Introduction

The Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake is a moist, rich chocolate cake with a unique twist from the addition of Coca-Cola. Its fudgy frosting and tender crumb make it a beloved classic that’s perfect for any occasion.

Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

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

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 prepared pan aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the cubed butter with 1 cup Coca-Cola, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat but do not boil.
Step 4: Pour the hot butter and Coca-Cola mixture over the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter will be thin, which is normal.
Step 5: Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter. Stir thoroughly until smooth and no streaks remain.
Step 6: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in 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, combine cubed butter, ¼ cup Coca-Cola, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
Step 9: Whisk in powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust consistency with a small splash of Coca-Cola or milk if needed; the frosting should be pourable.
Step 10: Immediately pour the hot frosting over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let the cake absorb the frosting and allow it to set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
Step 11: Once the frosting has set, slice the cake into squares and serve. It’s delicious warm or at room temperature and pairs well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Tips & Variations

Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a darker, smoother chocolate flavor or natural cocoa for a more intense chocolate taste.
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.
For extra moisture, make sure to use vegetable oil instead of butter in the batter, as oil keeps the cake tender longer.
Allow the frosting to cool slightly before pouring if you want a thicker glaze that doesn’t soak in as much.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If refrigerated, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and 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 or caffeine-free Coca-Cola in this recipe?

Regular Coca-Cola is recommended for its sugar content, which adds moisture and sweetness. Diet or caffeine-free versions may alter the cake’s texture and sweetness.

Why is the batter so thin?

The batter is thin because of the melted butter and Coca-Cola mixture added to the dry ingredients. This is normal and results in a moist, tender cake once baked.

Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 112 reviews

This classic Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake is a moist, rich chocolate cake featuring a unique twist of Coca-Cola in both the batter and the luscious frosting. The cake boasts a tender crumb thanks to the combination of buttermilk, vegetable oil, and Coca-Cola, with a deep chocolate flavor enhanced by unsweetened cocoa powder. The signature fudgy frosting, poured hot over the freshly baked cake, melts slightly to create an irresistible glaze that soaks into the top layer, making each bite decadent and flavorful. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting homemade dessert, this recipe captures the nostalgic Southern charm of a beloved Coca-Cola cake.

Author: zara
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, cubed
1 cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil (canola, soybean, or corn oil)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Coca-Cola Cake 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

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking, or use baking spray with flour for convenience. Set aside the prepared pan.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and breaks up any clumps, preparing the dry mix for a smooth batter.
Melt Butter and Coca-Cola: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cubed unsalted butter and 1 cup Coca-Cola. Stir occasionally until the butter fully melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat promptly and do not allow it to boil to preserve the delicate balance of flavors.
Add Wet Ingredients to Dry: Pour the hot butter and Coca-Cola mixture over the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Expect the batter to be thin at this stage, which is normal for this cake.
Incorporate Buttermilk, Oil, Eggs, and Vanilla: Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, with no visible streaks of egg or dry ingredients.
Pour Batter into Prepared Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan, spreading it to the corners for uniform baking.
Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin checking at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking. The cake should spring back lightly when pressed in the center.
Prepare Frosting While Cake Bakes: In a medium saucepan, combine the cubed butter, ¼ cup Coca-Cola, and ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately remove from heat.
Whisk in Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Remove the pan from heat and gradually whisk in the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, ensuring a smooth, lump-free frosting. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. The frosting should be glossy and pourable; if too thick, add a small splash of Coca-Cola or milk to adjust consistency.
Pour Frosting Over Hot Cake: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the hot frosting evenly over the cake’s surface. The heat will help the frosting melt slightly and create a fudgy glaze that seeps into the cake’s top layer.
Let Frosting Set: Allow the frosting to set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to firm up slightly and reduce stickiness. For faster setting, refrigerate briefly, though room temperature is preferred for the best texture.
Slice and Serve: Once set, slice the Coca-Cola Cake into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. For added indulgence, pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

Be sure to use regular Coca-Cola, not diet, to achieve the desired moistness and sweetness from the sugar content.
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, substitute by adding ½ tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to ½ cup milk; let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Use unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa powder can be used for a darker, less bitter result.
The frosting is best poured hot over the warm cake to achieve the signature fudgy glaze that seeps into the top layer.
For ease, sift powdered sugar before measuring to prevent lumps in the frosting.
Allow the cake and frosting to cool and set properly for clean slicing and optimal texture.
This cake keeps moist for several days when stored covered at room temperature.

Keywords: Coca-Cola cake, Cracker Barrel cake, chocolate cake recipe, Southern dessert, moist chocolate cake, cola cake, fudgy frosting cake