SOUTHERN COCA-COLA CAKE
Coca-Cola Cake is a Southern classic. It’s a decadent old-fashioned chocolate cake with rich chocolate frosting that never disappoints.
If you like this cake, you may want to try our lunch lady brownies, old-fashioned sweet chocolate pie, and our Southern chocolate pound cake.
❤WHY WE LOVE THIS CAKE
This is a chocolate lover’s dream cake, and makes me happy just to have it in the house! There are lots of recipes for this cake, but this one is my favorite. The classic cake is so moist because of the coke and buttermilk, and the frosting is fudgy and delicious! The marshmallows are a must in this cake! I promise you’re gonna love this old-fashioned Southern cake.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon (Optional) (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)
- Butter
- Coca-Cola (I always use regular Coke, do not use diet)
- Pure cocoa
- Buttermilk
- Baking soda
- Miniature marshmallows
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- Butter
- 100% pure cocoa
- Coca-cola
- Powdered sugar ( Note: 1 pound of unsifted powdered sugar= about 4 1/4 cups. 1 lb. of sifted powdered sugar = about 4 3/4 cups. I used 4 cups of unsifted powdered sugar, and it works fine for this frosting)
- Vanilla extract
- Pecans or nuts of your choice (Optional)
SUBSTITUTES
✔Please see the comments on this cake to see how others have used different colas in it. Many have had great success with cherry coke, and several loved it with Sprite.
👩🍳HOW TO MAKE
This cake is so easy; you don’t even have to pull out the mixer!
COOKING
Step 1: Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.
Step 2: Combine butter, 1 cup of Coca-Cola, and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil, stirring often.
Step 3: Remove from heat and pour over the flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.
Step 4: Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into the cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring (your marshmallows will not melt). Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
Step 5: Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness.
FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS
Bring margarine, cocoa, and Coca-Cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until the frosting is of a spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle them on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.
⭐PRO TIP
Make the frosting while the cake is in the oven baking. Then, you’re ready to frost the cake while it’s still warm.
❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Buttermilk is an essential ingredient when baking. It adds flavor and texture to cakes. You don’t taste the buttermilk. I don’t recommend using regular milk; it will change the texture and moisture of this cake. However, if you don’t have buttermilk, here is a substitute that will work.
Ironically, no! You don’t taste Coca-Cola in this cake. It just produces a very moist cake with a fudge-like frosting.
STORING AND FREEZING
Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can easily freeze this cake. Just bake and frost it, and then I do recommend cutting it. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
💕MORE OLD-FASHIONED RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
Southern Coca Cola Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)
- 1 cup butter or margarine or two sticks or 16 tablespoons
- 1 cup coca cola I always use regular coke and have not tried it with any other kind
- 3 tablespoons 100% pure cocoa
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting for Coca Cola Cake
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine or 1 stick or 8 tablespoons
- 3 tablespoon 100% pure cocoa
- 6 tablespoons coca cola
- 1 1 pound package powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans or nuts of your choice Optional
Instructions
- Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.
- Combine butter, the 1 cup of coca cola and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil stirring often.
- Remove from heat and pour over flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.
- Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring.(Your marshmallows will not melt) Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness. Frost.
Frosting Instructions
- Bring margarine, cocoa and coca cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until frosting is of spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.
Notes
© The Southern Lady Cooks photos and text – All rights reserved. No copying, posting on other sites, or other uses allowed without written permission of the copyright holder.
Can I freeze the cake without frosting, and add after thawed?
I have never done that, but see no reason why it wouldnt work.
Can this be made in as layered cake? What size pans would I use? 8″?, 9″?
I have never made it that way and you would have to really adjust the baking time. I am sure either pan would work.
Can I use gluten free flour in this recipe
You can always try it Barbara. We only make the recipes the way they are written.
Salted or unsalted butter ?
Whichever you prefer.
Made this cake for church today..it’s incredible! Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect. I love this website!!
So I made the cake the second time the first time but didn’t come out so good it was a little dry. So I remade it with no cinnamon and added 1/3 cup of canola oil a pinch of salt and I used cake flour the second time, which would be 2 cups of cake flour and 4 tablespoons. (of course I had to increase the cooking time by about 10 to 12 minutes) And for the icing since I like milk chocolate I put 6 tbsp of heavy whipping cream in the icing and I used Mexican Coca-Cola in the icing Instead of the regular Coca-Cola which I did put in the cake batter. The cake came out so much better and more moist and softer it was so good. And the icing tasted so yummy like a candy bar Also I crushed the pecans Thank you for this awesome recipe
I have been making this cake for many years and never changed a thing.Everyone loves it.I can’t believe that many changes.You actually made a different cake.
You’re correct.. the changes Wendy made.. makes it a completely different cake. The original version is one of my absolute favorite cakes.
I’m lactose intolerant. Any suggestions on what to use instead of buttermilk? I already use plant based butter but have no idea on a buttermilk sub
Hmmm I dont know, I mean you could try a higher fat nut milk, maybe almond.
I use 1 Tbl of lemon juice in 1 cup of lactose free milk (or milk sub if you choice). Whisk it and let it sit for at least 10 minutes until it curdles. I have always used this as a substitute for regular buttermilk.
You can definitely use this substitute but it doesn’t replace the fat content that buttermilk brings to a recipe.
Can I use cake flour?
Im sure you could but I havent tried it.
Can I use Mexican coca cola with this recipe so I can avoid the high fructose corn syrup in regular coke?
I think that would work just fine, of course I have never made it that way.
Salted or unsalted buttet
Whichever you prefer.
can I leave the marshmallows out?
You can but it won’t be as good.
Do the marshmallows just at add flavor or are they key to the structure of the cake? Thanks!
I think they are key, but I have never tried to make it without them.
Perfect Coca Cola cake! My family loves it. First time I had one was in Mississippi and have never had a piece as good as that one until now. This one is amazing.
YAY!! So glad it was a hit!!
I’ve eaten a lot of cake in my long life, probably a sample of every recipe published. This is the best cake I’ve ever eaten. Try it and see for yourself. The “Southern Lady” posts nothing but the best.
Thank you so much for the kind comment! We love this cake too!
Your coca-cola cake recipe is awesome. I made it for the first time today. Delicious but very rich so a small piece is all I can handle. It’s a keeper for sure. Thank you for all your great southern recipes.
Thank you for the kind comment!!
Here in NC, we love our Cheerwine (a cherry flavored soda), and I thought this would be fantastic with Cheerwine, rather than Coke. So I used Cheerwine, omitted the cinnamon, and swapped vanilla extract with almond extract and this cake was heavenly!! My family devoured this cake in a couple days. Thanks for the recipe!!
Yay!! So glad it was a hit! Sounds delicious!
I made this coca cola cake this morning and it is delicious, my husband and I really do love this cake everyone should try it they will be glad they did.
Everything I read sounds wonderful. My house burned and I lost all my southern recipes. So glad to.find your site Thanks Anna
I just made this tonight it 7PM, and Lordy, this is the best chocolate cake I ever made. I was so happy not to pull out my stand mixer. Just a whisk and a spoon. The marshmallows melted into this soft, chewy, sweet crusty goodness and the icing on top is getting crunchy (my favorite thing is hard chocolate & caramel icing) makes this cake the bomb! I cut huge, hot pieces for myself and my mother. We couldn’t wait for it to cool! I don’t think it will last long, but luckily I still have ingredients left to make another one! Thanks so much.
YAY!! So glad you enjoyed it. This cake is DEFINITELY one of our favorites!
Love this Southern Coca Cola Cake , this one seems super delicious . Will love to try this unique one. Thanks for sharing with us.
love this unique style Southern Coca Cola Cake , this one seems so delicious and amazing. Thanks for sharing ingredients and instructions with us .
Unique name as same as recipe !!! This Coca cola cake actually seems delicious and amazing one , will love to try this . Thanks for sharing this one with us .
Love this one “SOUTHERN COCA COLA CAKE”, will definitely gonna try this one Thanks for sharing this .
I’m thinking of using cherry cola could be good. Would love to pin recipe but can’t find where on this page. Thx
Every recipe has a pin icon at the bottom of the page, we even provide the actual pin. If you can’t see the icon, you have an ad blocker on keeping from loading.
I want to make this cake but I am can’t use the buttermilk nor sour cream. Is there any other suggestion?
You could try regular milk if you can use that, but if you can’t, I don’t know what to tell you Sharon. Sorry, I have only made it by the recipe.
I just made this this morning. I had to use Sprite – I was out of Coca-Cola. It was absolutely delicious. Perfect if you need something sweet. No miniature marshmallows so I cut my big ones up. It worked. Not amazing but very good. Thanks for a great recipe!! 🙂
Sounds great! So glad you were able to make it work for you. Enjoy!
I lost my box recipe book in a move, some of beloved recipes were there. I have been making this cake for 20+ years. Thank you for posting this. I have looked up other recipes and a bunch do not have the marshmallows. The marshmallows rise to the top and give a nice crusty yumminess. Thank you thank you!!!
You’re very welcome!
does this need to be kept in fridge?
If you have a cool place you can leave it out for a couple days but after that I would refrigerate it.
Just made this cake it was gone in 2 days. Everyone loves it!! I did not have pecans or small marshmallows but it was still wonderful. I was told to make it every week.
So glad everyone enjoyed the cake! Thank you so much for letting me know!
My daughters favorite cake since she was 11 years old. She is now 36 and still requests for her Birthday each year. My recipe is very very close to yours. It is a great cake.
This is a great cake. I gently fold walnuts in the icing for a fudge like topping. The hot cake makes this smooth, but not a melted mess if you don’t over work it. Truly, this recipe is better than what Cracker Barrel served. I’ve been making this cake for over 36 years. I think it’s fantastic just as is and wouldn’t alter the recipe.
Can u use dr pepper instead of coke?
Yes, I think that would work, Heather.
I absolutely love everything about this cake recipe!!!:-)My Aunt makes a cake extremely similar to this cake recipe. She calls hers “Sinfully fudgey”
She would make it for my birthday growing up. I asked her for the recipe when I got older and she didn’t want to share it. So thankful for the Coca Cola cake recipe because by far this is truly better!:-)
#Yummy
# comfort food junkie!
Thank you so much Kendria. So happy you like the cake.
can you bake this in a Bundt pan?
I have never tried it in a bundt pan.
Clay, in this cake recipe, the balance of sugar and flour to fat and water is really built to be baked in a sheet pan. If you were to use a bundt pan instead, it is very likely that the middle would not cook adequately before the top and sides were overcooked. if you compare the ratio was used in a bundt cake recipe with this recipe, you’ll see that they are quite different. Ratio is, quite literally, everything in baking.
I used a Bundt pan with no problem.
simply great!!
This has to be made for Superbowl Sunday!!!! Hope one cake will be enough!!!
I am going to try this, my grandchildren will love it – and me!
At Last!
When it said mix butter milk and soda to gather is that the baking soda or more coke?!?
baking soda.
Can this be left at room temperature for a couple of days or does it need to be refrigerated? I’m going to make it for Thanksgiving 2013. Thanks so much for a response.
Yes, I think so in a cool place.
Can this cake be down round and layered, or will it fall. I need a chocolate round cake what would be best for that.
There is a chocolate buttermilk cake with chocolate buttermilk frosting listed under cakes that would be a good one.
Should the cake be cooled before frosting it? Thanks
The recipe says spread frosting over hot cake.
There is one cup and 6 tablespoons of cola used if you combine both recipes. It says 1 cup in the cake and 6 tablespoons in the frosting.
this cake sounds good
Can you substitute all-purpose flour flour with Swans Cake Flour?
There is a difference in cake flour and all-purpose flour. You either use more or less of one of them. You need to look it up. I can’t remember which it is.
White Lily All Purpose Flour will substitute well for Swans Cake Flour..White Lily is a “soft wheat” flour. Most of the other familiar brands of flour are made from “hard or winter wheat”. This kind of wheat will not produce a light, moist cake texture when used as a substitute.
I am going to make this divine cake,
Can you substitute with regular 2% milk hun? ((:
I was given this recipe 43 years ago when I got married. Everyone I worked gave recipes.
I’m making it right now!
When it says 100% pure cocoa what did you use?
Hershey’s 100 per cent pure cocoa.
Thank you.
I love this cake! Forgot about it, but use to make it all the time. Thanks for the reminder.
Haven’t used cinnamon as an enhancement with chocolate though it sounds “yummy”. Powdered espresso really enhances chocolate flavor. ( espresso powder is available at http://www.kingarthurflour.com)
I have tried coca cola in Jello
but never in Cake I am going to try it
Looks yummy ! Have never tried coca cola in a cake, but I am about to do it ! Thanks.
Can this be made with Diet Coke?
I would not cook artificial sweeteners – they are poisonous enough without being baked!
No. Diet sodas give the cake a bad flavor.
Can the marshmallows be omitted.
________________________________
Yes, you can leave out the marshmallows.
Can I use Marshmellow Creme….if how much
I always use the marshmallows. You could probably look up the equivalent on the internet. Try googling it.
It always baffles me (probably because of how my grandmother and aunt taught me to cook) that many people ask so many questions about substitutions and/or criticize the flavor profile of a recipe because it isn’t to their taste. Certainly, recipes can be altered, but I find that it is rarely the job of the person sharing a beloved recipe to give “permission” for all sorts of additions / deletions / substitutions. If a recipe does not appeal to someone because it contains an ingredient you don’t like, or a style of frosting / glaze / topping you are not fond of, they should feel free to make those changes and hope that the result is to their satisfaction. An heirloom recipe is exactly that – e.g. “My family has made this recipe exactly as stated for the last 35 years and we love it.” The best way to LEARN how to cook and what tastes are really wonderful together sometimes requires a leap of faith. A dear aunt INSISTED that I should try adding cardamom to a peach sorbet and I thought she was insane. 2 years later, unfortunately after she had passed away, I DID try it, and it was amazing. How much more could we learn from each other by just TRYING new things and respecting the wisdom of the person sharing the recipe? I usually try a new recipe exactly as given the first time. If I think I want to change something up the next time, I do, but at least I know what the original as supposed to taste like first. When I read a new recipe, I often take the time to consider how those tastes might come together. Sardines, chocolate and marshmallow cream? I don’t think I’ll be trying it at all… Cooking is not the the faint of heart… but it should be FROM the heart every time.
I totally agree with you. I don’t know why people want to change or substitute in a tried and true recipe.
That is just scrumptious looking. I could dive in the middle with a spoon and eat my way out! Nothing like a good sheet cake with thick icing. Thanks for sharing. I just ate my diet lunch and now I’ve feasted on your dessert!
Linda
I love this cake but I don’t use the cinnamon because I don’t like it in chocolate.
I made this for Easter this year. It is so good and moist. I have had the recipe for probably 40 years. It is my all time favorite chocolate cake. Always good for a pot luck.
My late mother made this for us frequently. I never had the recipe. Now I do. i really can’t thank you enough. Mother is the reason I joined your website. I am bound and determined to at least give her cooking style a shot. I may not succeed but it won’t be for lack of trying. Thanks again.
sandi
Just had this for my 50th birthday. My oh my it’s good!