Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake With Fudgy Frosting

Name: Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake With Fudgy Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 cup salted butter, divided; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 1/4 cups Coca-Cola, divided; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, divided; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract, divided; 4 cups powdered sugar; Vanilla ice cream, for serving

This Coca-Cola chocolate cake is a moist, rich Southern classic that uses real Coca-Cola in both the batter and fudgy frosting for deep chocolate flavor and tender crumb.

🍴Copycat

🌍American 🏷️Chocolate cake 🏷️Coca-cola cake 🏷️Sheet cake 🏷️Southern Dessert

🏷️

🏷️Baking

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

50 min

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup salted butter, divided
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups Coca-Cola, divided
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
4 cups powdered sugar
Vanilla ice cream, for servingoptional

12 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda.
3
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup salted butter, vegetable oil, 1 cup Coca-Cola, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, stirring until smooth.
4
Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a hand mixer until combined.
5
Add the buttermilk and mix for 30 seconds.
6
Mix in the eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until just combined.
7
Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish. Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
8
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup salted butter, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
10
Remove from heat and pour the mixture over the powdered sugar in a separate bowl. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
11
Whisk until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
12
Once the cake is done, let it cool for a few minutes. While the cake is still warm, pour the frosting over the top.
13
Spread the frosting evenly to cover the entire cake. Let it set before slicing.
14
Slice and serve, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use room-temperature eggs and buttermilk for a smoother batter that bakes evenly without dense spots.
Let the Coca-Cola go flat slightly before mixing into the batter to avoid overmixing and excess air bubbles.
Frost the cake while layers are completely cool to prevent frosting from melting; chill layers for 15 minutes before frosting for easier handling.
The frosting sets quickly as it cools, so work efficiently after cooking or rewarm gently over low heat if it becomes too firm.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → cake flour (use same amount; results in more tender crumb)
Vegetable oil → melted coconut oil (slight coconut undertone, similar moisture)
Unsweetened cocoa powder → Dutch-process cocoa (slightly darker, less acidic; reduce vanilla slightly)

Storage & make-ahead

Store the frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Common Questions

Can I use Diet Coke or Coke Zero instead of regular Coca-Cola?

Regular Coca-Cola is recommended for best flavor and texture, as the sugar content affects moisture and crumb. Diet versions may alter the cake's density and taste.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, typically 30-35 minutes. Overbaking will dry out the cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, bake the cake layers 1-2 days ahead and store unfrosted in an airtight container. Frost the day of serving for best texture.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

Mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit 5 minutes before using.

How should I store the frosted cake?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.