Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake
A rich, moist chocolate sheet cake made with Coca-Cola and topped with a warm chocolate-pecan frosting. The soda adds moisture and enhances the chocolate flavor, while the buttery frosting melts into the warm cake.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups mini marshmallows
For the Chocolate Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
- 1 box (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set it aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Make the Coca-Cola Mixture
In a saucepan, combine the Coca-Cola, butter, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Remove from the heat.
4. Combine the Batter
Slowly pour the hot Coca-Cola mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.
Add the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix until the batter is smooth.
Gently fold in the mini marshmallows.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for approximately 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Make the Frosting
While the cake is baking, place the butter, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola in a saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove it from the heat.
Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and chopped pecans.
7. Frost the Warm Cake
As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm frosting over the top.
Spread it gently across the entire cake while the frosting is still warm and easy to spread.
8. Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool for at least 30–45 minutes before slicing. The frosting will set as it cools.
Cut into squares and serve.
Helpful Tips
- Use regular Coca-Cola, not diet soda, for the intended texture.
- Pour the frosting over the cake while both are warm so it spreads easily.
- Don’t overbake—the cake should remain moist.
- Toasting the pecans beforehand gives the frosting an even deeper nutty flavor.
- The cake is delicious slightly warm but becomes even easier to slice once completely cooled.
