Coke Cola Cake Recipe | Classic Chocolate Sheet Cake with Marshmallows

Coke Cola Chocolate Sheet Cake

This classic Coke Cola Cake is a vintage community-cookbook favorite: a soft chocolate sheet cake with mini marshmallows and a warm cocoa-Coke frosting poured on while the cake is hot. It’s easy, nostalgic, and perfect for serving a crowd.

Follow the steps below for the cake and the quick pour-on frosting.

🥤 Classic Southern Coca-Cola Cake

An incredibly rich, fudgy chocolate sheet cake made with real cola, tangy buttermilk, and miniature marshmallows that dissolve into a signature sweet, moist texture.

⏱️ Bake Time: 30–35 mins 🍽️ Yield: 12 Servings 🍳 Pan Size: 9×13×2-inch Pan

Ingredients

The Cake Batter:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter or margarine
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 cup Coke
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

The Warm Fudge Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter or margarine
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • 6 tablespoons Coke
  • 1 box powdered sugar (10x sugar)
  • 1 cup nuts (chopped, optional)

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Prep the Dry Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13×2-inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar; set aside.
  2. Boil the Chocolate Mix: In a saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 cup of butter, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, and 1 cup of Coke to a rolling boil. Pour this hot mixture directly over your flour and sugar blend, stirring well to combine.
  3. Finish the Batter: Mix in the buttermilk, slightly beaten eggs, baking soda, vanilla, and miniature marshmallows until just incorporated.
  4. Bake: Pour the smooth batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
  5. Prepare & Apply Frosting: While the cake finishes baking, prepare the frosting. Bring ½ cup of butter, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, and 6 tablespoons of Coke to a boil in a clean saucepan. Immediately pour the hot liquid over the box of powdered sugar and beat dynamically until completely smooth. Stir in the chopped nuts if desired, then pour and spread the hot icing over the warm cake straight out of the oven.

Coke Cola Cake FAQ

Why does this cake use Coke?

Coke adds moisture and helps deepen the cocoa flavor, giving the cake a classic sheet-cake texture.

Do I frost the cake while it’s warm?

Yes—this recipe is best when the frosting is poured and spread while both the frosting and cake are still warm.

Can I leave out the nuts?

Yes. The frosting works fine without nuts, or you can swap in chopped pecans or walnuts.

How should I store Coke Cola Cake?

Store covered at room temperature for 1–2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

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