Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake (Ultra Moist Sheet Cake)
If you love old-school Southern desserts, this one is going to steal your heart. Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake bakes up soft, deeply chocolatey, and gets finished with a warm pour-over frosting that sets into that famous fudgy top layer. It’s simple, no fancy decorating, and it feeds a crowd without breaking a sweat.
Flavor & Texture Highlights
Think rich cocoa flavor with a super tender, moist crumb—then a glossy chocolate frosting that sinks in just a little while everything is warm. The result is a cake that’s soft underneath with a melt-in-your-mouth, brownie-like top.
Jump to Section
- Why You’ll Love This
- What You’ll Need
- How to Make It
- Expert Tips
- How to Store It
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
- Ultra moist and tender (no dry sheet cake here).
- One-pan, crowd-friendly dessert for potlucks and parties.
- That warm frosting trick creates a fudgy, bakery-style top.
- Simple ingredients, big chocolate payoff.
What You’ll Need to Make This Cake
The full measurements are in the recipe card below, but here’s what you’ll grab:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda and salt
- Butter
- Regular Coca-Cola (not diet)
- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Powdered sugar (for the frosting)
How to Make Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
You’ll whisk your dry ingredients in a big bowl, then heat butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola together just until smooth and gently bubbling. That hot chocolate-cola mixture gets poured into the dry ingredients, then you stir in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Bake until set, then immediately pour the warm frosting over the warm cake so it turns into that signature fudgy layer.
Expert Tips
- Use regular Coca-Cola: the sugar matters for texture and flavor.
- Do not overbake: pull it when a toothpick comes out clean (start checking early).
- Pour frosting while hot: warm cake + warm frosting is the whole magic.
- Sift powdered sugar: it helps the frosting turn out silky and smooth.
How to Store and Reheat It
- Room temp: Cover tightly and keep 2–3 days.
- Fridge: Also fine, but let slices sit a bit before serving for best texture.
- Freezer: Wrap slices well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.
What Makes This Recipe Shine
The warm pour-over frosting is the secret. Instead of sitting on top like a regular icing, it lightly soaks in and sets into a soft, fudgy layer—so every bite tastes like a chocolate cake and brownie hybrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it taste like Coca-Cola?
No. It simply boosts the chocolate flavor and makes the texture extra tender.
Can I use Pepsi?
Yes, it works. Coca-Cola is the classic choice, but Pepsi will still give you a moist cake.
Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely. It’s even better the next day once the frosting fully settles.
Why did my cake turn out dry?
Overbaking is usually the reason. Start checking a few minutes early and pull it as soon as it’s set.
Meta Description
Ultra moist Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with warm fudgy frosting. Easy Southern sheet cake for potlucks, parties, and chocolate lovers.
Call to Action
If you make this cake, leave a comment and tell me how you served it—plain, with ice cream, or straight from the pan. I love hearing your twists.
Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Coca-Cola (not diet)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan (or a jelly roll pan for a thinner cake).
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda until evenly combined.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together butter, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola until smooth. Bring just to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
- Pour the hot cocoa-cola mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth. Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla; mix until glossy and fully combined.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes (or as it comes out), make frosting: in a saucepan, heat butter, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola until smooth and hot. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until spreadable.
- Immediately pour the hot frosting over the hot cake and spread gently. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Pour the frosting while both the cake and frosting are hot for the classic fudgy top.
- Serve slightly warm, room temperature, or chilled—each one is delicious in its own way.