This Coca-Cola Cake is rich, moist, and topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting made with real Coca-Cola. An easy Southern dessert recipe perfect for potlucks, holidays, family gatherings, and weeknight treats.
Coca-Cola Cake is a classic Southern dessert that has stood the test of time for good reason. Made with Coca-Cola in both the cake batter and frosting, this rich chocolate sheet cake bakes up incredibly moist with a deep chocolate flavor and a soft, tender crumb.
Finished with a warm, fudgy frosting poured right over the cake, it’s an easy crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect anytime you’re craving a slice of chocolate cake. If you like this, also try Dr Pepper Cake for another fun recipe using soda.
Ingredients
Cake
- Coca-Cola – Adds moisture, sweetness, and enhances the chocolate flavor. Substitute with any dark soda – Pepsi, Root Beer or Dr. Pepper would be good options.
- Unsalted butter, cut into pieces for easier melting – Creates a rich, tender cake texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Provides deep chocolate flavor throughout the cake.
- All-purpose flour – Gives the cake structure and stability.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft crumb.
- Cornstarch – Helps produce a lighter, more tender texture.
- Baking soda – Reacts with the acidic ingredients to help the cake rise.
- Baking powder – Provides additional lift for a fluffy cake.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Sour cream, room temperature – Adds moisture and creates a soft, tender crumb.
- Large eggs, room temperature – Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor and complements the chocolate.
Frosting
- Coca-Cola – Reduces down to create a concentrated flavor that adds sweetness and richness to the frosting.
- Unsalted butter – Creates a smooth, rich frosting with a silky texture.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Adds deep chocolate flavor and gives the frosting its fudgy taste.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens the frosting and creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Get the complete instructions in the recipe card.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
Step 2. Combine Coca-Cola, butter and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Continue to heat over medium heat until the butter melts and then bring to a boil. Then remove from heat.
Step 3. You will need a large mixing bowl. Whisk together flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4. Add the cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients. Once combined, add sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake.
Step 5. Make the frosting while the cake bakes. Simmer Coca-Cola in a saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture has been reduced.
Step 6. Once reduced, add butter and salt. Heat until the butter is melted and remove from heat.
Step 7. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth to the mixture.
Step 8. Next, add powdered sugar and whisk until creamy and lump-free.
Step 9. Finally, pour the frosting while warm over the warm cake and spread evenly in the baking dish. Allow to set before slicing with a knife and serving.
Pro Tips
- Do not skip reducing the Coca-Cola for the frosting – Simmering it down concentrates the flavor and creates a richer, more pronounced cola taste.
- Pour the frosting over the cake while both are still warm – This helps the frosting spread easily and creates the signature smooth finish.
- Check the cake a few minutes early – Prevents overbaking, which can dry out the cake and reduce its soft, moist texture.
- Use room-temperature sour cream and eggs – Helps everything blend more smoothly and creates a more even, tender crumb.
- Grease or line the pan well – Ensures the cake releases easily and keeps the edges intact for clean slices.
- Stir the cocoa mixture frequently while heating – Prevents scorching and ensures the chocolate flavor stays smooth and rich.
- Cool the Coca-Cola mixture slightly before combining – Keeps the batter from curdling or cooking the eggs when mixed.
- Sift powdered sugar before making frosting – Eliminates lumps and creates a silky, bakery-style frosting texture.
- Use regular Coca-Cola (not diet soda or zero sugar) – Provides the best flavor and proper caramel-like sweetness unlike diet Coke.
- Let frosting set before slicing – Helps the cake firm up for cleaner, neater slices when serving.
- Flavor improves over time – The cake becomes even richer and more flavorful the next day as everything settles together.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. The frosting will firm up slightly when chilled.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thawing: Move frozen cake to the refrigerator overnight, then let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving.
Best practice: Always keep the cake covered to prevent it from drying out and to maintain its fudgy texture.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
Give this Coca-Cola Cake a try and see why it’s a classic that never goes out of style! It’s rich, moist, and topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting that melts into every bite. Truly a dessert that gets rave reviews every time it’s served.
If you make it, leave a comment and rate the recipe so others can see your experience, and don’t forget to share it with friends and family who love an easy, crowd-pleasing chocolate dessert.
Coca Cola Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1½ cups Coca-Cola
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1½ cups Coca-Cola
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar
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Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1½ cups Coca-Cola, 1 cup butter, and ½ cup cocoa powder.
- Heat over medium heat until the butter melts, then bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1¾ cups sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Pour the cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Add ¾ cup sour cream, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
For the Frosting:
- While the cake bakes, simmer 1½ cups Coca-Cola in a saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to about ⅓–½ cup.
- Add ½ cup butter and ¼ teaspoon salt to the reduced cola and heat until the butter is melted. Remove from heat.
- Whisk in 3 tablespoons cocoa powder until smooth, then add 4 cups powdered sugar and whisk until creamy and lump-free.
- Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and spread evenly.
- Let the frosting set before slicing and serving.
