Coca Cola Cake

Has anyone ever heard of Coca Cola Cake?

Ya - me neither.

From the limited information that's out there, it sounds like it's an American thing - very popular in the deep South.  And it's been around forever.  In fact, it seems that the earliest published recipe was found in The Charleston Gazette in August 1952, submitted by Mrs. E.D. Greer.

Then, in 1997, the Cracker Barrel chain of restaurants introduced a modified version of the cake to their menu (albeit at first intermittently, but permanently in 2009).  When people think of Cracker Barrel, they immediately associate Coca Cola Cake with the restaurant.

Or so my research says.

I have no idea if that's true.  Because I've never eaten at a Cracker Barrel restaurant.  Mom!?  Maybe this year?????

Now.  With an old, popular recipe like this, there is bound to be a number of variations out there.  And, in fact, there are.  Some versions have pecans added.  Some versions have marshmallows.  Some versions have both.

The one we're trying today is the Cracker Barrel version.  No nuts, no marshmallows.  Pretty plain Jane.  Although, those are not the words I would use to describe this cake.

 

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter.

 

Then add the Coke.

 

Next in the pool, the oil.

 

And the cocoa powder.

 

While the Coke mixture is coming together, get the dry ingredients ready.

 

Add the sugar to a large bowl.

 

Then add the flour.

 

Annnnnnd the salt.

 

Stir it all together, then add the Coke mixture.

 

Stir in the eggs, add the baking soda.

 

And lastly, the vanilla and the buttermilk.

 

Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan and bake.

 

While the cake is in the oven, make the frosting.  Combine the butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the butter is melted.  Add in the vanilla and icing sugar and stir until combined.

 

After the cake has been pulled out of the oven - let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Then pour the icing on  top of the cake and allow to cool completely.

 

Oh man, I loved this cake.  Easy, uncomplicated, moist, a tender crumb, delicious icing. Chocolatey, but not too over the top.  Not too sweet.

It's fricking awesome.

Cracker Barrel serves theirs with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream - which would be delightful.  If you're into that kind of thing.  I actually don't like cake and ice cream.  Mostly because I talk too much and the ice cream melts and then the cake is soggy.  Which makes me sad face.

Either way, with ice cream or without, this cake is a must-do if you want a super-delicious dessert but don't have a ton of time to invest.

Enjoy!

xoxo - Heather
Coca Cola Cake

1 cup Coca Cola
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
6 Tablespoons cream (or milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups icing sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the Coca Cola, oil, butter, and cocoa powder.  Bring to a boil.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, sand salt.
4. Pour the boiling Coca Cola mixture over the flour mixture and beat until well combined.
5. Add the eggs, buttermilk, soda, and vanilla.  Beat until well combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.  Let cool for 10 minutes, then frost.
7. In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk.  Heat until the butter melts.
8. Beat in the vanilla and icing sugar.
9. Pour and spread the frosting on the cake while it's still warm/hot. 
10. Cool completely before serving.

Source:  Sweet Flutterbys3