This recipe for Chocolate Cola Cake is moist and so easy to make. Full of chocolaty flavor and covered in a sweet cola frosting, everyone will love.

You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!

Years ago, my hubby, who was my boyfriend at the time, took me on a trip to Charleston, SC. I won’t bore you with the details of the entire trip, but we visited a restaurant called Jestine’s. We had to wait in a line that wrapped around the building, so once we got inside, I ordered a whole bunch of things from the menu. For dessert, I had Coca-Cola Cake. It was so darn delicious.
Now this isn’t Jestine’s recipe because I’m sure hers is made from scratch. For my recipe, I use a boxed chocolate cake mix (why not), add a can of cola (you can use Coca-Cola or any budget brand), and 2 eggs. Yes, you read that right: the base of this cake has only 3 ingredients, and it comes out so moist and chocolatey.
If you're a fan of cake box desserts, you should check out my Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake, too.
Happy Baking,
Tanya
5 Star Review
Dee says, "Followed your recipe to a T. It was perfect!!! Thanks for sharing this!"

Chocolate Cola Cake at a Glance
- Best for: potlucks, birthdays, or when you want dessert without turning on the mixer
- Yield: one 13x9 cake, about 15 servings
- Prep: 10 min
- Bake: 35 min
- Total: 50 min (includes 5 minutes resting)
- Texture: dense, moist cake under a thin, glossy chocolate glaze
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Boxed chocolate cake mix: I use the 15.25 oz size.
- Cola soda: either Coca-Cola or a budget brand works. The can foams up when it hits the batter, give it a second to settle before you stir.
- Large eggs: Just 2, mixed right in with the cake mix and cola.
- Unsalted butter: melted down as the base of the frosting.
- Cocoa powder: brings the chocolate flavor to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: whisked in off the heat to thicken the frosting into a pourable glaze.
How to Make Chocolate Cola Cake
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13x9 pan. Set aside. In a large bowl, add the boxed cake mix, 2 large eggs, and a whole can of cola. The mixture will foam up like crazy when you pour the cola in; let it settle a bit, then start stirring until it is thoroughly combined.


Step 2: Pour mixture into your prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 3: While your cake is baking, prepare the frosting by melting ½ cup of butter in a saucepan. Add cola and cocoa powder, and bring the mixture to a slight boil. It won’t be a rapid boil, just slight bubbles popping in the mixture. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar until fully combined. You will notice the mixture thicken as you stir in the powdered sugar.

Step 4: Pour the frosting over the cake once it’s done baking. Allow the frosting to cool on the cake for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

And there you have it: rich, chocolaty cola cake.

Tanya's Notes on this Recipe
- Sooo….I tested this recipe in an air fryer because why not! Prepare the cake batter as instructed and pour it into an 8-inch air fryer cake pan. All the batter will fit. I used the same pan I used in my Air Fryer Brownie recipe. Cook at 320°F (160°C) for 30-35 minutes. Cut the frosting in half for the smaller air fryer cake.
- If you’d like a bit of crunch, add some chopped pecans to the frosting after you add the powdered sugar.
- This cake is best served warm, but we eat it cold and still love it.
Storage
- To store: Cover the pan or move slices to an airtight container. Keeps at room temperature for a few days, or longer in the fridge.
- To reheat: A few seconds in the microwave brings back that just-frosted warmth.
Looking for other yummy cake recipes? Try these out:
- Grapefruit Cake with Glaze
- The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Southern Peach Cobbler Cake
- Orange Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Caribbean Rum Cake
Easy Chocolate Cola Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box chocolate cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 12 oz can Cola soda
Chocolate Cola Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 Tablespoons Cola soda
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13x9 pan. Set aside. In a large bowl, add boxed cake mix, 2 large eggs, and a whole can of cola. Stir mixture until combined.
- Pour mixture into your prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside.
Chocolate Cola Frosting
- Meanwhile, prepare your frosting by placing butter, cocoa powder, and cola in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until it begins to boil slightly (you'll notice bubbles popping). Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until thoroughly combined. Pour mixture over cake.
- Allow frosting to cool on cake for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Sooo….I tested this recipe in an air fryer because why not! Prepare the cake batter as instructed and pour it into an 8-inch air fryer cake pan. All the batter will fit. I used the same pan I used in my Air Fryer Brownie recipe. Cook on 320°F (160°C) for 30-35 minutes. Cut the frosting in half for the smaller air fryer cake.
- If you’d like a bit of crunch, add some chopped pecans to the frosting after you add the powdered sugar.
- This cake is best served warm, but we eat it cold and still love it.









































