on top. Add a bright red cherry and jimmy sprinkles for a slice that could have come right out of the case at any diner!

Why do people put Coke in cake?

The bubbles in the Coca-Cola give the cake a little extra rise for a lighter texture. The soda also adds a subtle caramel flavor that goes so well with chocolate. Like a wacky cake, some recipes for Coca-Cola cake skip the eggs (we've kept them here to add body to the batter and make the cake nice and rich).

How do you cut a sheet cake into clean slices?

Let the glaze set and the cake cool completely, then use a kitchen knife to cut down and across the cake in one sure stroke (rather than sawing back and forth). Wipe the knife clean with a kitchen towel in between cuts.

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

Nonstick baking spray
2 4-oz. semisweet chocolate bars, chopped
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup full-fat buttermilk
1 cup Coca-Cola
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

12 oz. can Coca-Cola
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Garnish:

18 red maraschino cherries with stems
White sprinkles

Directions

1. Step 1 For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
2. Step 2Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is almost smooth with some unmelted bits remaining. Remove the chocolate from the microwave. Stir until the residual heat fully melts the chocolate and the mixture is smooth (microwave an additional 15 seconds, if needed).
3. Step 3Beat the sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the melted chocolate until well combined.
4. Step 4Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add one-third of the flour mixture to the mixer and beat on low until just combined. Add 1/2 cup of the buttermilk and beat on low until just combined. Repeat the process with one-third of the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of the buttermilk. Add the remaining one third of the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
5. Step 5Microwave the Coca-Cola in a medium bowl until hot and bubbling, about 45 seconds. With the mixer on low speed, gradually stream in the coca cola. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
6. Step 6 Bake the cake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack.
7. Step 7For the glaze: About 15 minutes before the cake is finished baking, in a small saucepan, bring the Coca-Cola to a boil over medium-high. Boil until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Whisk in the butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until melted and well combined. Pour the cocoa cola mixture in a medium heat proof bowl. Add the powdered sugar and whisk until the glaze is smooth. Pour the glaze over the hot cake and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
8. Step 8For the garnish: Cut the cake into 15 pieces. Top each slice with a cherry and sprinkle with white sprinkles.

Tip: The cake can be made up to one day in advance and stored, tightly covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature. Serve with coffee, milk, or vanilla ice cream.

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