Description
A timeless Southern tradition cherished for its incredible moisture and deep, fudgy chocolate flavor. Using real Coca-Cola and miniature marshmallows, this recipe creates a unique, tender crumb finished with a warm, pour-over frosting and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients
The Chocolate Sponge
- 2 cups all-purpose flour & 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 cup Coca-Cola (regular)
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup buttermilk + 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla
The Fudgy Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 tbsp Coca-Cola
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup pecans
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk flour and sugar in a large bowl.
Boil: Bring butter, 1 cup cola, and 3 tbsp cocoa to a boil; pour over dry ingredients and stir.
Batter: Mix buttermilk and soda, then add to batter with marshmallows, eggs, and vanilla. Keep marshmallows whole!
Bake: Pour into 9×13 pan; bake for 30–35 mins.
Frost: Boil frosting butter, cola, and cocoa. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Pour over hot cake immediately.
Notes
The Marshmallow Secret: Don’t melt them into the batter; they rise to the top to create pockets of sweetness and aeration.
Warm Frosting Rule: Frosting a hot cake allows the glaze to soak in for a fudgy finish.
Regular Coke Only: The sugar in regular cola is required for structural caramelization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cake
- Method: Stovetop-to-Bowl / Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Square
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 42
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 54
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 65
Keywords: southern coca-cola cake, chocolate marshmallow cake, coca cola frosting recipe, moist chocolate cake, old fashioned southern desserts, potluck cake recipes