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My Coca-Cola Cake recipe takes a different twist by adding flavorful cognac to the cake batter. This makes a delicious spiked cake with vanilla cake instead of the traditional chocolate cake.
Here are more yummy desserts for your sweet tooth: Sweet Potato Pie, Banana Pudding, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Buttermilk Pound Cake, and New Orleans Bread Pudding.
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I've had this cake in my mind for about ten years now. Ever since I received Chef Louis Evan's Creole cookbook and saw his recipe for cola cake, I knew that one day I would spike it and add my twist to it.
However, I went against the traditional chocolate Coca-Cola cake recipe he and many others use. I believe that the chocolate doesn't really highlight the crisp caramel flavor of Coca-Cola.
Plus, as much of a chocolate lover as I am, I know that the chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder in a chocolate cake would overpower the smooth and subtle flavors of the cognac. If you're really into chocolate cake with buttermilk, scroll down and check out my Texas sheet cake recipe.
My cola cake uses French vanilla pudding mix, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, coconut oil, and eggs, adding a depth of flavor that pairs well with Coca-Cola. Have you ever had a vanilla Coke? I have, and the flavor is good!
A Hennessey and Coke glaze saturates a moist cake with a rich flavor. The cake is finished with a cream cheese frosting that ties everything together. Let's jump into making this unique cake.
Key Ingredients
To make a moist cola cake recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour
I always use unbleached all-purpose flour to give the cake a better structure.
French Vanilla Pudding Mix
The cornstarch makes the cake tender, and the French vanilla flavor adds a ton of flavor.
Brown Sugar
The molasses in brown sugar complements Coca-Cola's natural caramel flavor, so you can use dark or light brown sugar.
Leaving Ingredients
You'll need baking soda and baking powder to give this cake height and a light texture.
Coca Cola
I recommend using traditional Coke and avoiding diet soda. However, cherry Coke could add a great flavor, too!
Hennessy
The floral and vanilla notes of Hennessy V.S. are like the grown-up version of vanilla extract. Most of the alcohol will burn off as it's baked, leaving behind all the wonderful cognac flavors.
Coconut Oil
The natural sweetness of coconut complements cakes beautifully. Add the caramel notes from Coca-Cola, and you have a match made in heaven. Also, oil-based cakes are more tender and lighter than cakes made with butter only.
Cream Cheese
Only use full-flavored cream cheese. Avoid the fat-free or reduced-fat versions. We're eating cake, and we want all the flavors!
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar will add the body and sweetness to the cream cheese frosting.
How to Make Coca-Cola Cake Spiked
My cola cake recipe is straightforward: you dump everything in a bowl, mix it properly, and then bake a cake that smells and tastes fantastic!
Cola Cake
Preheat the oven to 325°F/176°C. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl and mix at medium to low speed until combined.
Add Hennessey, coca-cola, oil, and eggs to the flour mixture.
Mix on low speed to break up the eggs, then turn up to medium speed and mix until the cake batter is smooth.
Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 cake pan and bake for 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. A few moist crumbs on it are okay.
Glaze
Add sugar, unsalted butter, Hennessey, and coke to a medium pan over medium heat and bring to a light boil until the butter melts.
When the cake comes out of the oven, pour it evenly. Cool the warm cake for 30 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, coke, and Hennessey in a medium bowl.
Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until thick, light, and fluffy.
Spread evenly over the cake, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour for best results before slicing.
Otherwise, cut the cake and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Storing Leftover Cake
Cola cake is best three days after it's made but will remain fresh for about four days if covered on the counter in a cool place. It will stay fresher longer if slices are individually wrapped in plastic and placed in an airtight container in the fridge for seven days.
Freeze the individually wrapped pieces of cake in a freezer-safe container or freezer storage bag for up to three months. Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating.
Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds any longer, and you'll melt the cream cheese icing.
Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips & Tricks
Here are a few ideas to remember when making this recipe your own.
- When measuring flour, always use the scoop-and-pour method. Scoop the flour with a ½ cup and pour into 1 cup until filled, then use the back of a butter knife to scrape off the excess. This ensures you don't get more flour than what was called for. Scooping flour can pack it in, causing you to use more flour and producing a drier cake.
- If you forget to take your eggs out, crack them into a bowl and proceed to prep ingredients or cover them with warm tap water for 5 minutes to knock the chill off.
- I love using coconut oil for baking; however, you can use any oil you have at home.
- Feel free to swap out the brown sugar for white granulated sugar.
- You can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-friendly.
- To make this cake alcohol-free, swap the Hennessey for more Coca-Cola.
- Confectioners sugar and powdered sugar are similar, so use them interchangeably for this recipe. The cornstarch in confectioners sugar helps the cream cheese frosting stay thick and fluffy.
- Only use regular cream cheese; avoid using the reduced-fat versions.
- Feel free to garnish the cake with some chopped pecans.
- Use a baking spray or my cake grease recipe for your prepared pan. Combine two tablespoons of flour in a small bowl with one tablespoon of oil.
FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making Coca-Cola cake.
Does Coca-Cola Cake need to be refrigerated overnight?
Refrigerating Coca-Cola Cake overnight is unnecessary unless it contains perishable toppings like cream cheese frosting or whipped cream. If your cola cake has a simple glaze or no frosting, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. However, refrigerating it can help keep the cake fresher longer, and the flavors may deepen as it rests.
Does soda and cake mix work?
Yes, soda and cake mix work together beautifully! Mixing soda with a boxed cake mix is a quick and fun way to make a moist, fluffy cake with minimal ingredients. The carbonation in the soda helps create a light, tender texture while adding a hint of flavor depending on the soda you use. Using Coca-Cola brings in a subtle sweetness and a rich depth for cola cake that perfectly complements chocolate cake recipes.
What is Coca-Cola Cake made of?
Coca-Cola Cake is a Southern classic made with a few key ingredients. Usually, it features all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and a generous splash of Coca-Cola in the batter! It's often paired with cocoa powder for a chocolatey base and finished with a Coca-Cola-infused glaze or frosting. Some variations include nuts like pecans or marshmallows for extra texture. Coca-Cola gives the cake a moist structure and a unique caramel-like sweetness.
Is Coca-Cola Cake sold in Cracker Barrel stores?
Cracker Barrel is famous for serving Coca-Cola Cake as part of its dessert menu. Their cake version is rich and chocolatey and topped with velvety chocolate icing. It's often served warm and is a nostalgic treat for many diners. If you need more clarification about availability, it's best to check with your local Cracker Barrel restaurant since menu offerings vary by location.
Can you mix Coca-Cola with baking soda?
While you can technically mix Coca-Cola with baking soda, this combination is not for baking. Adding baking soda to Coca-Cola causes a fizzing reaction due to the soda's acidity interacting with the alkaline nature of the baking soda. While it's fun to watch as a science experiment, it's not something you'd use in a cooking or baking recipe. For cola cake, Coca-Cola itself enhances flavor and moisture without requiring baking soda.
More Cake Recipes
Here are some more moist and crowd-pleasing cakes to try!
- Lemon Loaf Pound Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Sweet Potato Pound Cake
- Butter Rum Cake
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Blackout Cake
Before You Begin
Before getting started, here are the steps I use to get organized.
Step 1: Read the recipe once to ensure you have all the ingredients.
Step 2: Measure everything out into individual bowls to move faster.
Step 3: We want everyone to be satisfied, so use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is calibrated. Any temperature difference can dramatically affect the results of your final recipe.
Step 4: Follow the recipe and prepare for the best Coca-Cola cake you've ever enjoyed.
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📖 Recipe
Coca Cola Cake Spiked
Ingredients
Cola Cake
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 4 oz. French vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup Hennessy
- ½ cup coca cola
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 4 large eggs room temperature
Glaze
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Hennessy
- ¼ cup coca cola
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter sliced into room temperature
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1 lb. powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon coca cola
- 1 tablespoon Hennessy
Instructions
Cola Cake
- Preheat the oven to 325°F/176°C. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl and mix at medium to low speed until combined.
- Add Hennessey, coca-cola, oil, and eggs to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed to break up the eggs, then turn up to medium speed and mix until the cake batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 cake pan and bake for 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. A few moist crumbs on it are okay.
Glaze
- Add sugar, unsalted butter, Hennessey, and coca-cola to a medium pan over medium heat and bring to a light boil until the butter melts. When the cake comes out of the oven, pour it evenly. Cool the warm cake for 30 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Combine butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, coca-cola, and Hennessey in a medium bowl. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until thick, light, and fluffy. Spread evenly over the cake, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour for best results before slicing. Otherwise, cut the cake and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- When measuring flour, always use the scoop-and-pour method. Scoop the flour with a ½ cup and pour into 1 cup until filled, then use the back of a butter knife to scrape off the excess. This ensures you don't get more flour than what was called for. Scooping flour can pack it in, causing you to use more flour and producing a drier cake.
- If you forget to take your eggs out, crack them into a bowl and proceed to prep ingredients or cover them with warm tap water for 5 minutes to knock the chill off.
- I love using coconut oil for baking; however, you can use any oil you have at home.
- Feel free to swap out the brown sugar for white granulated sugar.
- You can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-friendly.
- To make this cake alcohol-free, swap the Hennessey for more Coca-Cola.
- Confectioners sugar and powdered sugar are similar, so use them interchangeably for this recipe. The cornstarch in confectioners sugar helps the cream cheese frosting stay thick and fluffy.
- Only use regular cream cheese; avoid using the reduced-fat versions.
- Feel free to garnish the cake with some chopped pecans.
- Use a baking spray or my cake grease recipe for your prepared pan. Combine two tablespoons of flour in a small bowl with one tablespoon of oil.
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