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Coca Cola Cake

Crack open a can and make this Coca Cola Cake! Soft, chocolatey cake meets rich, fudgy icing in this classic southern dessert made with a not-so-secret ingredient. Recipe includes a how-to video!

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 624 kcal
Course: Dessert , Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 12 12 oz coca cola 1 ½ cups
  • 1 1 cup unsalted butter cubed
  • ½ ½ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder see note
  • 2 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ ¾ cup sour cream
  • 2 2 large eggs lightly beaten. room temperature preferred
  • 1 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frosting
  • 12 12 oz coca cola 1 ½ cups
  • ½ ½ cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 3 Tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and spray a 9x13” (23x33cm) baking pan with baking spray.
  2. Combine 12 oz cola, butter, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan and heat over medium-heat until butter has melted (the mixture may separate in the saucepan, that is OK). Bring to a boil, stirring frequently then remove from heat and allow to cool while you prepare your dry ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Pour cola mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
  5. Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract and stir again until the batter is smooth.
  6. Pour batter into prepared 9x13 (23x33cm) baking pan and transfer to 350F (175C) oven. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs or clean. Baking time given is for a metal baking pan, glass or ceramic will take longer to bake (approximately 35-38 minutes).
Frosting
    Cup of Yum
  1. While cake is in the oven or is cooling you can prepare the frosting.
  2. Pour cola into a clean medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until it has reduced in volume so that it is between ⅓ and ½ cup (79-118ml). You will need to carefully pour the cola into a heatproof liquid measuring cup to check if it has been reduced enough.
  3. Once cola has been reduced enough, add butter and salt and continue to cook over medium/low heat until the butter is melted (if the mixture looks a bit separated this is fine, it will come together in the next step).
  4. Remove from heat and add cocoa powder, whisking until smooth.
  5. Add powdered sugar and whisk again until frosting is smooth and lump free and immediately pour/spread over warm cake.
  6. Allow cake to cool and frosting to set before slicing and serving. This cake is great served by itself or with vanilla ice cream!

Notes

  • I do not recommend substituting Dutch-process cocoa powder, which has a stronger flavor and will overpower the already subtle flavor of the coca cola.
  • I always store this cake directly in the pan that it is baked in. It will keep, covered, at room temperature, for 3-5 days. The cake may also be refrigerated but keep in mind that this will dry out the cake. Coca Cola Cake may also be frozen (tightly covered) for several months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 624kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 95g (32%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 96mg (32%) Sodium 435mg (18%) Potassium 136mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 74g (148%) Vitamin A 838IU (17%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 624

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 624kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 95g 32%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 96mg 32%
Sodium 435mg 18%
Potassium 136mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 74g 148%
Vitamin A 838IU 17%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.