Coca Cola Cake Chocolate Coca Cola Recipe
Coca-Cola cake is a beloved Southern dessert known for its unique flavor and moist texture, achieved by incorporating the classic soda directly into the batter and frosting. This indulgent treat often features a rich chocolate base complemented by buttermilk, marshmallows, and a decadent Coca-Cola glaze. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this iconic cake is a delightful way to enjoy a taste of nostalgia.
Classic Coca-Cola Cake Recipes
Here are a few popular variations of the Coca-Cola cake, each offering a slightly different take on this Southern staple.
Traditional Coca-Cola Cake
This version includes mini marshmallows for an extra touch of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 1 pound confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preparation:
- Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar.
- In a saucepan, combine the cocoa, Coca-Cola, butter, and marshmallows; bring to a boil.
- Combine the boiled mixture with the flour and sugar mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla, then add to the first mixture.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Frosting Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the confectioner's sugar and mix well.
- Stir in nuts.
- Spread over the cake while both the cake and frosting are still warm.
Serves about 16.
Coca-Cola Cake with Margarine
This recipe uses margarine and offers a slightly different preparation method for the icing.
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup margarine
- 1 cup cola
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, beaten
Icing Ingredients:
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup margarine
- 6 tablespoons cola
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease and flour a 16 x 11-inch pan.
- Combine the flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- In a saucepan, combine the margarine, cola, and cocoa powder, and stir until boiling. Remove from the heat, and stir into the flour mixture.
- Add the marshmallows, buttermilk, vanilla, and eggs, and mix well.
- Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the center is set.
Icing Instructions:
- While the cake is baking, prepare the icing. Measure the confectioners sugar into a mixing bowl.
- Melt the margarine in a saucepan. Add the cola and cocoa, and stir until boiling.
- Remove from heat, and pour over the confectioners sugar. Add the vanilla, and beat on high speed for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the pecans, and pour over the hot cake.
Simplified Coca-Cola Cake
This version provides a straightforward approach to making a delicious Coca-Cola cake.
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 cup pecan pieces, optional
Cake Instructions:
- Sift flour and sugar together in a bowl.
- Place butter, marshmallows, cocoa, and Coca-Cola together in a saucepan over medium heat until melted.
- Pour melted mixture over flour and sugar.
- Add beaten eggs and mix well.
- Add baking soda to buttermilk and pour into the batter mixture.
- Add vanilla and mix well.
- Pour batter into a 9x13 pan and bake for 40-50 minutes. (For high altitude, add 2 tablespoons flour).
Frosting Instructions:
- Place butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Pour this over powdered sugar and beat until creamy and spreadable.
- Add pecans if using.
- Spread over warm, not hot, cake. (You may need to add more Coca-Cola for desired consistency).
Other Favorite Coca-Cola Recipes
Coca-Cola isn't just for drinking or baking cakes; it can also add a unique flavor to savory dishes and other sweet treats.
1. Killer Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 can Coca-Cola (approx. 12 oz)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 clove minced garlic
- Salt, pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Combine all sauce ingredients and marinate meat overnight.
- Place meat on a well-oiled pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-60 minutes, depending on meat thickness.
- Remove from oven, dredge the meat in the sauce, baste with additional sauce, and bake for 15 minutes or until done.
2. Coca-Cola Zucchini-Carrot Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups white wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3/4 cup Coca-Cola
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup finely grated zucchini
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix together dry ingredients.
- Whisk together egg, sugar, oil, Coca-Cola, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together.
- Fold in grated veggies, raisins, and nuts until just combined.
- Spoon batter into a muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
3. Coca-Cola Basted Ham
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 20 to 30 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 (18-pound) cured ham
- 2 (12-ounce) cans Coca-Cola
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Place ham in a shallow roasting pan.
- Baste the ham with Coca-Cola, and cover it with foil.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes per pound of ham, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
- Baste with cola about every 30 minutes during cooking.
4. Coca-Cola Easter Ham
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 (7 to 9-pound) ham, rind removed
- Whole cloves
- 1 pound dark brown sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) Coca-Cola
- 1 (14-ounce) can pineapple rings, drained (reserve juice)
- 1 cup sweet Concord grape wine (e.g., Manischewitz)
- 10 to 12 maraschino cherries
- Fresh bay leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham crosswise and lengthwise, forming a crosshatch pattern about 1/4-inch deep and 1-inch apart. Place a clove in the center of each square.
- Place ham, fat side up, in a double-layer disposable aluminum roasting pan.
- Pat brown sugar onto the surface of the ham (expect some sugar to fall into the roasting pan).
- Transfer to oven, and bake until brown sugar just begins to melt, about 30 minutes.
- Remove ham from oven. Pour Coca-Cola over ham, letting it mix with the melted sugar in the bottom of the pan. Baste ham with the sugar mixture.
- Return ham to oven, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine 1 cup reserved pineapple juice and the wine in a small bowl.
- Baste ham with the pineapple mixture. Bake ham for a total of 16 minutes per pound, basting every 20 minutes with the juices in the bottom of the pan.
- During the last 20 minutes of baking time, decorate ham with pineapple rings. Use 2 to 3 toothpicks to hold each ring in place. Center a cherry in the middle of each ring, and adhere with a toothpick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coca-Cola cake?
Coca-Cola cake is a classic Southern dessert featuring the popular soda as a key ingredient in both the cake batter and the frosting. It's known for its rich chocolate flavor, moist texture, and often includes ingredients like buttermilk and marshmallows.
What are the main ingredients in Coca-Cola cake?
Key ingredients typically include flour, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and, of course, Coca-Cola. Many recipes also feature mini marshmallows in the cake and a rich, warm frosting made with butter, cocoa, confectioner's sugar, and more Coca-Cola.
Can Coca-Cola be used in other recipes?
Absolutely! Coca-Cola's unique sweetness and effervescence make it a versatile ingredient beyond cake. It can be used in savory dishes like BBQ sauces and ham glazes, or in other baked goods such as muffins, adding a distinct flavor profile to a variety of meals.