I’d like to bake the world a cake and serve it to the company~ It’s the real thing~ Coca-Cola cake is the real thing~!
When I was about 11 years old, my family stopped in Atlanta during one of our yearly migrations up the East Coast. There wasn’t much that any of us wanted to see in Atlanta, just a bottling plant that served tours and free drinks. The history of America’s beverage decorated the walls with old photographs and anecdotes. Our guide wore a hairnet, and after we were led through the storied past of the Coca-Cola Company, we watched through a window as bottles were filled with that caramel-colored drink I’d had a thousand times before — but never before with the context to appreciate it with.
Ever since Coca-Cola’s introduction in 1886, originally as a formulary syrup served in pharmacy soda fountains, it’s stood as a proud staple of American culture. Initially concocted with namesake ingredients coca leaf and kola nut, the flavor has developed and changed as decades have passed, and it no longer contains either of its root flavors. Yet, Coke still serves a sweet, fizzy refreshment that’s enjoyed by all. But did you know that Coca-Cola has more uses than just as a delightfully carbonated confectionary drink? You can make delicious cakes with it, too!
Soda cakes and bread are deliciously crumbly and moist, splendidly sweetened with a classic flavor (no matter which soda you use!), and our Coca-Cola cake is exactly that: decadent and delightfully leavened!
What Does Coca-Cola Taste Like, Exactly?
Coca-Cola originally tasted more like the ingredients for which it’s named, coca leaf and kola nut. Coca leaf, at the time of its invention, gave Coca-Cola much of its medicinal qualities (as many formularies served in pharmacies did) and kola nut gave it flavor and caffeine. Kola nut is closely related to the cacao plant and bears similarities in bitter flavor when unrefined; however, the Coca-Cola we know now is a sweet cocktail of citrus, cinnamon, and vanilla. In fact, the kola nut extract in Coca-Cola’s highly confidential formula has been missing since 2016.
Though kola nut and cocoa share flavor profiles, new Coke and chocolate still share a lot of flavor pairings like those found between bittersweet chocolate and tangy orange as well as the gourmand scents and flavors associated with sweet vanilla and spicy cinnamon. These combinations make the combination of Coca-Cola and chocolate work wondrously together in our Coca-Cola cake!
How Soda Cakes Work
When making a cake, one doesn’t often take the time to consider the leavening agents amongst the ingredients. Most cakes use both baking soda and baking powder to help create the aeration needed to get that essential light, fluffy texture (called “crumb” in baking circles). The secret to Coca-Cola cake (and any soda cake for that matter) is the carbonation! Sodas and beers are carbonated, meaning they release carbon dioxide bubbles into the cake batter and, effectively, leaven cake and bread all on their own! I’d say trust the process and the method in its madness but why not try it for yourself with any of your favorite flavors of soda?
How to Make Ahead and Store?
When storing your Coca-Cola cake, you’re going to want to frost exposed edges. That means any edge that’s been cut, exposing the porous crumb to the air, should be slathered in some of that delicious frosting and allowed to cool before wrapping in plastic. This ensures that the cake isn’t allowed to dry out in the fridge. In your refrigerator, your wrapped cake will be preserved for about five days and can be frozen for longer if needed. When it comes time to dig in again, microwave slices of your cake on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a wet paper towel to ensure no further moisture loss — that way, you can have a moist, delicious cake anytime!
Serving Suggestions
I can’t imagine serving lunch or dinner without a glass of Coca-Cola, but a Coca-Cola cake might just need something else! Why not try Coca-Cola cake with different frosting options like a classic buttercream frosting or a non-traditional no-butter cream cheese frosting! Top your Coca-Cola cake with homemade vanilla ice cream to get that classic Coke Float flavor! Pair the vanilla and chocolate of our Coca-Cola cake with the sweet fire of orange and cinnamon in a Family Stone cocktail or contrast the zesty spice of a Coke cake with mint and lime tea coolers!
Coca-Cola Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cola-flavored carbonated beverage
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter for frosting
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for frosting
- 6 tablespoons cola-flavored carbonated beverage for frosting
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup cola, 1/2 cup butter, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
- Pour the hot cola mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add this to the batter and stir until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For the frosting, in a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 6 tablespoons cola. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Pour the frosting over the warm cake, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
- Allow the cake to cool before slicing and serving.
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