When someone mentions Coca-Cola your first thought is probably the tingly bubbles and that distinctive flavor. But, this favorite drink can also be used to bake and cook with. In this Coca-Cola layer cake there’s Coke in both the cake and the frosting for a rich dessert that’s so special.

In the cake there’s a bit of cocoa powder in addition to the soda. However the combination of the two results in a reddish brown color once the cakes have been baked. They look almost like red velvet cake.

This red velvet style cake goes perfectly with the cream cheese and Coca-Cola frosting. This creamy topping uses 4 cups of Coke that you then boil down until its less than a cup of liquid.

You might think that this would burn easily, but the soda actually reduces very nicely. The finished textured of the concentrated soda is not unlike molasses in appearance and color. But, it has that bright, complex Coca-Cola flavor- just in a stronger concentration. And, it didn’t stick to my stainless steel saucepan at all.

You do want to chill the cakes before frosting as they are very moist and tender. This is often the case with cakes that use soft drinks since the bubbles can make them rise well in the oven.

Always do a crumb coat before adding the majority of the frosting. This way the crumbs are sealed in that first layer of frosting and don’t ruin the visual effect of the frosting.

I also recommend chilling the finished cake after you frost it. Despite the fact that the frosting has a lot of cream cheese in it, the Coca-Cola reduction in the mix means it’s a bit looser than some other frostings.

This tall cake is perfect to bring to a party or for birthdays and has that unique flavor of Coke all the way through in every bite. If you’re a fan of Coca-Cola or of red velvet cake then this is a must-try recipe.