Coca-Cola Sheet Cake Recipe

Learn how to make this homemade Coca-Cola sheet cake with its signature moist, fudgy texture and glossy chocolate frosting. This Southern classic uses actual cola for a unique caramel flavor that makes it the best easy baking recipe for potlucks and family gatherings.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Serves:

1 sheet cake (20 slices)

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the cake:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250g plain flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60g unsweetened cocoa powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">225g unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">240ml Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml buttermilk (or 120ml milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 large eggs, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the frosting:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">115g unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">45g unsweetened cocoa powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml Coca-Cola</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g icing sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving

🔥 Calories: 325 calories

🥑 Fat: 15 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 8 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 48 g

🍭 Sugar: 38 g

🍗 Protein: 3 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 55 mg

🧂 Sodium: 180 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">33x23cm (13x9-inch) baking pan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Medium saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Electric mixer (stand or hand)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease your 33x23cm baking pan thoroughly. For extra insurance against sticking, you can line the bottom with parchment paper, but this isn't essential for this moist cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder until well combined and no cocoa lumps remain. This thorough mixing ensures your cake will have an even chocolate flavor throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and Coca-Cola. Heat until the butter is completely melted, but don't allow the mixture to boil – we're just using the heat to melt the butter and slightly reduce the cola, which concentrates its flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Remove the saucepan from heat and pour the warm cola mixture over the dry ingredients. Whisk gently but thoroughly until just combined – you'll see the mixture bubble slightly as the baking soda reacts with the acidic cola, which helps create the cake's signature texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla to the batter, whisking until smooth and well incorporated. The buttermilk's acidity works with the cola to create an exceptionally tender crumb structure.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Pour the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to ensure it's evenly distributed. The batter will be quite thin compared to traditional cake batters – this is expected and contributes to the cake's moist texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake – this cake should remain moist and somewhat fudgy.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Remove the frosting mixture from heat and gradually whisk in the icing sugar, about 125g at a time, until fully incorporated and no lumps remain. The heat helps dissolve the sugar, creating that signature glossy finish. Stir in the vanilla extract and nuts if using.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the warm frosting over the hot cake. This is crucial to achieving the classic finish – the hot cake and warm frosting bind together as they cool, creating that distinctive crackly top. Work quickly as the frosting starts to set fast.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, about 1-2 hours. As it cools, the frosting will set to a soft, fudgy finish that's the hallmark of this Southern classic.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Once completely cool, cut into squares and serve. This cake actually improves with time as the cola flavor develops, making it perfect for preparing a day ahead for gatherings. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Coca-Cola Sheet Cake Recipe?

The key ingredients include Coca-Cola (regular, not diet), unsweetened cocoa powder, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk for the cake. The glossy frosting requires butter, cocoa powder, more Coca-Cola, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and optional nuts.

How to cook Coca-Cola Sheet Cake Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Coca-Cola Sheet Cake by combining dry ingredients, melting butter with cola, mixing in eggs and buttermilk, then baking until just set. The signature step is pouring warm chocolate-cola frosting over the hot cake, creating that distinctive crackling finish as both cool together. The entire process takes under an hour.

Why does this chocolate cake recipe use Coca-Cola instead of water or milk?

The Coca-Cola adds unique caramel notes and acidity that creates an exceptionally moist, tender crumb. The carbonation in cola also acts as a leavening agent, while its sugars caramelise during baking, creating deeper flavour complexity than regular liquid ingredients could provide.

Can I make this sheet cake ahead of time for a potluck or gathering?

This cake is actually perfect for making 1-2 days ahead, as the cola flavours develop and deepen over time. The frosting sets to a perfectly stable finish that travels well. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

What's the secret to achieving that glossy, crackly frosting finish?

The distinctive glossy top comes from pouring the warm frosting over the hot cake immediately after baking. This timing is crucial—the heat from both allows them to partially meld together as they cool, creating that signature crackling finish that's the hallmark of Southern cola cakes.

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