Of course! The Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake is a legendary Southern dessert. It’s incredibly moist, rich, and fudgy, with a unique depth of flavor from the Coca-Cola. The soda doesn’t make it taste like cola; instead, it enhances the chocolate flavor and creates an unbelievably tender crumb.
Here is a classic, foolproof recipe.
Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
This recipe includes a decadent Coca-Cola frosting that is poured over the warm cake.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 cups granulated sugar
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· ½ teaspoon salt
· 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
· 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural, not Dutch-process)
· 1 cup Coca-Cola (do not use diet)
· ½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
· 2 large eggs, room temperature
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coca-Cola Frosting:
· ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
· 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
· 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
· 1 box (16 oz / ~4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Part 1: Make the Cake
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Make the Chocolate-Cola Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the 1 cup of butter, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 cup of Coca-Cola. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat immediately once it boils.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Pour the hot chocolate-cola mixture over the dry flour mixture. Stir with a whisk until just combined.
- Add Remaining Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Add this to the batter and whisk until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Part 2: Make the Frosting & Finish
- Start Frosting Early: About 5 minutes before the cake is done baking, start making the frosting.
- Melt Frosting Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the ½ cup butter, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, and 6 tablespoons of Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat.
- Add Sugar & Flavor: Whisk in the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla until the frosting is smooth. If using, stir in the chopped nuts.
- Frost the Warm Cake: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm frosting evenly over the top of the hot cake. Use a spatula to spread it gently to the edges.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. The frosting will set into a delicious, fudgy glaze. This cake is very moist and is actually best if made a few hours ahead or even the day before.
Recipe Tips & FAQs
· Why Coca-Cola? The carbonation and unique flavor profile of Coke act as a tenderizer and leavening agent, making the cake incredibly moist. The acidity also helps balance the sweetness.
· Buttermilk Substitute: No buttermilk? Add 1½ teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a ½ cup measuring cup, then fill it with whole milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles.
· Sifting Powdered Sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar for the frosting is highly recommended to avoid lumps.
· Texture: This cake is dense, moist, and fudgy—more like a brownie than a light, fluffy cake.
· Serving: Cut into squares and serve directly from the pan. It’s fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
· Storage: Cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap. The cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Enjoy this rich, decadent, and uniquely Southern treat