Coke Cake

1 Bundt cake servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h 5 m Beginner
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Coke Cake
Coke lends a lot of flavor to this chocolate cake with marshmallows baked right in. Moist, rich, and perfect for potlucks—pair it with our Coke Cake Frosting for the full experience.

Ingredients

1 Bundt cake servings
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cup marshmallows, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 cup Coca-Cola
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 eggs, beaten

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a Bundt cake pan and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together sugar and flour. Stir in chopped marshmallows and set aside.
  3. Combine shortening, margarine, cocoa and Coca-Cola in a small pot, bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour over dry mixture.
  4. Stir in buttermilk, baking soda, and beaten eggs. Take care to stir gently; do not beat mixture.
  5. Pour into the greased Bundt cake pan and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Frost with Coke Cake Frosting once completely cooled.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why did my marshmallows sink to the bottom?

A: Make sure to chop the marshmallows into smaller pieces and toss them with the flour mixture—the flour coating helps suspend them in the batter. Also, don't overmix once you add the wet ingredients.

Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

A: Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise and adds tanginess. If you don't have buttermilk, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t skip the step of bringing the Coke mixture to a boil—this helps bloom the cocoa and creates a richer chocolate flavor. The cake is even better the next day after the flavors have melded.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Coca-Cola: Dr. Pepper or Pepsi
  • buttermilk: 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
  • shortening: additional margarine or butter

Equipment Needed

  • Bundt cake pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small pot for boiling Coke mixture
  • Sifter or fine-mesh strainer

Historical Context

Coca-Cola cakes became a Southern baking tradition in the 1950s and 60s, with countless variations passed down through church cookbooks and family recipe boxes. The original versions used Coke as both a flavoring and a leavening aid.