Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Irresistible Coca Cola Cake Recipe: Sweet Southern Magic

Sweet coca cola cake brings magic to classic dessert traditions with unexpected fizzy charm.

Southern kitchens have long embraced this playful twist on traditional chocolate treats.

Carbonated soda works surprising wonders in creating incredible moisture and rich depth.

Soft crumb and deep chocolate notes emerge from an unlikely ingredient partnership.

Home bakers appreciate how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Chocolate lovers will adore this nostalgic recipe that connects childhood memories with contemporary baking techniques.

We guarantee this cake will become your new favorite dessert sensation.

Everything You’ll Need For Nigella Coca Cola Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
Main Liquid Ingredients:
  • Coca Cola, Buttermilk: These liquids contribute moisture and enhance the cake's rich flavor profile.
Binding and Enriching Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cake ingredients together.
  • Marshmallows, Butter: Add softness and contribute to the cake's unique texture and flavor.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Baking Soda: Improve the cake's overall taste and help with leavening.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Butter, Coca Cola, Cocoa Powder: Form the base of the rich chocolate frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar, Pecans: Add sweetness and a crunchy texture to the frosting.

How To Bake Nigella Coca Cola Cake Step By Step

How To Bake Nigella Coca Cola Cake Step By Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 175°C / 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Coca Cola Liquid Base

In a saucepan, bring to a bubbling boil:
  • Butter
  • Cocoa powder
  • Coca Cola

Stir in marshmallows until they melt into a smooth, glossy mixture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Pour the hot liquid over a bowl containing:
  • Flour
  • Sugar

Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor

Blend in:
  • Eggs
  • Buttermilk
  • Baking soda
  • Vanilla extract

Stir until the batter becomes silky and uniform.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes.

Step 6: Whip Up Decadent Frosting

While the cake bakes, create the frosting by heating:
  • Butter
  • Coca Cola
  • Cocoa powder
Stir in:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Chopped pecans

Step 7: Finish and Cool

Immediately pour the warm frosting over the hot cake. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Baking Tips For Nigella Coca Cola Cake Lovers

  • Boost Moisture Magic: Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to ensure smooth cake batter and prevent clumping for a super moist texture.
  • Prevent Dry Edges: Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast pecans before adding to frosting to release their natural oils and create a richer, nuttier taste that complements the chocolate.
  • Smooth Frosting Technique: Pour warm frosting over hot cake immediately after baking to help it spread evenly and create a glossy, professional-looking finish.
  • Storage Secret: Cover cake loosely with foil to maintain moisture and prevent hardening, keeping it deliciously soft for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Tasty Twists On Nigella Coca Cola Cake Recipe

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of buttermilk. Swap marshmallows with vegan marshmallow alternatives.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Low-Sugar Modification: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar. Replace Coca-Cola with zero-sugar cola variant to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Nut-Free Version: Omit pecans from frosting. Add chocolate chips or coconut flakes for extra texture and flavor complexity.

Perfect Pairings For Nigella Coca Cola Cake

  • Perfect Soda-Inspired Drink Pairing: Classic Coca Cola chilled in a tall glass with ice, echoing the cake's signature ingredient and creating a nostalgic flavor harmony.
  • Complementary Bourbon Companion: Smooth bourbon whiskey served neat or on the rocks, which cuts through the cake's sweetness and provides a rich, warming contrast to the chocolate notes.
  • Dessert Wine Delight: Southern-style muscadine wine or a sweet port, offering a deep fruity undertone that beautifully enhances the cake's rich chocolate and nutty pecan elements.
  • Coffee Flavor Enhancer: Strong black coffee or espresso, which intensifies the cake's deep chocolate profile and provides a robust counterpoint to its sugary sweetness.

How To Store Nigella Coca Cola Cake The Smart Way

  • Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
  • Slice cake, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
  • Warm individual slices on 50% power for 15-20 seconds. Check temperature to avoid overheating and maintain moisture.
  • Warm cake at 150C/300F for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent edges from becoming too crisp or dry.

FAQs About Nigella Coca Cola Cake

  • What makes Coca Cola Cake unique?

The cake uses Coca Cola as a key ingredient, creating a rich, moist texture and adding a subtle caramel-like flavor that sets it apart from traditional chocolate cakes.

  • Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?

You can replace buttermilk with regular milk and a splash of vinegar, and use vegetable oil instead of butter if needed. However, Coca Cola is essential to the cake’s distinctive taste.

  • Is this cake very sweet?

Yes, the cake is quite sweet due to the Coca Cola, marshmallows, and sugary frosting. It’s a decadent dessert best enjoyed in moderation.

  • Why are marshmallows used in the recipe?

Marshmallows help create a super moist texture and add extra sweetness to the cake, contributing to its unique soft and rich consistency.

Why Nigella Coca Cola Cake Is A Fun Surprise

Why Nigella Coca Cola Cake Is A Fun Surprise
  • Elevate Family Gatherings: This Coca Cola Cake brings everyone together with its nostalgic flavor and crowd-pleasing sweetness, perfect for potlucks and family celebrations.
  • Simplify Baking Adventures: With straightforward ingredients and basic mixing steps, home bakers of all skill levels can confidently create this delightful dessert without stress.
  • Transform Classic Comfort: Reimagine traditional chocolate cake by infusing unexpected soda magic, creating a unique twist that surprises taste buds and sparks conversation.
  • Maximize Flavor Potential: The recipe cleverly uses Coca Cola to enhance moisture and depth, resulting in a rich, decadent cake that's more exciting than standard chocolate versions.
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Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Coca Cola Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet Southern comfort meets soda-infused Coca Cola Cake, a nostalgic dessert blending rich chocolate and classic cola flavors. Moist layers promise indulgent moments where simplicity and tradition dance on your palate, inviting you to savor every delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup Coca-Cola
  • 2 eggs
  • 112 cups mini marshmallows

Wet Ingredients and Leavening Agents:

  • 12 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 12 cup butter
  • 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 175°C/350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking tin with light greasing.
  2. Combine butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola in a saucepan, bringing to a rapid boil while stirring continuously.
  3. Melt marshmallows into the hot liquid mixture until smooth and fully incorporated.
  4. Transfer hot mixture into a large mixing bowl containing flour and sugar, mixing thoroughly until well blended.
  5. Incorporate eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla extract, whisking until a uniform batter forms.
  6. Pour cake batter into prepared baking tin, ensuring even distribution.
  7. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. During baking, prepare frosting by heating butter, Coca-Cola, and cocoa in a saucepan over medium heat.
  9. Blend powdered sugar and chopped pecans into the warm frosting mixture, stirring until glossy and smooth.
  10. Remove cake from oven and immediately pour warm frosting over the hot cake surface.
  11. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Swap marshmallows with vegetarian gelatin for a meat-free version that maintains the cake’s signature gooey texture.
  • For a gluten-sensitive diet, use a reliable gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour to keep the cake’s rich chocolate flavor.
  • Toast pecans before adding to frosting to enhance their nutty aroma and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
  • Reduce sugar content by using half the recommended amount and replacing with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie dessert option.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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