If you’ve ever tried Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake, you know it is sweet chocolate heaven. This copycat recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream. The rich, fudgy chocolate cake is topped with fudge frosting and flavored with a subtle Coca-Cola taste.
I know what you’re thinking: “A cake made with Coca-Cola? Really?” The Coke adds a unique flavor, makes the cake extra moist and tender, and gives it a delightfully fluffy texture. Who knew that a simple can of Coke could create such a decadent cake?
This Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake is a fan favorite from the restaurant, and there is a good reason why. So the next time you’re craving a decadent, chocolatey dessert, try this fun recipe. Add a scoop of ice cream and cherry, and you will have the best dessert ever!
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make a copycat version of Cracker Barrel’s cake that’s just as delicious (and addictive) as the original. I’ll also share some tips and tricks I’ve learned.
Looking for more decadent desserts? Try M&M chocolate dump cake, chocolate peanut butter balls, or caramel apple upside down cake.
🥤Coca-Cola: The Key Ingredient
So why use Coca-Cola in a chocolate cake recipe? Well, this cake’s magic lies in combining chocolate with soda. The carbonation in the soda helps make the cake extra moist and tender.
Plus, it adds a subtle, unique flavor that will make your guests guess your secret ingredient! You can also change it up and use Cherry Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper.
🥘Other Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Granulated sugar
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk add 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar to 1/2 cup of regular milk instead.
- Confectioners sugar
🥣How to Make Coca-Cola Cake
- Prep: Before mixing up the ingredients, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and spray your baking dish with nonstick spray. I recommend using a 9×13-inch pan for this recipe, as it allows for even baking and easy frosting.
- Dry ingredients: Mix flour, sugar, and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Give it a good whisk to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Chocolate batter: Put the butter, cocoa powder, and soda in a saucepan. Put it over medium heat and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it starts to boil, pour it into the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and eggs and mix well.
- Bake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Frosting: Make the frosting as soon as the cake is done. Put the butter, cocoa powder, Coca-Cola, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Heat it on medium heat, stirring constantly, until it boils. Take it off the heat and stir in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth. Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake right away.
🍴Serving Ideas
One of my favorite things about this double fudge Coca-Cola Cake is how versatile it is when it comes to serving. You can serve it warm, cold, or at room temperature. Here are some serving ideas to make each slice feel like a party:
- Classic Combo: A scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cherry on top. You really can’t go wrong with this classic pairing.
- Whipped Cream Wonder: Dollop a generous amount of whipped cream on top for a light and fluffy addition.
- Fruit Fanatic: Add some fresh raspberries or strawberries for natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Caramel Drizzle: For an extra indulgence, drizzle some caramel sauce over your slice before serving.
- Nutty Delight: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
Love restaurant copycat recipes? Try my Cracker Barrel meatloaf, Cracker Barrel cinnamon roll pie or Olive Garden chicken pasta.
💭How to Store
As much as my family loves this double chocolate cake, we can’t polish it off in one sitting (although we’ve come close!). If you plan on eating the cake within a day or two, cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
For a slightly longer storage option, keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just remember to let the cake come to room temperature before serving—nobody likes a cold, hard slice of cake!
If you want to save some cake for a later date (or hide it from your family), wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. The cake will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw the slices at room temperature for a few hours.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- For perfect fudgy flavor, stir the cooked batter and frosting until they boil.
- Use a large or medium saucepan to make the frosting so you have room for the powdered sugar.
- Add walnuts or pecans to the icing for a little added crunch. Or sprinkle in some chocolate chips for exra chocolate flavor and a triple chocolate cake!
- Try other flavors of soda. Cherry Coke tastes fantastic in this recipe.
- Don’t use diet soda or zero-calorie soda in this recipe.
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1 cup salted butter
- 6 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk *see notes
Frosting ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch cake pan.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking the flour, sugar, and baking soda together.2 cups flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Put the butter, cocoa powder, and soda in a small saucepan. Whisk it together, place it on medium heat, and bring it to a boil. Make sure to keep whisking.1 cup salted butter, 6 tablespoons baking cocoa, 1 cup Coca-Cola
- Once it starts boiling, take mixture off heat and pour it into bowl with the flour mixture.
- Stir everything together until it’s thoroughly combined.
- Add the vanilla, buttermilk, and eggs to the mixture, stirring until it’s well mixed.2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- When you remove the cake from the oven, start on your frosting. Put the butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and Coca-Cola in a medium saucepan. Mix and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly.1/2 cup salted butter, 3 tablespoons baking cocoa, 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once it starts boiling, take the saucepan off the heat. Add the powdered sugar and mix until your frosting is smooth and creamy.4 cups powdered sugar
- Pour the fudgy frosting over the hot cake right away.
- Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes so the frosting hardens.
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes before using.
- Store leftovers covered for 2 days on the counter or 4 days in the fridge.
- Add chopped nuts to the frosting for a little bit of extra crunch.
- This cake is fantastic warm, room temperature, or even cold.
- For this, you can use other soda flavors like Dr. Pepper or Cherry Coca-cola.
- Do not use diet soda in this recipe.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
This was amazing and easy to make. But most of all I really really appreciate how you list the ingredients in the directions as well so you’re not having to go back to the top of the ingredients list. Saves time and frustration and for me it helps me ensure I use the right amount of ingredients. Thank you.
Ja, you read my mind. My thoughts exactly! Such a thoughful edition to the recipe format. Thank you Upstate Ramblings! I’m planning to try this recipe today. Sounds decadently delicious!