My Grandmother loved making desserts and I’ve accumulated some amazing vintage cake recipes thanks to her. Since we live in Atlanta, we’re all about Coca-Cola® and it’s influence on the world. It’s a southern product that we’re proud of. This is the original Coca-Cola Cake recipe that was published over a century ago in ladies magazines. It’s a moist, yet dense, chocolate cake that’s made with Coke and topped with a chocolate buttercream frosting. This is a classic cake recipe that will never go out of style!

Adding the cup of Coke to this cake gives it an ultra rich flavor. It really brings out the chocolate and adds an extra touch of sweetness. You don’t want to make the mistake of using Diet – you’ve got to use the real deal. The original Coca-Cola is what this recipe calls for and why it’s so delicious.

I don’t know the exact origins of the Coca-Cola Cake, but most of the vintage advertisements include the Santa that the company is known for. I’m assuming the recipe was created to promote Coke during the holiday season, but you can make this cake all year round. My Husband loves it so much that he’s even asked for it as a birthday cake!

Looking for more great cake recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

• Kentucky Bourbon Bundt Cake
• Original Bacardi Rum Cake Recipe
• Southern Hummingbird Cake Recipe

The Original Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

For this recipe, you’ll use a 9×13-inch baking dish. Since it’s such a large dish, you’ll get more servings than a traditional round cake pan. I cut nice square servings pieces when it’s frosted and serve it as a sweet ending to a great meal.

What To Serve With Coca-Cola Cake

Honestly, the cake is delicious on it’s own because it’s so sweet. However, I love the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk. When I make the cake for guests, I always make a fresh pot of coffee too. I wouldn’t serve the cake to enjoy with a Coke – because that’s too much and overkill.

How To Temper Eggs Before Adding Them To The Batter

You start this recipe on the stovetop, where you’re making a syrup from the Coke. When you’re making the batter of the cake, you’ll add two eggs into the recipe – but the batter is hot – thanks to the syrup. You’ll want to temper the eggs so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs.

To temper eggs, whisk a little of the hot ingredient into the eggs. For this recipe, that means I add a bit of the warm batter into the eggs and whisk before adding all of it to the batter bowl.

It’s important to whisk constantly and vigorously as the hot ingredient is added. By keeping the eggs moving constantly, you raise the temperature of the eggs gradually, keeping them from cooking.

How To Store Leftover Coca-Cola Cake

If you have any leftovers, you’ll want to add plastic wrap over the top of your baking dish. I like to store the cake in the same dish that it was baked in and refrigerate it. I let it thaw to room temperature before serving again – about 15 minutes. It will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Remove the cake from the baking dish and freeze it in plastic wrap. Let the cake thaw for about 12 hours before serving again. 

Potential Substitutions For This Recipe

This recipe uses heavy whipping cream to make the frosting. You can substitute whole milk if you don’t have any cream. It will be less rich. 

Since this is the original recipe, I am following it exactly as it was originally published, when cooking sprays did not exist. You butter and flour the baking dish before adding your batter. However, if you prefer non-stick cooking spray, you can certainly go ahead and use that instead.

DO NOT substitute the Coke for Diet Coke – just don’t even do it!

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

• Coca Cola
• Vegetable Oil
• Butter
• Cocoa Powder
• Sugar
• Flour
• Salt
• Buttermilk
• Baking Soda
• Vanilla
• Cream
• Confectioner’s Sugar (Powdered Sugar)

Directions To Make The Original Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

In a medium saucepan, mix Coca-Cola, oil, butter, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil.

In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Pour the boiling Cola mixture over the flour mixture and beat well.

Add the eggs (by tempering the eggs first), buttermilk, soda and vanilla to the mixture. Beat well.

Pour mixture into a greased and floured 9×13-inch baking dish and bake at 350º for 40-45 minutes – until center comes out clean with a toothpick. Let the cake cool completely.

For the frosting, Combine the butter, cocoa powder and milk in a saucepan. Heat until the butter melts. Beat in the remaining ingredients and spread onto the cake using a frosting knife.

Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk!