Cola Sheet Cake with Hot Fudge Icing
Submitted by Elliea
Cola sheet cake with cola and marshmallows in the batter for a moist chocolate crumb, topped with hot fudge cola icing and chopped nuts. The classic Southern church-supper sheet cake.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
40 minREADY
60 minCola sheet cake is one of those Southern oddities, a recipe that sounds suspect but produces one of the moistest chocolate cakes you’ll ever bake. A full cup of cola goes into the boiled batter alongside cocoa and marshmallows, and the soda’s natural acidity tenderizes the crumb while the marshmallow melts in to add fudge-like richness.
The icing is poured on while both cake and frosting are still hot, which is the move that gives this dessert its signature shiny, slightly crackly fudge top. Wait until either has cooled and the icing won’t sink in or set the same way.
The cola flavor itself doesn’t survive the bake, what you taste is a deeply chocolate cake with a faint caramel undertone from the soda’s vanilla and citrus notes. Diet versions don’t work, the sugar is doing structural work.
Pro Tips
- Use real-deal regular cola, not diet, the sugar matters for the cake’s structure and moisture.
- Stir the marshmallows in off the heat after the boiled mixture cools just slightly, hard boiling can scorch them.
- Pour the icing while it’s still pourable but not bubbling, too hot and it soaks into the cake without setting on top.
- Use pecans for the most authentic Southern version, walnuts work but pecans are the classic choice.
Variations
Ingredients
Directions
Mix and bring to boil the cola, wesson oil, ¼ cup of the butter, and ¼ cup cocoa.
Remove from heat and add the marshmallows, stir to melt.
Mix together flour, baking soda, eggs, sugar, ½ cup butter and the vanilla.
Add the cola mixture to the flour mixture and mix well.
Pour in 13 x 9 inch pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes in a 350℉ (180℃) F oven.
Meanwhile prepare icing: Heat cola and cocoa to a boil.
Pour over sugar and mix well.
Add nuts and pour over while cake and icing are still hot.
Comments




This piece of cola cake looks so decadent and delicious, I can not say no to it. I need at least two or three pieces... YUM!