Classic Coca Cola Cake with Marshmallows
I didn’t have high expectations for a cake laced with soda pop. But this Classic Coca Cola Cake with Marshmallows was moist, scrumptious and beloved by all who were lucky enough to get a slice.
Classic Coca Cola Cake with Marshmallows
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 a try. Note the color differentiation in that forkful—the top is where those marshmallows melted into the batter. This Coca Cola Cake with marshmallows one exceptionally moist, irresistible cake!
How to Make a Coca Cola Cake Recipe
I had a feeling that my chocoholic family would give it their approval, but this one exceeded my expectations.
- I made the recipe pretty much as written except that I sprinkled the marshmallows over the batter and smoothed them into the top of the batter using an offset spatula. A couple of reviews (this same recipe can be found all over the Internet) mentioned the cake was ugly due to the lumpy marshmallows, so I did my best to make it a little more attractive. If your frosting ends up looking a little bumpy (mine did!), garnishing each slice will help refocus the attention off of any imperfections.
- If you want a perfectly smooth glaze, just skip the mini marshmallows. This Coke Cake will still be super moist and delicious without them!
- I omitted the sprinkling of pecans over the frosting so my family wouldn’t snub it. But if you are a fan of nuts in your desserts, add some chopped pecans to the frosting before it sets.
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 Coca Cola Cake with marshmallows as much as mine did.
The Recipe: Coca Cola Cake
A tender, moist chocolate cake with cola as the secret ingredient
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 tablespoons cocoa
- 1/3 cup Coca-Cola
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with Baker's Joy or butter and flour pan. Set aside.
- Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk and set aside.
- Beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar and beat until blended. Add egg and vanilla and beat till combined.
- Combine flour, cocoa, and soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture, starting and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until blended, scraping sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle marshmallows over top of batter and press into the top of the cake with an offset spatula so that marshmallows are flush with or below the surface.Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes.
- While cake is cooling, make frosting. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat; whisk in sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour Coca-Cola Frosting over warm cake. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
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
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!