This Fourth of July, bake a Coca-Cola Cake. Since you’ll already have plenty of Coca-Cola products on hand for the traditional Independence Day cookout, set two cans of Coke aside to make this delicious dessert. Be sure to serve it before the fireworks, though. It’s so good that people might be distracted from the display.

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 12 oz Coca-Cola (1 can)
• ½ cup butter, unsalted
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Frosting

• 12 oz Coca-Cola (1 can)
• ½ cup butter, unsalted
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder

Directions

For the Coca-Cola Cake

Heat oven to 350º. Lightly grease a 9″ x13” baking dish, either with butter or cooking spray.

Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Set aside.

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large heat resistant bowl. Set aside.

Melt butter over low heat in a medium sauce pan. Once melted, add Coca-Cola and cocoa powder. Whisk to combine. Increase temperature to medium-high. Bring to a light boil, whisking frequently.

Add hot Coca-Cola mixture to dry ingredients. Whisk to just combine. Let cool slightly.

Add the buttermilk mixture and mix well.

Pour the batter into the greased baking dish. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the Coca-Cola Frosting

Begin making the frosting in the last 15 minutes of the bake time.

Bring the Coca-Cola to a boil over medium-high heat in a small sauce pan. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, until reduced to about ½ cup, about 12 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and the cocoa powder. Whisk constantly until the butter is completely melted.

In a large heat resistant bowl, combine the confectioners sugar and the Coke mixture. Whisk vigorously until smooth.

To Frost the Coca-Cola Cake

When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour the warm frosting evenly over the top.

Allow the Coca-Cola Cake to set fully before cutting to serve.