Vegan Coca-Cola Cake

This vegan Coca-Cola cake is a delightful twist on a retro dessert, which dates back to the 1950s. Like me, this recipe was born in the South. The combination of rich cocoa with the subtle sweetness of Coca-Cola creates a moist, tender crumb and a pleasantly bittersweet flavor.

Using hot Coca-Cola mimics the boiling-water method often used to make chocolate cakes and enhances the cocoa’s flavor. I like using Mexican Coca-Cola due to its richer taste. For an extra cola kick, consider adding a pinch of ground cardamom.

There is also cola hidden in the frosting. Combined with bittersweet chocolate, it creates a cola-ganache buttercream icing. Made with vegan butter (I like to use Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks) and powdered sugar, this icing creates perfectly whimsical swirls atop the cake. The resulting recipe honors tradition with a modern, plant-based twist—perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.