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Ultimate Southern Coca-Cola Chocolate Sheet Cake
Dolce Flav
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Soda Extract
Author:
Dolce Flav
Servings
18
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
This classic Southern Coca‑Cola chocolate cake combines the nostalgic flavor of cola with tender chocolate sponge and gooey, cola‑infused frosting. You whisk dry ingredients, bring together cola, butter, and cocoa briefly over heat, then beat them into the batter along with marshmallows for unexpected pockets of sweetness. Baked until golden, the hot cake is immediately showered with a rich frosting that merges cola, butter, cocoa, sugar, and pecans—seeping into the cake for maximum indulgence and crowd‑pleasing texture. A top SEO‑ranking recipe beloved for its ease, flavor, and retro charm.
Ingredients
Cake
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2 cups all‑purpose flour
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2 cups granulated sugar
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1 cup unsalted butter
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1 cup cola‑flavored carbonated beverage
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3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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1½ cups miniature marshmallows
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½ cup buttermilk
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp baking soda
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting
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½ cup unsalted butter
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6 Tbsp cola‑flavored carbonated beverage
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2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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4 cups confectioners' sugar
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1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13‑inch baking pan.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and sugar.
Heat flavor base: In a saucepan, melt butter with cola and cocoa powder until just boiling—this intensifies chocolate flavor and fuses cola notes.
Blend batter: Pour hot cola mixture over the dry mix, stir in marshmallows, then fold in buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla until smooth.
Bake: Spread batter evenly into the pan and bake about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Make frosting: While cake bakes, combine butter, cola, and cocoa in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in confectioners' sugar until glossy; stir in pecans if desired.
Frost while hot: As soon as the cake is out of the oven, pour the warm frosting over it to create a slightly crisp, fudgy top and let it seep into the cake. Serve warm for best indulgence!
Recipe Note
10 Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this Coca‑Cola cake so moist and soft?
The carbonation and acidity in cola lighten the crumb and act like a leavening agent, while boiling it with butter and cocoa yields richness.
Can I leave out the marshmallows?
Yes—marshmallows add gooey pockets of sweetness but are optional.
Is it necessary to pour frosting while the cake is hot?
Yes—warm pour creates a fudgy crust and allows the frosting to soak in just right.
Can I skip the pecans in the frosting?
Absolutely—pecans are optional and can be omitted for simpler flavor.
Why is buttermilk used, not milk?
Buttermilk adds gentle tang and reacts with the baking soda to yield a tender crumb.
Is regular or diet cola better?
Regular cola gives fuller flavor and richer caramel undertones.
Can I bake this in a different pan size?
Yes—bake until a toothpick comes out clean; thinner pans will require less time, deeper ones more.
How to store leftovers?
Cover tightly—store at room temperature for 2–3 days; refrigerate up to a week.
Can I make this vegan?
Yes—a recent version includes vegan butter, plant-based milk, and omits eggs/marshmallows while keeping cola in both cake and frosting.
Why is cola used instead of water?
Cola adds flavor, sweetness, acidity, and carbonation that elevates both taste and texture beyond plain water.