The History of Coca-Cola Cake

Coca-Cola was first invented in the late 1800s and quickly became popular, especially in the Southern states, and convenient cans of the soda were first introduced in 1955. While we may not know the exact origins of Coca-Cola Cake, we do know that it likely originated in the South in the early-to-mid-20th century. In 1952, a recipe for Coca-Cola Cake was printed in the Charleston Gazette. In 1959, a recipe for Coca-Cola Chocolate Spice Cake was printed in a Galveston, Texas newspaper. And in 1967, Coca-Cola Cake recipes were printed in several newspapers in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. It’s worth noting that Coca-Cola Cake may have been around even longer than these printed recipes indicate, as recipes were often passed along by word of mouth within communities. Still, as the popularity of the dessert grew, more recipes began to appear in print; for example, Coca-Cola Cakes were often included in Junior League cookbooks and similar publications. By the 1960s and 1970s, Coca-Cola Cake had become very popular in the South and was regularly enjoyed at many community events and family gatherings. However, it didn’t become well-known outside the region until 1997, when Cracker Barrel added Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to its menu. Although the dessert was originally only offered for a limited amount of time, it was so popular that customers from all over the country began contacting the restaurant and requesting more. It took several years, but the chain eventually made the dessert a permanent fixture on the menu. Today, Coca-Cola Cake remains a beloved Southern staple and now has many nationwide fans, too.