Introduction

The Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake is a classic Southern dessert known for its rich chocolate flavor and moist texture. This unique cake uses Coca-Cola in both the batter and frosting, creating a deliciously fudgy and unforgettable treat. Perfect for gatherings or an everyday indulgence.

Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
¼ cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or use baking spray with flour. Set the pan aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt the cubed butter with the cup of Coca-Cola over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat once melted and smooth. Do not boil.
Step 4: Pour the hot butter and Coca-Cola mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; the batter will be thin.
Step 5: Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined, with no streaks of egg remaining.
Step 6: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should spring back lightly when pressed.
Step 8: While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt the cubed butter, Coca-Cola, and cocoa powder over medium heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat immediately.
Step 9: Whisk in the powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. If too thick, add a splash of Coca-Cola or milk to reach a pourable consistency.
Step 10: When the cake is hot from the oven, pour the warm frosting evenly over the top. The heat will help it soak into the cake, creating a fudgy glaze.
Step 11: Let the frosting set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until firm but not hard. For faster setting, place in the refrigerator briefly.
Step 12: Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a darker, less bitter chocolate flavor.
If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute by adding ½ tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to ½ cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Reduce added salt slightly if using salted butter in the recipe.
For extra richness, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Reheat individual slices briefly in the microwave to enjoy warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use diet soda instead of regular Coca-Cola?

It’s best to use regular Coca-Cola because the sugar content contributes to the cake’s moist texture and flavor. Diet versions may alter the taste and texture.

Can this cake be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but results may vary. Ensure your baking soda and cocoa powder are gluten-free as well.

Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake Recipe

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5 from 76 reviews

This Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake is a classic Southern dessert renowned for its rich chocolate flavor enhanced by the unique moisture and subtle tang of Coca-Cola. Featuring a tender, moist chocolate cake with a luscious, fudgy Coca-Cola-infused frosting poured over while still warm, this recipe brings a nostalgic and irresistible treat to your table. Perfect for any gathering or as a comforting homemade indulgence.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coca-Cola Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Coca-Cola Cake Frosting:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
¼ cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or use baking spray with flour. Set the pan aside to use later.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined and free of lumps.
Melt Butter and Coca-Cola: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cubed butter and 1 cup Coca-Cola. Stir occasionally until the butter fully melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and avoid boiling.
Add Wet Ingredients to Dry: Pour the hot butter and Coca-Cola mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir with a whisk or spatula just until combined; the batter will be thin.
Incorporate Buttermilk, Oil, Eggs, and Vanilla: Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter. Mix thoroughly until smooth and fully combined with no visible egg streaks.
Pour Batter into Prepared Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan, spreading it out to the edges.
Bake the Cake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 30 minutes. The cake should spring back lightly when pressed.
Prepare Frosting While Cake Bakes: In a medium saucepan, combine cubed butter, ¼ cup Coca-Cola, and ¼ cup cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat immediately.
Whisk in Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Off the heat, whisk in powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust consistency with a splash of Coca-Cola or milk if needed to keep it pourable.
Pour Frosting Over Hot Cake: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, evenly pour the warm frosting over it. The heat will melt the frosting into a fudgy glaze soaking into the cake top.
Let Frosting Set: Allow the frosting to set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until it firms slightly. You may refrigerate briefly to speed this process but room temp is preferred for best texture.
Slice and Serve: Once frosted and set, cut the cake into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

Use regular Coca-Cola, not diet, for optimal moisture and sweetness.
Measure flour by spooning and leveling for accurate amounts to avoid a dense cake.
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ½ tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with ½ cup milk and let sit 5 minutes.
Sifting powdered sugar before adding it to frosting ensures a smooth texture without lumps.
The frosting should be poured while warm for that signature fudgy glaze effect.
Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days.
Let the cake cool slightly before pouring frosting if it’s too hot to prevent frosting from becoming too runny.

Keywords: Coca-Cola cake, Southern dessert, chocolate cake, fudge frosting, classic cake, moist chocolate cake, nostalgic recipe