Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe

Sparkling cola and rich cocoa powder elevate this cola cake to a Southern treasure you’ll always want at the center of your picnic table. It’s delicious with vanilla bean ice cream, a cold glass of milk, fresh strawberries, hot coffee; in fact most things.

Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cola (standard Coca-Cola is preferred)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cola Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup cola
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

How To Make Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe

1. Whisk the dry base: Preheat your oven to 175ºC/350ºF and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until the dry ingredients are perfectly combined and free of any large lumps.
2. Boil the flavor: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cola, butter, vegetable oil, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the butter is completely melted and the cocoa is smooth.
3. Incorporate the wet into dry: Carefully pour the hot cola mixture into the flour and sugar base. Whisk gently until the batter is smooth and the dry ingredients are fully hydrated, being careful not to over-mix at this stage.
4. Add the eggs and buttermilk: In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the buttermilk and vanilla extract. Fold this mixture into the main batter until you have a thin, fragrant, and dark chocolatey mixture, then pour it evenly into your prepared pan.
5. Bake to moist: Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
6. Make the warm frosting: While the cake is in its final minutes of baking, prepare the frosting. Melt the butter in a saucepan with the cocoa and cola, bringing it to a boil. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until glossy and smooth, then stir in the chopped pecans.
7. Pour and set: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm frosting directly over the hot cake. This allows the frosting to soak slightly into the top layer of the cake, creating an incredibly moist and fudgy finish as it cools.

Recipe Tips

• Why frost a hot cake: Pouring warm frosting over a hot cake is a classic Southern technique that creates a “fudge” layer between the cake and the icing, ensuring the dessert stays moist for days.
• How to get the best carbonation effect: Use a fresh can of cola rather than a flat bottle; the carbonation reacts with the baking soda and buttermilk to provide a specific lift and a tender, airy crumb.
• Best way to handle buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup of whole milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Choosing the right cocoa: Use a high-quality natural unsweetened cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa can be used, but natural cocoa reacts better with the baking soda in this specific recipe.

What To Serve With Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe?

This Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe is a rich, decadent treat that needs a cool or bitter finish! A scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is the classic choice to balance the warm, fudgy frosting. For a lighter touch, a side of Fresh Sliced Strawberries adds a lovely tartness that cuts through the cocoa! A cold Glass of Whole Milk or a hot Black Coffee pairs wonderfully with the sweet, caramel-like notes of the cola.

How To Store Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe

• Room Temperature: Store the cake right in the pan, covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap, for up to 3 days on the counter.
• Refrigerate: You can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days; the cold temperature makes the frosting set into a delicious, candy-like fudge.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and foil; they will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour before enjoying.

Joanna Gaines Cola Cake Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450 kcal (per slice)
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Protein: 4 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

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