Perfect Chocolate Cola Cake Recipe That Everyone Adores

Rich chocolate cola cake brings a surprising twist to classic dessert traditions.

Sweet carbonation transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Bakers adore this unexpected combination that delivers deep, complex flavors.

Cola's secret ingredient adds moisture and depth to every delectable slice.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a decadent experience that surprises and delights.

Chocolate lovers will quickly fall for this innovative recipe that reimagines traditional baking techniques.

Your taste buds are in for an incredible culinary adventure with this delightful dessert.

How To Store James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake Properly

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Slice cake into portions, wrap each individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Stays fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if eating within short timeframe. Use cake dome or container with tight lid to protect from dust and maintain freshness.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavor.

FAQ Help For James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake

• Is cola really used in the cake batter?

Yes, cola adds moisture and a unique depth of flavor to the chocolate cake, replacing some traditional liquid ingredients while enhancing the overall richness of the dessert.

• Can I use a different type of sugar if I don't have muscovado?

While muscovado sugar provides a rich molasses flavor, you can substitute with dark brown sugar, though the taste will be slightly less complex and deep.

• Why do I need to beat the butter and sugar until translucent?

Beating creates tiny air pockets that help the cake become lighter and more tender, ensuring a soft and fluffy texture instead of a dense, heavy cake.

Why James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake Is A Sweet Surprise

• Create a Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Chocolate cola cake brings a unique twist to traditional chocolate cake, surprising guests with its unexpected cola-infused flavor that adds depth and richness.
• Master a Beginner-Friendly Baking Challenge: This recipe offers straightforward steps perfect for novice bakers, requiring basic mixing techniques and standard kitchen tools without complex skills.
• Enjoy a Versatile Celebration Cake: Ideal for birthdays, gatherings, or weekend treats, this decadent cake works wonderfully as a centerpiece dessert that impresses without overwhelming complexity.

What You’ll Need For James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake

• Dark Brown Muscovado Sugar: A rich, moist sugar that adds deep caramel flavor and helps keep the cake tender.
• Cola: Provides unique sweetness and moisture to the cake batter and frosting.
• Dark Chocolate: Creates a rich, glossy frosting with intense chocolate flavor.
• Butter: Ensures a smooth, tender texture and adds richness to both cake and frosting.

• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and dark color to the cake.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, soft texture.

• Eggs, Buttermilk: Create moisture and help bind the cake ingredients while adding richness.
• Caster Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth cake batter.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugars and create the right frosting consistency.

Steps To Make James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Cola Sugar Mixture

• Cola
• Dark brown sugar

Stir until sugar nearly dissolves and set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• Butter
• Caster sugar

Beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in cocoa powder until smooth and brown.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Buttermilk

Gradually pour into butter mixture while beating. Sift flour and baking soda into the batter.

Step 5: Add Cola Mixture

Pour the cola-sugar mixture into the batter. Mix until you have a smooth, loose consistency.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 7: Prepare Chocolate Frosting

• Cola
• Water
• Butter
• Muscovado sugar

Bring to a boil until butter melts completely. Pour over chocolate and let sit for one minute. Whisk until smooth and glossy.

Step 8: Chill the Frosting

Cover frosting with plastic wrap, touching the surface. Refrigerate for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until spreadable.

Step 9: Assemble the Cake

Slice each cake horizontally to create four layers. Place first layer on cake stand. Spread thin layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining layers. Cover entire cake with remaining frosting, creating smooth swirls.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy. This decadent chocolate cola cake is sure to impress!

Tips To Get James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake Just Right

• Line 20cm deep cake tins with baking paper and grease thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
• Beat ingredients at medium speed to maintain proper batter texture and avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
• Use a skewer or toothpick to test cake's readiness – it should come out clean with no wet batter when inserted into the center.
• Allow chocolate frosting to cool and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency for smooth cake decoration.
• Use a large bread knife and hold it horizontally to create uniform cake layers, ensuring balanced texture and appearance.

Creative Takes On James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake

• Vegan Cola Chocolate Cake: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, use plant-based butter, and select dairy-free chocolate for frosting. Swap buttermilk with almond or soy milk mixed with apple cider vinegar.
• Gluten-Free Cola Chocolate Cake: Substitute wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Ensure baking powder is certified gluten-free. Use cornstarch as a potential binding agent.
• Low-Sugar Cola Chocolate Cake: Replace muscovado sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Select dark chocolate with minimal sugar content. Use sugar-free cola as liquid component.
• Dairy-Free Cola Chocolate Cake: Use coconut oil instead of butter. Select dairy-free chocolate for frosting.

Perfect Pairings With James Martin Chocolate Cola Cake

• Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Serve a rich, dark espresso or French press coffee alongside the cake. The robust coffee's bitter notes beautifully contrast the cake's sweet, chocolatey richness, creating a delightful flavor balance.
• Chill with Creamy Complement: Pair with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream. The cool, smooth texture of the cream cuts through the cake's intense chocolate and cola flavors, providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Enhance with Nutty Sidekick: Add a sprinkle of toasted pecans or almonds on the side. The crunchy nuts introduce a subtle earthiness and textural contrast that elevates the cake's complex taste profile.
• Sip Smooth Beverage Match: Select a glass of tawny port or sweet dessert wine.

Chocolate Cola Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours (including chilling and refrigeration)
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Chocolate cola cake adds moisture and richness with a splash of soda – a fun twist on a traditional bake that delivers surprising depth.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large free-range eggs
• 250g dark brown muscovado sugar
• 320g self-raising flour
• 80g cocoa powder
• 200ml buttermilk

Wet Ingredients:

• 120g unsalted butter, softened
• 250ml cola
• 120g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:

• 400g Bournville chocolate, roughly chopped
• 250g unsalted butter, diced
• 100ml cola
• 100ml water
• 50g dark muscovado sugar
• Cocoa powder to dust (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm deep cake tins with baking paper.
2. Stir the cola and dark brown muscovado sugar together in a bowl until the sugar has mostly dissolved. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar with an electric mixer for 3–4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Mix in the cocoa powder until fully combined.
4. In a jug, whisk the eggs and buttermilk until smooth. Slowly pour this into the cocoa mixture while mixing. Sift in the flour and baking soda, folding gently. Add the cola–muscovado mixture and beat until you have a smooth, slightly loose batter.
5. Divide the batter between the two tins. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
6. For the frosting, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a pan, heat the cola, water, butter, and muscovado sugar until the butter melts and the mixture boils. Pour over the chocolate and leave for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth and glossy. Cover with cling film and chill for about an hour, stirring now and then, until spreadable.
7. Once the cakes are cool, slice each one in half to make four layers. Place the first layer on a stand or plate, spread with frosting, and add the next layer. Repeat with the rest, then cover the whole cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing or swirling as you like. Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

• Swap regular sugar for coconut sugar to create a lower glycemic index version of the cake, reducing potential blood sugar spikes.
• Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly adaptation without compromising the rich chocolate flavor.
• Carefully monitor cake during baking since cola adds extra moisture, potentially extending cooking time by 2-3 minutes depending on oven variations.
• Consider chilling cake layers before frosting to prevent crumbling and ensure smoother chocolate coating application.

• Prep Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 439 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 221 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg