I used everyday Coke and a pecan topped frosting in an easy Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake, and my Chocolate Coca Cola Cake hides a surprising trick.

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I grew up biting into a slice of Best Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake and still cant shake that sticky, chocolatey mystery. This easy Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake is perfect for a dessert or snack any day, rich with chocolate and that pecan topped frosting that makes you curious how soda and cake married so well.

I always say its half nostalgia, half science, thanks to Coca Cola and unsweetened cocoa powder working weirdly perfect together. Call it my twist on a Chocolate Coca Cola Cake or maybe a Southern Coca Cola Cake Recipe, but it’s never boring and ppl ask for seconds.

Ingredients

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Gives structure and carbs, little protein, not many nutrients, just the backbone.
Pure carbs, adds sweetness and moisture, empty calories if overused, spikes blood sugar.
Rich in chocolate flavor, provides antioxidants, slight bitterness, low sugar content.
Adds sweetness and fizz, kinda unexpected, lots of sugar and acidity, calories.
Adds fat and flavor, makes cake tender and rich, its high in saturated fat.
Makes crumb tangy and tender, adds protein and acid, helps with rise.
Bind ingredients, add protein and moisture, help with structure, lift and color.
Crunchy, add healthy fats, fiber and flavor, but are calorie dense and toasty.

Ingredient Quantities

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup Coca Cola (regular, not diet)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter for frosting

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for frosting

6 tablespoons Coca Cola for frosting

3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

How to Make this

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1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan well, or line it with parchment paper, set aside.

2. In a large bowl whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt until evenly mixed.

3. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup Coca Cola and 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melt together over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture just starts to simmer, then take off the heat.

4. Pour the hot Coke and butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine, then add 1 cup buttermilk, 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat until smooth and lump free.

5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan about 10 minutes while you make the frosting.

6. For the frosting, in a saucepan melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 6 tablespoons Coca Cola, bring to a gentle boil and let it bubble for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring so it stays smooth.

7. Remove frosting pan from heat and whisk in 3 cups sifted powdered sugar little by little until you get a thick, glossy frosting, then stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (reserve a few tablespoons if you want extra on top).

8. Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake so it soaks in a bit, spread evenly, sprinkle the reserved pecans if using, let the cake cool and the frosting set for at least 20 to 30 minutes, then slice and serve.

Equipment Needed

1. 9×13 inch baking pan or parchment paper to line it, greased
2. Large mixing bowl and a small bowl for dry and wet ingredients, you can use one bowl if you want
3. Saucepan for melting the butter and Coke, medium size works best
4. Whisk for batter and for smoothing the frosting, a fork will do in a pinch
5. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the bowl and fold things, dont skimp on this
6. Measuring cups and spoons for dry and liquid ingredients
7. Sifter or fine mesh sieve for the powdered sugar, a fork can help if you dont have one
8. Toothpick or cake tester and a cooling rack or a place to let the cake rest while you finish the frosting

FAQ

Q: Why is Coca Cola used in this cake? A: Coke adds moisture and a caramel-y flavor, and the acidity reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise, so it actually changes texture as well as taste.

Q: Can I use diet Coke or a sugar free cola? A: Not recommended, diet colas lack real sugar so the cake can turn out flat and oddly textured, use a regular cola like Coca Cola or Pepsi instead.

Q: How do I store or freeze the cake? A: Store covered at room temp for 2 to 3 days, refrigerate up to 5 days. To freeze, wrap cooled layers tightly and freeze up to 3 months, thaw in the fridge overnight then bring to room temp before serving.

Q: What if I dont have buttermilk? A: Make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk, let it sit 5 minutes until slightly curdled, then use like regular buttermilk.

Q: Can I leave out the pecans or swap them? A: Yes, you can omit them or use walnuts, almonds or even toasted coconut. If you skip nuts the frosting will be smoother, so you might want to add a little extra chopped chocolate for texture.

Q: Any tips to make the frosting smooth and not runny? A: Sift the powdered sugar, cool the cocoa/butter/cola mixture slightly before adding sugar, add the sugar gradually and beat until smooth. If it gets too thin chill it for 10 minutes then stir, if too thick add a teaspoon of cola at a time.

Best Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

All-purpose flour: swap for cake flour to get a lighter, more tender cake — use the same 2 cups (or make cake flour by removing 2 tbsp from each cup of AP flour and replacing with 2 tbsp cornstarch).
Granulated sugar: replace 1 for 1 with light brown sugar for a moister cake with deeper, caramel-like flavor, no other recipe changes needed.
Buttermilk: if you dont have it, make 1 cup by adding 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk, let sit 5 minutes until slightly curdled.
Chopped pecans: swap with equal amount chopped walnuts or toasted almonds for similar crunch and flavor, toast them first for extra nuttiness.

Pro Tips

1) Tip 1 – Toast the pecans before chopping them, either in a dry skillet over medium for 4 to 6 minutes or on a sheet in the oven for a few minutes. They get way more flavor and stay crunchier in the frosting, just dont walk away or theyll burn.

2) Tip 2 – Use room temp eggs and buttermilk so the batter comes together faster and you dont have to overmix. Overmixing makes the crumb tough, so stop as soon as it looks smooth and free of big lumps.

3) Tip 3 – Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa for the frosting and add the sugar slowly while whisking, this prevents gritty or lumpy frosting. If the frosting ends up too thin chill it a few minutes to thicken, if too thick add a teaspoon of Coke at a time until it loosens.

4) Tip 4 – Pour the warm frosting while the cake is still slightly warm so some soaks in for moistness, but dont wait until its piping hot or the cake will get soggy. If you want a more defined frosting layer, let the cake cool longer before pouring and sprinkle reserved pecans on top for contrast.

Best Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Recipe by Filip Tappenela

0.0 from 0 votes

I used everyday Coke and a pecan topped frosting in an easy Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake, and my Chocolate Coca Cola Cake hides a surprising trick.

Servings

servings

Calories

609

kcal

Equipment: 1. 9×13 inch baking pan or parchment paper to line it, greased
2. Large mixing bowl and a small bowl for dry and wet ingredients, you can use one bowl if you want
3. Saucepan for melting the butter and Coke, medium size works best
4. Whisk for batter and for smoothing the frosting, a fork will do in a pinch
5. Rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the bowl and fold things, dont skimp on this
6. Measuring cups and spoons for dry and liquid ingredients
7. Sifter or fine mesh sieve for the powdered sugar, a fork can help if you dont have one
8. Toothpick or cake tester and a cooling rack or a place to let the cake rest while you finish the frosting

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Coca Cola (regular, not diet)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter for frosting
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for frosting
6 tablespoons Coca Cola for frosting
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan well, or line it with parchment paper, set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt until evenly mixed.
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup Coca Cola and 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melt together over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture just starts to simmer, then take off the heat.
Pour the hot Coke and butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine, then add 1 cup buttermilk, 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat until smooth and lump free.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan about 10 minutes while you make the frosting.
For the frosting, in a saucepan melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 6 tablespoons Coca Cola, bring to a gentle boil and let it bubble for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring so it stays smooth.
Remove frosting pan from heat and whisk in 3 cups sifted powdered sugar little by little until you get a thick, glossy frosting, then stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (reserve a few tablespoons if you want extra on top).
Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake so it soaks in a bit, spread evenly, sprinkle the reserved pecans if using, let the cake cool and the frosting set for at least 20 to 30 minutes, then slice and serve.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 177g
Total number of serves: 12
Calories: 609kcal
Fat: 27.2g
Saturated Fat: 11.3g
Trans Fat: 0.1g
Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
Monounsaturated: 12.5g
Cholesterol: 84.3mg
Sodium: 116.7mg
Potassium: 146.8mg
Carbohydrates: 90g
Fiber: 5.3g
Sugar: 67.2g
Protein: 6g
Vitamin A: 166.7IU
Vitamin C: 0mg
Calcium: 38.7mg
Iron: 1.4mg

Best Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

How to Make this

Equipment Needed

FAQ

Best Old Fashioned Coca Cola Cake Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pro Tips