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Coca Cola Cake

Coca Cola Cake

This Old-Fashioned Coca-Cola Cake is a rich, fudgy, and incredibly moist Southern classic. The secret is blooming the cocoa powder in boiling cola, and pouring a warm, crackly fudge frosting directly over the hot cake to lock in the decadent moisture!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cake:
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour spooned and leveled
  • 2 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter 2 sticks
  • 1 cup Coca-Cola Classic, full-sugar
  • ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • ½ cup Buttermilk room temperature
  • 2 large Eggs lightly beaten, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Miniature Marshmallows optional, but highly recommended
  • For the Coca-Cola Fudge Frosting:
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter 1 stick
  • ⅓ cup Coca-Cola
  • ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar sifted
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and sea salt until evenly distributed.
  • Boil the Cola Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of Coca-Cola, and ¼ cup of cocoa powder. Whisk frequently until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Immediately remove from the heat.
  • Mix the Batter: Carefully pour the hot cola mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined.
  • Add the Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Add this to the batter and gently fold until incorporated. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the miniature marshmallows.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Prepare the Frosting (Start this with 10 minutes left on the cake's bake time): In a clean saucepan, combine ½ cup of butter, ⅓ cup of Coca-Cola, and ¼ cup of cocoa powder. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract until completely smooth and glossy. Fold in chopped pecans if using.
  • Pour and Seal: As soon as you remove the hot cake from the oven, immediately pour the warm frosting evenly over the top. Use an offset spatula to gently spread it to the edges.
  • Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan at room temperature. The frosting will set and form a slight crust as it cools. Slice and serve!