Sheet Pan

"Coke & Peanuts" Sheet Cake

May 31, 2018
4
14 Ratings
Photo by Ty Mecham
  • Serves 24–30
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Ingredients
  • For the cake
  • 2 cups Coca-Cola
  • 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 8 tablespoons butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pats
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • For the frosting
  • 1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup peanuts (roasted and salted), chopped, for topping
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. To make the cake, place the cola, dark brown sugar and cocoa powder into a medium sauce pot and mix to combined being careful not to fizz over the cola. Add the butter. Place over a medium heat and bring the mixture to a bubble, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
  3. While the mixture cools, in a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Pour the slightly cooled but still a bit warm chocolate-cola mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour the batter into a large ungreased sheet pan or jelly roll pan. The pan should be about 12x16 (half-sheet pan size) but any similarly sized pan should do the trick.
  4. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the middle to check for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, remove. If not, bake for 5 minutes more. Time may vary with the size of your pan. Remove from oven and let cool.
  5. To make the frosting, mix together the peanut butter and butter in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Once well combined, slowly add in the confectioner’s sugar at a low speed. Once all of the sugar has been incorporated, carefully add in the salt, cream and vanilla extract. Once the ingredients have come together, turn the mixer on high and beat for 20 seconds just to incorporate a little air and to “fluff” the frosting.
  6. Frost the cake. And garnish the top with peanuts.
  7. Slice the cake and enjoy with a chilled bottle of Coca-Cola because, why not?

See what other Food52ers are saying.

10 Reviews

Cblemker1 February 10, 2023
This cake plunged me into deep reminiscing of my high school boyfriend’s mother, who was so proud of her Coke cake. Said Pepsi didn’t taste nearly as good as Coke. What luck to find the recipe. Made cupcakes. Easier to share with neighbors. Absolutely yummy.
Olivia S. July 25, 2020
This cake was stole the show at a recent family party! No one could guess the secret ingredient and everyone was shocked when I told them it was cola! I used a 9x13 cake pan and baked it for 22 minutes, although I should have checked for doneness more around 17-18 minutes I think. Because my surface area was smaller I had leftover frosting that would work great for sandwich cookies, or just to eat with a spoon!
April T. July 19, 2018
Delicious cake! Frosting is phenomenal! And it’s super easy to make!
Julie M. June 7, 2018
I made this cake on Sunday for my brother who loves chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. To say it was a hit is an understatement. So good! This is not a light and fluffy cake, but dense and rich, yet not too sweet. Peanut Butter icing was the best I've ever had/made. This recipe is a keeper.
Anonymous June 6, 2018
I love anything chocolate and peanut butter. But I dont get the "coke"? Can anyone help me explain why a cola flavored beverage is necessary or desirable? Pinned and saved...will look forward to hearing other comments!
Donna F. June 9, 2018
I believe this recipe is inspired by a long known Southern snack of coke and peanuts. 1 icy cold glass bottle of coke , take a swallow or two and pour in a pack of salted peanuts.
natturnfl January 26, 2023
Best roadtrip snack !!!!!
Kitchen B. June 1, 2018
This recipe gives me good, delicious shivers because one of my favourite snacks is boiled or roasted peanuts with ice cold coke. I don't indulge often but this is a delightful way to combine both. Proof too that we're similar even in all the ways we differ - I'm Nigerian.

Perhaps a coke caramel would be delicious too. Thank you for sharing!
Juliebell June 28, 2019
I love the statement Proof too that we’re sImilar even in all the ways we are different...
Erica G. May 31, 2018
This frosting is the end of all other frostings. The end.