Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

Description

This Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake is incredibly moist with deep chocolate flavor and a subtle caramel note from the Coca-Cola. Topped with a warm chocolate frosting that melts into the cake, it’s a Southern favorite that’s impossible to resist.

Ingredients

For the Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup Coca-Cola (not diet)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups mini marshmallows (optional but traditional)

For the Frosting

½ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
3½–4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Heat wet ingredients: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, Coca-Cola, and cocoa powder. Stir until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
Combine: Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients: Stir in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until fully combined.
Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over the top (optional). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.

Frosting Instructions

In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa powder and Coca-Cola over medium heat.
Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in pecans if using.
Pour frosting over the cake while it’s still warm, spreading evenly.

Tips for Best Results

Use regular Coca-Cola for the best flavor—diet won’t work the same.
Frost the cake while warm so it absorbs the icing for extra moisture.
This cake tastes even better the next day!

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.