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    Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake

    February 16, 2022 by Lisa 1 Comment

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    This Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake recipe uses the classic Coke soda we all love to create a super simple, classic recipe. This Coca Cola Cake is very similar to a Texas Sheet cake and has been adapted over the years to create an easy to throw together, super moist cake for any occasion!

    A piece of coca cola cake on a white plate with a mint green linen.
    Jump to:
    • INGREDIENTS
    • SUBSTITUTIONS
    • HOW TO MAKE OLD FASHIONED COCA COLA CAKE
    • STORAGE
    • TIPS AND FAQ'S
    • MORE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES!

    INGREDIENTS

    You probably already have the ingredients to this Coca Cola Cake in your pantry already.

    For the cake you will need:

    Overhead view of the ingredients to make the coca cola cake
    • All purpose flour
    • Granulated sugar
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Coca Cola
    • Butter, unsalted
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • Eggs
    • Buttermilk
    • Vanilla extract, pure vanilla is best.
    overhead ingredients for the coca cola frosting.

    For the frosting you will need only 5 ingredients:

    • Coca Cola
    • Butter
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • Vanilla extract

    SUBSTITUTIONS

    If you find that you don't have certain ingredients on hand, here are a few substitutions you can make to still produce a delicious cake:

    • While Coke is ideal, you can substitute this ingredient out for diet soda, off brand, or even other soda types like root beer or Dr. Pepper.
    • Buttermilk: You can use regular milk if you have it on hand, or you can make your own buttermilk by adding 1 ½ teaspoons vinegar to ½ cup regular milk.
    A square piece of coca cola cake being removed from the baking dish being held with a silver spatula. Coke cans in he background.

    HOW TO MAKE OLD FASHIONED COCA COLA CAKE

    STEP ONE: First you want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. and prepare a 9x13 baking dish by spraying with non-stick spray and set aside.

    STEP TWO: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

    STEP THREE: In a small saucepan, simmer the entire can of coca cola over medium heat until it reduced to about ½ cup. Use a measuring cup to get accurate measurements.

    image 1: overhead view of dry ingredients mixed in a bowl. image 2: overhead view of wet ingredients melted together in a small saucepan. image 3: overhead view of all the ingredients mixed together. image 4: overhead view of the batter in the baking dish.

    STEP FOUR: Add the butter and cocoa powder and whisk until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Allow to cool for 5 minutes

    STEP FIVE: Once cooled, add the Coca Cola mixture to the flour mixture. Add the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and use an electric mixer on medium speed to blend until well combined.

    STEP SIX: Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake is cooling prepare the frosting.

    STEP SEVEN: In a small saucepan over medium heat, reduce the second can of Coca Cola by simmering over medium heat until reduced to a ½ cup. Use a measuring cup to accurately measure and discard any extra.

    STEP EIGHT: Add the butter, vanilla and cocoa to the mixture and whisk until butter is fully melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.

    STEP NINE: Sift in the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, whisking together until dissolved. Repeat until all four cups are incorporated.

    STEP TEN: Pour the frosting over the baked cake. Allow the cake to cool before serving.

    image 1: overhead view of the finished baked and unfrosted cake. image 2: a shot of the frosting being poured on the cake. image 3: an overhead photo of the frosted cake.image 4: an overhead image of the cut frosted cake.

    STORAGE

    Store left over cake in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and at room temperature up to three days.

    Coca Cola Cake in a white baking dish with one slice removed.

    If you wish to make this in advance and freeze. I would recommend freeze the cake WITHOUT frosting, then frost when you are ready to serve. Make sure you cover the cake very very in a freezer safe container before freezing.

    TIPS AND FAQ'S

    Make sure you reduce each can of cola to ½ cup. Be sure to measure out exactly half a cup. Don't just "eyeball" it.. I see you...

    Pour the frosting over the warm cake right away so it will be easier to spread.

    Sift the powdered sugar into the frosting to be sure there are no hard lumps of sugar. Nobody likes that.

    Coca Cola Cake on a white plate with two cherries on top

    Get creative with the toppings. You can top with ice cream, sprinkles, maraschino cherries, whipped cream, hot fudge sauce, etc. Really the sky is the limit here. Have fun with it!

    Overhead view of a piece of coca cola cake on a white plate with a can of coke, cherries, and a mint linen in the background.

    CAN I USE DIET SODA FOR THIS RECIPE?

    Yes, if that is your soda of choice, you can make it with diet or you can even switch it up and use root beer or Dr. Pepper

    WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE BUTTERMILK? CAN I USE REGULAR?

    Yes, you can use regular milk, OR you can make your own buttermilk by adding 1 ½ teaspoons vinegar to ½ cup milk.

    CAN I USE A PREMADE FROSTING OR MIX?

    The Country Cook has an awesome recipe that uses a boxed cake mix! You can find that HERE. As far as frosting, I wouldn't hurt to use a premade frosting. I would recommend melting it and pouring it over the cake.

    A piece of cake on a white plate topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

    MORE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES!

    • GERMAN BLACK FOREST CAKE
    • FERRERO ROCHER CAKE
    • INSTANT POT CHOCOLATE CAKE
    • GERMAN CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
    • GUINESS CUPCAKES
    • OREO POKE CAKE

    Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake

    This Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake Recipe uses the classic Coke soda we all love to create a super simple, classic recipe. This Coca Cola Cake is very similar to a Texas Sheet cake and has been adapted over the years to create an easy to throw together, super moist cake for any occasion!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings

    Equipment

    • 9x13 baking dish
    • electric mixer
    • small saucepan
    • sifter

    Ingredients
      

    Cake

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 2 cups white granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 12 oz can Coca Cola
    • 1 cup unsalted butter
    • ½ cup powdered baking cocoa
    • 2 eggs lightly beaten
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Frosting

    • 1 12 oz can Coca Cola
    • ½ cup butter
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ cup powdered baking cocoa
    • 4 cups confectioners sugar sifted

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white granulated sugar, baking soda and salt until fully incorporated. Set aside.
    • In a small saucepan, simmer the entire can of coca cola over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup. Use a measuring cup to accurately measure and discard the extra.
    • Add the unsalted butter and baking cocoa and whisk until the butter is melted and the cocoa is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
    • Once cooled, add the Coca Cola mixture to the flour mixture. Add the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and use an electric mixer on medium speed to blend until well combined.
    • Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.
    • In a small saucepan over medium heat, reduce the second can of Coca Cola by simmering over medium heat until reduced to a ½ cup. Use a measuring cup to accurately measure and discard any extra.
    • Add the butter, vanilla and cocoa to the mixture and whisk until butter is fully melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
    • Add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, whisking together until dissolved. Repeat until all four cups are incorporated.
    • Pour the frosting over the baked cake. Allow the cake to cool before serving.
    • Optional: Serve with ice cream, whipped topping, chocolate syrup or cherries for an extra special presentation.

    Notes

    • Pour the icing over the cake right away. It sets pretty quickly and can be difficult to spread if you wait too long.
    • Don’t eyeball the coke reduction. Measure out and only use ½ cup. If you ever get a comment on the icing, it was likely due to the cola not being reduced, or not measured out correctly.
    • Reducing the coke enhances the flavor and decreases the water content - for optimal flavor, don’t skip this step!
    • If you have a sifter, use it! It will ensure a super smooth icing. If your readers don’t have one…remove powdered sugar chunks immediately after pouring before the icing sets. Otherwise, the chunks will be there to stay!
    Keyword Chocolate Cake Recipes, chocolate cheesecake, Coca cola cake, easy recipes
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    Comments

    1. Jess

      February 23, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so fun! Now I feel like I need to host a 1950's themed party and pull out my red and white checkered napkin holder, make a whole theme of it.

      Reply

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