Classic Coca Cola Cake with Marshmallows
This rich Classic Coca-Cola Cake with Marshmallows is super moist, scrumptious, and beloved by my chocoholic family!
A Coke Cake gets its name from the addition of cola into the batter. Besides a little extra oomph from the carbonation, there is a subtle, hard to identify flavor from the cola.
Why You Must Make
- This coca cola chocolate cake is a southern classic!
- Apparently, the Cracker Barrell version is a hot item, and now you can make it at home.
- Due to the buttermilk, the cake is super moist and tender. If you love chocolate cake, this is a must-try recipe!
I had a vague recollection of seeing this classic Coca Cola Cake Recipe once upon a time, but it sounded a bit odd. As a former Diet Coke addict, I can understand the appeal of an icy cold cola. But in a cake? When my hairstylist raved about this cake (he and I both have a huge fondness for Jacques Torres’ Chocolate Chip Cookies), I took notice.
We had Coke in the fridge (the high octane regular version, not diet) and mini-marshmallows on hand. I had no excuse not to give this Coke Cake Recipe a try. Note the color differentiation in that forkful—the top is where those marshmallows melted into the batter. It’s one exceptionally moist, irresistible cake!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Coca Cola Cake?
A coca-cola cake is a cake, usually chocolate, that uses Coke as an ingredient in the cake and in the frosting. The original recipe was developed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
Why Do You Put Coke in a Cake?
It provides part of the liquids required to make a cake recipe along with sugar and carbonation. It also adds another subtle flavor element. Plus, the carbonation helps to enhance the baking soda.
Can You Freeze a Coca-Cola Cake?
Yes, it freezes well. Chill or freeze briefly so the frosting firms up. Then place slices in an airtight container. Avoid pressing plastic wrap against the frosting as it will stick when defrosted.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before serving. It also keeps well at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Make
I had a feeling that my chocoholic family would give it their approval, but this one exceeded my expectations. The procedure for mixing this cake batter is a little odd, but it works! Here’s how it goes:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºand prep the pan.
- Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl, then mix in the marshmallows.
- In a saucepan, bring the butter, oil, cocoa, and cola to a boil and pour over the flour mixture.
- Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the buttermilk, then add to the rest of the batter. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Bake as directed.
- While the cake is baking, make the frosting. It will be poured over the hot cake.
- Place the sifted powdered sugar in a heat-proof bowl and set aside.
- Combine the butter, cocoa, and cola in a saucepan. When it comes to a boil, pour it over the powdered sugar and whisk it until smooth. Mix in the vanilla.
- Pour the warm frosting over the cake and let cool before serving.
Tips for Making Your Cake
- Line your baking pan with non-stick foil for easy cleanup.
- Note that the addition of marshmallows may make the surface of the cake slightly bumpy. Don’t worry, no one will complain after their first bite.
- Sift your powdered sugar for the frosting for the smoothest results.
- Pour your frosting on when the cake is hot from the oven. This helps some of the frosting absorb into the top layer of the cake adding extra moisture.
- If you want a level top, use Cake Strips for Baking (affiliate link) soaked in water around the perimeter of your pan.
- If you’re out of buttermilk, you can easily make a substitution from commonly found items in your kitchen. See the frequently asked questions above.
- I omitted the pecans in the frosting since my family doesn’t like nuts. But if you are a fan of nuts in your desserts, add 1 cup of chopped pecans to the frosting before it sets. Toasting them first brings out their essential oils and improves their flavor.
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They went nuts for this easy coca-cola cake (despite the lack of said nuts), as did my girlfriends who were over for lunch the next day. Not heavy on chocolate, even the picky daughter ate her fair share. It’s super tender, moist, and delicious!! I think your family will adore this classic Coke Cake recipe as much as mine did.
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Coca Cola Cake Recipe
A tender, moist chocolate cake with cola as the secret ingredient
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup butter, at room temperature
- ½ vegetable oil like canola
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 cup Coca-Cola or another cola-flavored soda
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Frosting:
- ½ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 3½ cups powdered sugar (1 box), sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º. Line a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick foil or spray with Baker's Joy or butter and flour the pan. Set aside.
- Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl, then mix in the marshmallows.
- In a saucepan, mix the butter, oil, cocoa, and cola. Bring to a bowl and pour over the flour mixture. Mix until combined.
- Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the buttermilk, then add to the rest of the batter. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, make the frosting.
- Place the sifted powdered sugar in a heat-proof bowl and set aside.
- Combine the butter, cocoa, and cola in a saucepan. When it comes to a boil, pour it over the powdered sugar and whisk it until smooth. Mix in the vanilla.
- Pour Coca-Cola Frosting over the hot cake after it comes out of the oven. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
You can make your own buttermilk substitute by putting a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a 1 cup liquid measuring cup. Fill to the one cup mark with milk. Whisk to combine and let rest for about 10 minutes before using.
You may also add 1 cup of chopped, toasted pecans to the frosting if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 557Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 326mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 1gSugar: 63gProtein: 4g
36 Comments on “Classic Coca Cola Cake with Marshmallows”
I’ve eaten this Coca Cola cake since 1967, and have loved it right from my very first bite. My mother-in-law baked it, and no matter how many times I begged for her recipe, she never shared. She knew her recipe was Chocolate Gold. She passed away a few years ago, and I haven’t had her cake since – until yesterday, when I found your recipe. I baked it and shared it with my family, who also loved “Grandma’s Coca Cola Cake. They all asked for a second slice, and said that it tasted just like hers. For those of you who are skeptical, just try it once. I guarantee you’ll be baking it the rest of your life, and whomever tastes it will be begging you to bake it again! This cake’s like Spaghetti Sauce in that the longer it sits the better it tastes. I had a slice today (the 2nd day after baking) and it was even better than yesterday. I’m so glad I finally found this recipe. The only thing I did differently was use one 12 oz can EACH for the cake and the frosting. And be sure you apply the frosting on a HOT cake. It makes a difference.
Oh, Mara, I’m so glad you finally got to make your own Coca Cola cake!! Thanks for your kind comments and tips.
Liz I haven’t had this cake since the 70s. I recall it being a huge hit then. How fun to recreate it. I love it and will have to make it for my kids. Thanks for bringing me back down memory lane. Wish my dad was here to sample it – he loved it!
I have been making this cake for a considerable length of time and its one of my top picks. I add slashed pecans to the icing. It’s yummy!
Wow! That’s the first I’ve heard of coca cola cake, Liz. Although I’ve made coca cola macarons I’d never thought of making a cake with it. Tell me, is the cocoa powder more for the colouring or does it help to highlight the coke flavour? I’m intrigued. Love how there are squelchy marshmallows in there too!
I too have heard of this before but never tried it. No doubt it would be big hit with my dessert lovers. Your perfectly cut serving is gorgeous!
Lizzy,
I’ve never made coca cola cake. It certainly looks delicious. I don’t usually have mini marshmallows on hand but maybe I could cut up the large ones.
Annamaria
This is one of those cakes that I have seen around but never dared to give it a go. Yours certainly is attractive, I may just be tempted to head out and buy some coca cola!
I think this is the first time I hear of a coca cola cake.
I love drinking cola, and it does sound strange to add it into a cake, but very intriguing and your cake looks amazing!
I’ve heard of a coco cola cake and have always wanted to try it. Yours looks perfect, Liz! So chocolaty and delicious! I can’t wait to try this!
Now I am intrigued…If the elegant gourmet at TSCCB (and fellow diet Coke fan) says thumbs up to Coca-Cola and marshmallows; well, I’m game to take the Coke Cake challenge!
I have heard about this cake but have never tried it! It looks like it’s totally worth a try!
I remember this cake and it was a good one! Can’t wait to try!
Coca-Cola Cake just sounds fun! I will give this a try, I’m sure the guys will love it. Thanks for the tips on the marshmallows.
Recipes made with soda always boggle my mind, but I always end up loving them! This looks so scrumptious!
Sounds yummy. I do believe I have seen this recipe around the web too.