✔ Updated · fixed the leavening and amounts, warm cola fudge frosting and make-ahead tips
Cracker Barrel's Coca-Cola cake is a rich, fudgy chocolate sheet cake made with Coke and finished with a warm cola fudge frosting. This copycat version is a one-pan Southern classic that's ready in under an hour.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Frost the cake while it's still warm. The hot frosting sinks into the top and sets into a fudgy, glossy layer.
Why You'll Love This Copycat
- Fudgy and moist for days, thanks to buttermilk, butter and the cola.
- One saucepan, one bowl, no mixer needed for the cake or frosting.
- Feeds a crowd, perfect for potlucks, birthdays and holiday tables.
What Is Coca-Cola Cake?
Coca-Cola cake is a Southern chocolate sheet cake where cola goes into both the batter and the frosting. Cracker Barrel's double chocolate version made it famous, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It's closer to a Texas sheet cake than a layer cake: thin, very moist and topped with a cooked fudge frosting that's poured on while everything is still hot. My test for a copycat is simple: it has to taste like the memory, and this one does.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use regular Coca-Cola. The sugar in classic cola caramelizes and adds flavor. Diet cola's sweeteners can turn bitter when heated, so skip it here.
- Spoon and level the flour. Scooping straight from the bag packs in extra flour and makes the cake dry. I spoon it into the cup and level it with a knife.
- Don't overbake. Pull the cake when a toothpick shows moist crumbs. It keeps cooking a little in the hot pan, and the frosting adds moisture as it sets.
- Time the frosting. Start it about 5 minutes before the cake comes out, so hot frosting meets a hot cake. That's what gives the fudgy layer on top.
- Toast the pecans. 6 to 8 minutes at 350°F makes them crunchy and nutty. Leave them out for a nut-free cake; it's just as good.
Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake (Copycat)
15
pieces20
minutes35
minutes430
kcal55
minutesA copycat-style take on the Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola cake: a moist, fudgy chocolate sheet cake made with Coca-Cola, buttermilk and mini marshmallows, covered while warm in a glossy chocolate cola frosting. Makes one 9×13-inch cake, about 15 pieces.
Ingredients
- For the Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup Coca-Cola (full sugar, not diet)
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- For the Cola Fudge Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
4 cups (1 lb) powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
Directions
- Make the Cake
- Heat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the cocoa and Coca-Cola, whisking, and bring just to a boil. Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Whisk in the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until combined. Stir in the mini marshmallows. The batter will be thin and the marshmallows will float; that is normal.
- Pour into the pan, spread the marshmallows evenly and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Make the Frosting
- About 5 minutes before the cake is done, melt the butter with the cocoa and Coca-Cola in a saucepan and bring just to a boil. Take off the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and glossy. Stir in the pecans, if using.
- Pour the hot frosting over the warm cake right out of the oven and spread it to the edges. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes so the frosting sets, then cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with vanilla ice cream.
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No Buttermilk? Easy Swap
Stir 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar into 1/2 cup milk and let it sit for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Use it exactly like buttermilk. Plain yogurt thinned with a splash of milk works too.
Make It a Cracker Barrel Night
Serve this after our Cracker Barrel meatloaf with mac and cheese and green beans, or start the day with Cracker Barrel pancakes. Browse all our Cracker Barrel recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Coca-Cola do in a cake?
Coca-Cola adds moisture, a light caramel and spice flavor and a little acidity that helps the baking soda lift the cake. You don't really taste cola in the finished cake; it just makes the chocolate taste deeper and keeps the crumb soft.
Can I use Diet Coke or Coke Zero?
It's best to use regular Coca-Cola. Diet sodas don't add the sugar the recipe relies on for moisture and browning, and some sweeteners can taste bitter when baked. Regular Dr Pepper or root beer make fun swaps.
Why are there marshmallows in Coca-Cola cake?
Mini marshmallows are a classic part of Southern Coca-Cola cake. They float to the top while baking and melt into a soft, gooey layer under the frosting. If you'd rather skip them, the cake still bakes up moist and fudgy.
Do I need to refrigerate Coca-Cola cake?
No. Cover the cake and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Warm a square in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to make the frosting fudgy again.
Can I freeze Coca-Cola cake?
Yes. Once the frosting is fully set, wrap squares or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then warm individual pieces briefly before serving.
🍪 Filling a cookie tin? Find more holiday baking recipes for the season.
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