Coca Cola Cake Recipe

The first time I served this Coca Cola Cake at a family cookout, the pan was scraped clean before I could even grab a fork for myself.

It is a fudgy, chocolatey sheet cake made with real Coca-Cola, tender mini marshmallows, and a warm pecan icing poured over the top while the cake is still hot.

This old-school Southern favorite has been showing up at church suppers, birthday parties, and summer potlucks for decades, and one bite tells you why.

The cola adds a faint caramel tang and keeps the crumb incredibly moist, and the whole batter comes together with one saucepan and one bowl.

If you would rather bake single servings, my mini Coca Cola cakes use the same flavors in a muffin pan.

Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time	20 minutes
Cook Time	35 minutes
Total Time	55 minutes
Servings	20 squares
Difficulty Level	Easy

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Why You’ll Love This Coca Cola Cake Recipe

This is the kind of dessert that looks like it took all afternoon but really takes under an hour, and it feeds a crowd without any fuss.

• One saucepan, one bowl: There is no mixer to drag out and very little cleanup.
• Incredibly moist: The hot cola mixture and buttermilk give the cake a soft, tender crumb that stays moist for days.
• Deep chocolate flavor: Cocoa in both the cake and the icing makes every square taste rich and fudgy.
• Fun texture: The mini marshmallows melt into little pockets and a slightly chewy top layer.
• Pantry friendly: Most of the ingredients are things you probably already have at home.
• Perfect for a crowd: A 9×13 pan cuts into 20 generous squares, so it is ideal for parties and potlucks.
• Makes ahead beautifully: The flavor gets even better after a day, which takes the pressure off on party day.

You might also enjoy: Hot Fudge Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Here is everything you need for both the cake and the icing, and I have marked which part of the recipe each ingredient belongs to.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (cake)
• 2 cups granulated sugar (cake)
• 1/2 cup salted butter, cut into pieces (cake)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (cake)
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (cake)
• 1 cup Coca-Cola, regular, not diet (cake)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature (cake)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature (cake)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (cake)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (cake)
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (cake)
• 1/2 cup salted butter (icing)
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (icing)
• 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola (icing)
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar, about 1 pound (icing)
• 1 cup chopped pecans (icing)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (icing)

I keep a little buttermilk on hand for this cake, and any leftovers make my buttermilk pie extra silky.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

You do not need anything fancy for this cake, but a sturdy pan and a roomy saucepan make the process smoother.

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, because the cola foams up when it heats
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl for the icing
• Wire whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Offset spatula for spreading the icing
• Wire cooling rack
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons
• Toothpick or cake tester

Read Also: Peach Dump Cake Recipe

Recommended Products for This Recipe

These are my personal recommendations based on years of baking this cake, and each one solves a small problem that can trip up a sheet cake.

1. USA Pan Rectangular Cake Pan

I reach for this pan whenever I bake a 9×13 cake because the aluminized steel heats evenly and the cake releases cleanly.

You get gently golden edges instead of dark, dry corners. It is also warp resistant, so it keeps its shape for years.

Get it on Amazon

2. Mexican Coca-Cola in Glass Bottles

Mexican Coke is made with real cane sugar, and I find it gives the cake a slightly rounder, cleaner caramel note.

It is a fun upgrade when you want the cola flavor to come through a little more.

A single bottle goes a long way, so you will have plenty left to sip while the cake bakes.

Get it on Amazon

3. Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Cocoa is a star in both the cake and the icing, so quality matters here.

This one has a deep, smooth chocolate flavor and mixes into the hot cola without clumping. Your cake will taste noticeably richer.

Get it on Amazon

4. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Saucepan

A heavy, roomy saucepan keeps the butter, oil, cocoa, and cola from scorching or boiling over.

The tight-fitting build also holds heat evenly, which helps the icing come together smoothly. I use mine for both the cake and the icing.

Get it on Amazon

5. Nordic Ware Covered Cake Keeper

This cake is even better on day two, and a covered keeper protects the icing without smushing it.

It also makes it easy to carry the cake to potlucks and picnics. No more wrestling with foil that sticks to the top.

Get it on Amazon

That rectangular pan is also what I use for my German chocolate cake bars, so it earns its spot in the cabinet.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Coca Cola Cake

Read through all the steps once before you begin, because the cake and the icing come together quickly and you will want everything measured and ready.

1. Prep the Oven and the Pan

• Place an oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan generously with butter or nonstick baking spray, getting into all four corners.
• Measure out your ingredients and set the buttermilk and eggs on the counter so they are not ice cold when they hit the warm batter.
• Chop the pecans for the icing now so they are ready to go later.

2. Whisk the Flour and Sugar

• Add the 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of granulated sugar to a large mixing bowl.
• Whisk for about 30 seconds until the two are evenly combined and there are no lumps in the flour.
• Set the bowl on the counter next to the stove, because you will pour the hot cola mixture right into it.

3. Heat the Cola Mixture

• Add the 1/2 cup of butter pieces, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 cup of Coca-Cola to a 3-quart saucepan.
• Set the pan over medium heat and whisk often as the butter melts.
• Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, which takes about 4 to 5 minutes. Expect some foaming from the cola, and that is completely normal.
• Remove the pan from the heat as soon as it is boiling and smooth.

4. Combine the Batter

• Carefully pour the hot cola mixture over the flour and sugar in the bowl.
• Whisk for about 1 minute until the batter is smooth and glossy with no dry pockets.
• Whisk in the 1/2 cup of buttermilk, then add the 2 eggs one at a time, whisking well after each.
• Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of baking soda over the batter and whisk it in so it does not clump.
• Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The batter will look thin and pourable, and that is exactly what you want.

5. Fold In the Marshmallows

• Add the 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows to the batter.
• Use a rubber spatula to gently fold them in until they are evenly distributed.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and scrape the bowl clean. The marshmallows will float to the top, and they will bake into that signature chewy layer.

6. Bake the Cake

• Slide the pan onto the center rack and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
• Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into a spot without a big melted marshmallow. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
• Begin the icing when the cake has about 5 minutes left, since the icing needs to go on while the cake is still hot.
• Take care not to overbake, which can dry out the crumb.

7. Make the Pecan Icing

• Place the 3 3/4 cups of powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl and break up any large lumps.
• Add the second 1/2 cup of butter, the second 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and the 6 tablespoons of Coca-Cola to your saucepan.
• Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the butter melts and the mixture just comes to a boil.
• Pour the hot mixture over the powdered sugar and whisk until completely smooth.
• Stir in the 1 cup of chopped pecans and the second 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

8. Ice the Warm Cake

• Remove the cake from the oven and set it on a wire cooling rack.
• Pour the warm icing over the hot cake right away, working from the center outward.
• Use an offset spatula to gently spread the icing to the edges and corners. It will melt into the surface a bit, which gives the cake its fudgy top.

9. Cool, Slice, and Serve

• Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes so the icing can set.
• Cut it into 4 rows by 5 rows to make 20 squares.
• Wipe your knife clean between cuts for neat edges, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Another favorite: Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Tips for The Best Coca Cola Cake

A few small habits make the difference between a good Coca Cola cake and a truly memorable one.

• Use regular Coca-Cola: The real sugar in regular cola adds moisture and helps the cake brown, so diet versions will not give the same result.
• Bring the buttermilk and eggs to room temperature: Cold ingredients can cool the batter too fast and make the texture uneven.
• Do not panic about thin batter: This cake has a runny batter by design, and it bakes up tender and soft.
• Ice the cake while it is hot: Warm icing soaks in slightly and creates that fudgy, almost brownie-like top.
• Toast the pecans: Five minutes in a dry skillet brings out their flavor and keeps them crunchy in the icing.
• Check for doneness in the right spot: Melted marshmallows can make a toothpick look wet, so test where you do not see one.
• Use a warm, clean knife: A knife rinsed in hot water and wiped dry slices through the icing without dragging.

Good cocoa matters in a chocolate cake, and it is also why I lean on it in my fudge brownies.

Serving Suggestions

This cake is wonderful on its own, but a few simple pairings turn a square into a full dessert moment.

• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and let it melt into the warm icing.
• Top with a spoonful of softly whipped cream for a lighter contrast.
• Serve with a tall glass of cold milk, which is a classic pairing for chocolate cake.
• Pair it with hot coffee for a cozy afternoon treat.
• Scatter fresh cherries or sliced strawberries on the plate for a pop of color and tartness.
• Bring it to cookouts and picnics, since it travels well right in the pan.

Read Also: BBQ Ribs With Mac And Cheese

Variations of Coca Cola Cake

The classic version is hard to beat, but this cake is easy to adjust to what you have on hand or what your crowd loves.

• Nut-free: Leave the pecans out of the icing, or swap in mini chocolate chips.
• Cherry Coke cake: Use cherry cola for a subtle cherry flavor that pairs well with chocolate.
• Coca Cola cupcakes: Fill lined muffin cups about two thirds full and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, then spoon the icing over the tops.
• Bundt version: Pour the batter into a greased and floured 10-cup bundt pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, then drizzle with the icing.
• Extra chocolatey: Fold 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter along with the marshmallows.
• Toasted coconut: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of toasted coconut over the warm icing for extra texture.

If you love the look of a bundt, my vanilla bundt cake walks you through prepping the pan so the cake always releases cleanly.

Storage and Reheating

This cake keeps well, which makes it a great choice when you want to bake ahead for a party.

• Room temperature: Store the cake covered in the pan or in a cake carrier for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Keep it in an airtight container for up to 5 days, and let squares sit out for 15 minutes before serving.
• Freezer: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thawing: Move frozen squares to the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature.
• Reheating: Microwave a square for 10 to 15 seconds for a warm, gooey treat.

For another dessert that tastes even better the next day, try: Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Nutritional Facts

These numbers are estimates for one square when the cake is cut into 20 pieces, and they will vary with the brands and ingredients you use.

• Calories: about 410
• Total fat: about 19 g
• Saturated fat: about 8 g
• Carbohydrates: about 57 g
• Sugar: about 47 g
• Fiber: about 1 g
• Protein: about 3 g
• Sodium: about 130 mg

When I want a lighter finish after a big meal, I turn to my angel food cake instead.

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

This is a dessert made to be enjoyed in moderation, but a few of the ingredients do bring something nice to the table.

• Cocoa powder: It contains natural plant compounds called flavanols and a bit of fiber, along with minerals like magnesium and iron.
• Pecans: They provide mostly unsaturated fats, plus vitamin E, manganese, and a little fiber and protein.
• Eggs: They add protein and choline, a nutrient that supports brain health.
• Buttermilk: It offers a bit of calcium and protein, and it helps make the crumb tender.
• Flour: It supplies carbohydrates for energy, along with small amounts of B vitamins in enriched varieties.

For a lighter option, try: High Protein Banana Pudding

FAQs About Coca Cola Cake

1. Can I use Diet Coke or Coke Zero?

I do not recommend it. The real sugar in regular Coca-Cola adds moisture and helps the cake brown, so a diet soda can leave it dry and pale.

2. Why is my Coca Cola cake batter so thin?

Thin batter is completely normal for this recipe.

The hot cola mixture and buttermilk create a pourable batter that bakes into a soft, tender cake.

3. Can I leave out the marshmallows?

Yes, you can leave them out if you are not a fan.

The cake will still be moist and chocolatey, though you will miss the chewy top layer that makes the classic version special.

4. Does the cake taste like cola?

Not exactly. The cola adds a subtle caramel sweetness and a slight tang that most people cannot quite place.

Most of the flavor is rich chocolate, which is why it wins over even people who do not drink soda.

5. Can I make Coca Cola cake ahead of time?

Absolutely, and it is one of the best make-ahead cakes.

Bake and ice it up to 2 days in advance, cover it well, and it will be moist and ready to serve.

Craving another Southern dessert? My Southern pecan pie is a great next bake.

Conclusion

This Coca Cola cake is proof that simple, humble ingredients can turn into something spectacular.

It is fudgy, nostalgic, and wonderfully easy, and I hope it becomes a regular at your table.

Give the Coca Cola cake a try, and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

If you loved it, share it with a friend who needs a new potluck dessert.

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• Red Velvet Cake Recipe
• Coconut Cake Recipe
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• Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
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