Oh my goodness, let me tell you about this Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience! I remember the first time I made it for a family get-together, and the entire batch disappeared in minutes. Seriously, people were scraping the pan! What makes it so special? It’s this incredible combination of deep, rich chocolate flavor from the Coca-Cola and cocoa, all balanced by the most wonderfully moist crumb. And that pecan frosting? Pure magic. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorite chocolate cake recipes, and I can’t wait for you to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
- It’s ridiculously easy to whip up, even on a weeknight!
- The Coca-Cola makes it unbelievably moist and tender.
- You get that deep, satisfying chocolate flavor in every bite.
- The sweet, nutty pecan frosting is just the cherry on top (or, well, the pecans on top!).
- It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that disappears fast!
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
Alright, let’s get down to business and make sure you have everything you need for this amazing cake! Having good ingredients really makes a difference, so try to grab the best you can. For the cake, you’ll want your flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt all measured out. Make sure your butter is softened – this is key for creaming it properly later on. You’ll also need unsweetened cocoa powder, a cup of Coca-Cola (room temperature is best, trust me!), buttermilk, a couple of large eggs, and a splash of vanilla extract. For that dreamy pecan frosting, you’ll need more butter, more Coca-Cola, cocoa powder, vanilla, a whole pound of powdered sugar, and of course, plenty of chopped pecans!
Cake Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for the cake itself: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup Coca-Cola, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Frosting Ingredients
For the glorious pecan frosting: Grab another 1/2 cup (one stick) of unsalted butter, 1/4 cup Coca-Cola, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a whole pound of powdered sugar (about 4 cups), and 1 cup of chopped pecans. Toasting them lightly first gives extra flavor, but it’s not a must!
Deliciously Simple Steps to Make Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
Okay, get ready, because making this cake is actually super straightforward! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get such a fantastic result. Just follow along, and you’ll have a showstopper in no time.
Preparing the Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake Batter
First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and give your 9×13 inch baking pan a good grease and flour. In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until they’re all buddies. Now, grab a medium saucepan and melt your butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and let it cook for just a minute while you stir. Pour in that cup of Coca-Cola and bring it to a boil, then take it right off the heat. Pour this hot liquid over your dry ingredients and mix until it’s *just* combined. Don’t go crazy overmixing here – we want a tender cake! In a separate little bowl, give the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla a quick whisk, then stir that into your batter until it’s smooth.
Baking Your Moist Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
Now, pour that lovely batter into your prepared pan. It’ll look pretty thin, but that’s totally fine! Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a wooden skewer or toothpick you stick in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool right there in the pan. It needs to cool down completely before we even think about frosting it, so be patient!
Crafting the Sweet Pecan Frosting
While the cake is cooling, let’s make that irresistible frosting! In another medium saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and cook for about a minute, just like you did for the cake batter. Now, add the 1/4 cup of Coca-Cola and bring it to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. This is where the magic happens: gradually beat in the powdered sugar until everything is smooth and creamy. If it seems too thick, add a tiny splash more Coke; if it’s too thin, a little more powdered sugar. Finally, stir in those chopped pecans until they’re nicely distributed.
Frosting the Cooled Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake
Once your cake is completely cool – and I mean *all* the way cool, hot cake melts frosting! – spread that glorious pecan frosting evenly all over the top. Use an offset spatula or even the back of a spoon to get it nice and smooth. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
- Make sure your Coca-Cola is at room temperature before you start. It just incorporates better that way!
- Don’t overmix the cake batter once you add the wet ingredients. A few streaks are okay; overmixing makes the cake tough.
- Seriously, let the cake cool COMPLETELY before you frost it. I know it’s tempting, but hot cake = melted frosting disaster.
- If you want an extra flavor boost, lightly toast your chopped pecans before adding them to the frosting. So good!
- Using good quality unsweetened cocoa powder really makes a difference in the chocolatey depth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
Q: Can I make this chocolate cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is actually even better the next day. Once it’s completely cooled and frosted, you can store it loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. The flavors really meld together beautifully.
Q: What kind of cocoa powder is best for this Coca-Cola cake?
For the richest chocolate flavor, I always recommend using a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder. Natural unsweetened cocoa powder works wonderfully here, giving it that deep, classic chocolate taste. Dutch-processed will also work, but may result in a slightly darker color and smoother flavor.
Q: How do I store leftover chocolate cake with pecan frosting?
Once cooled and frosted, store the cake covered at room temperature. Because of the butter and sugar in the frosting, it holds up pretty well on the counter for a few days. If your kitchen is super warm, or you want to keep it longer, you can pop it in the fridge, but let it come back to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Q: Can I use diet cola instead of Coca-Cola?
You can, but it might change the texture and sweetness slightly. Regular Coca-Cola adds a specific sweetness and moisture that’s key to this cake’s signature flavor and moist crumb. Diet versions might not provide the same richness.
Serving and Storing Your Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
This cake is just divine served at room temperature. Let it sit out for about 30 minutes before slicing if it’s been in the fridge. To store any leftovers, just cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or foil. It’ll stay wonderfully moist at room temperature for up to 3 days. Honestly, it never lasts that long in my house!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecan Frosting
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info below is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how big your slices are! But generally, one serving of this amazing cake has around 450 calories, about 20g of fat (10g saturated), 4g of protein, 65g of carbohydrates, and 55g of sugar. Enjoy every bite!
Perfect Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Pecans
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and moist chocolate cake infused with Coca-Cola, topped with a sweet and nutty pecan frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the Coca-Cola and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add this to the cake batter and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan.
- While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the Coca-Cola and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
Notes
- Ensure your Coca-Cola is at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the cake batter.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, coca-cola cake, pecan frosting, dessert, easy cake recipe, moist cake