Decadent Ina Garten Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Unique Ina Garten Coca Cola Cake Recipe with Flavor

Coca-Cola cake delivers a tantalizing Southern sensation that dances between nostalgic comfort and culinary innovation.

This extraordinary dessert weaves carbonated magic into every delectable slice.

Bubbling soda transforms ordinary chocolate cake into an extraordinary experience that sparkles with unexpected depth.

Rich, moist layers melt on your tongue with complex flavor nuances that surprise and enchant.

Deep cocoa notes blend seamlessly with subtle cola undertones, creating a symphony of taste that defies traditional dessert boundaries.

Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques make this cake accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Unleash a showstopping treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ways to Serve Coca Cola Cake at Gatherings

  • Pair with Cool Companions: Serve this rich, warm cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.
  • Drizzle with Caramel Magic: Enhance the cake's decadence by adding a light drizzle of warm caramel sauce over each slice, creating an extra layer of sweet indulgence.
  • Create a Coffee Moment: Complement the cake's deep chocolate notes with a steaming cup of strong coffee or espresso, allowing the flavors to dance and elevate each other's richness.
  • Share with Loved Ones: Cut into generous squares and gather friends or family around the table, transforming this dessert into a memorable shared experience that brings warmth and joy.

Storage and Freezing Tips for Cola Cake

  • Preserve Freshness: Store the Coca-Cola cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its moist texture and rich flavor intact.
  • Refrigerate and Extend: If you want to keep the cake longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum deliciousness.
  • Freeze for Future Treats: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each carefully in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months for a spontaneous dessert emergency.
  • Revive and Enjoy: Thaw frozen cake slices at room temperature for about 1 hour, or warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-baked magic and gooey marshmallow goodness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 486 kcal

Servings: 11

Ina Garten’s Coca Cola Cake Ingredients

For Dry Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for richer cake texture and deeper flavor profile.
  • Granulated Sugar: Choose pure cane sugar for consistent sweetness and smooth blending.
For Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter: Select high-quality unsalted butter for controlled saltiness and creamy consistency.
  • Cocoa Powder: Pick Dutch-processed cocoa for intense, deep chocolate undertones.
  • Coca Cola: Use fresh, room temperature soda for optimal chemical interaction.
  • Buttermilk: opt for full-fat buttermilk to ensure tender, moist cake structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Select pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust aromatic notes.
For Binding and Texture Ingredients:
  • Baking Soda: Ensure fresh baking soda for proper cake rising and soft crumb.
  • Eggs: Choose large, room temperature eggs for seamless batter integration.
  • Marshmallows: Pick fresh, soft marshmallows that will melt beautifully into cake layers.

Baking Tools for Rich Coca Cola Cake

  • Oven: Preheated to 350°F for perfect baking temperature.
  • 9-by-13-inch Baking Pan: Buttered and floured to prevent cake from sticking.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: For combining dry ingredients and creating the cake base.
  • Sifter: To ensure smooth, lump-free flour and sugar mixture.
  • Saucepan: Used twice – first for boiling butter, cocoa, and Coca Cola, then for preparing icing.
  • Whisk or Wooden Spoon: For stirring and blending ingredients thoroughly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: To accurately measure each ingredient.
  • Toothpick: For checking cake doneness by inserting and seeing if it comes out clean.
  • Cooling Rack: Optional, but helpful for letting the cake cool slightly after baking.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Moist Cola Cake

How to Make Ina Garten’s Moist Cola Cake
  • Preheat Cooking Station

Fire up the oven to 350°F and prep a baking pan with a quick butter and flour massage to prevent sticky situations.

  • Blend Dry Foundation

Whisk flour and sugar together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a soft powdery landscape ready for transformation.

  • Craft Liquid Flavor Fusion

Toss butter, cocoa, and Cola into a saucepan. Let the ingredients dance and bubble until they form a rich, smooth liquid that promises deliciousness.

  • Create Magical Batter

Splash in buttermilk, crack eggs, sprinkle baking soda, and drizzle vanilla. Fold marshmallows into the mix, stirring until everything blends into a silky, tempting concoction.

  • Bake and Bubble

Pour the batter into the waiting pan. Slide it into the oven’s warm embrace for 30-35 minutes. Listen for the whisper of doneness – a clean toothpick signals perfection.

  • Drench with Decadent Glaze

Whip up a quick icing and bring it to a rolling boil. Once the cake emerges golden and proud, puncture its surface with playful holes. Pour the hot glaze over every inch, watching it sink into delectable crevices.

  • Serve with Celebration

Slice into generous squares and devour while the cake still radiates warmth and pure joy.

Frosting Tips and Cake Flavor Boosts

  • Boost Your Baking: Smart Cola Cake Tricks
  • Customize Marshmallow Magic: Swap regular marshmallows with flavored ones like strawberry or chocolate for unexpected taste twists. Experiment with different sizes and brands to discover your perfect gooey texture.
  • Perfect Moisture Hack: Let the cake cool slightly before adding icing to help it absorb more liquid. This technique ensures maximum flavor penetration and keeps each slice incredibly moist and rich.
  • Temperature Control Wonder: Allow ingredients like buttermilk and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing. Warmer ingredients blend more smoothly, creating a more uniform and tender cake texture.
  • Pan Performance Pro: Use a light-colored metal baking pan for even heat distribution. Dark pans can cause faster browning and potentially dry out your delectable cola cake edges.
Print
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Decadent Ina Garten Coca Cola Cake Recipe

Decadent Ina Garten Coca Cola Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s coca cola cake blends southern charm with rich chocolate indulgence. Carbonated soda adds moisture and depth to this classic dessert, creating a nostalgic treat that delights with each sweet, tangy bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227 g) butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cola soft drink (e.g., Coca-Cola)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
  • 2 tbsps cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (113 g) butter
  • 3 tbsps cocoa powder
  • 6 tbsps cola soft drink (e.g., Coca-Cola)
  • 16 oz (454 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Fire up the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter and flour to ensure effortless cake release.
  2. Combine Dry Components: Sift granulated sugar and all-purpose flour together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cake.
  3. Create Liquid Base: In a saucepan, meld unsalted butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and cola. Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then cascade the steaming liquid over the sifted dry ingredients, forming a rich, chocolatey blend.
  4. Integrate Wet Ingredients: Fold in buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, vanilla extract, and miniature marshmallows. Blend gently until a cohesive, slightly lumpy batter emerges with marshmallows distributed throughout.
  5. Bake and Transform: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick emerges cleanly from the center, signaling perfect doneness.
  6. Craft Decadent Topping: Simultaneously develop the glossy icing by combining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a vigorous boil, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
  7. Finish and Frost: Immediately after removing the cake, perforate the surface with a fork. Drench the warm cake with the piping hot icing, allowing it to penetrate the small holes, creating a moisture-rich masterpiece.
  8. Serve and Savor: Let the cake cool slightly, then slice into generous squares. Indulge while warm, experiencing the full intensity of flavors and supreme moistness.

Notes

  • Marshmallow Magic: Floating marshmallows create unexpected pockets of gooey sweetness throughout the cake, adding texture and surprise.
  • Boiling Point Precision: Carefully boil liquid ingredients to develop deep, rich flavors without burning, which intensifies the cake’s chocolate and cola essence.
  • Fork Technique: Puncturing the cake’s surface with a fork allows the hot icing to penetrate deeply, ensuring maximum moisture and flavor absorption.
  • Temperature Timing: Serve warm for the most intense taste experience and supremely moist texture, capturing the cake’s optimal sensory qualities.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 486
  • Sugar: 64 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 74 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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