Cherry Cola Cake is a nostalgic and playful dessert that combines the rich, fizzy flavors of cherry cola with a soft, moist cake base. This cake is a delightful twist on the traditional cola cake, taking the familiar taste of cherry soda and turning it into a treat that’s both fun and decadent. The result is a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a birthday celebration, or just a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
The magic of Cherry Cola Cake comes from its unique flavor profile. The cherry cola adds a touch of sweetness and a slight fizz that enhances the richness of the cake without being overwhelming. Combined with cocoa powder and a simple cake batter, it creates a moist, tender crumb that is hard to resist. The cake itself is light yet flavorful, making it a perfect base for the sweet, creamy frosting.
The frosting, often made with a mix of powdered sugar, butter, and more cherry cola, is the perfect finishing touch. It’s smooth, sweet, and slightly tangy, with just enough cola flavor to tie everything together. Some variations of the cake also incorporate chopped cherries or even a few chocolate chips, adding a burst of extra flavor and texture.
What makes Cherry Cola Cake so great is its versatility. It’s simple to prepare and doesn’t require any special skills or ingredients. Plus, it can be easily customized to suit your tastes. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can adjust the amount of cola or frosting. You can also swap out the cherry cola for a different soda flavor, like root beer or orange soda, for a fun variation.
Whether you’re looking for something different to serve at your next gathering or simply craving a sweet, comforting dessert, Cherry Cola Cake is sure to satisfy. Its playful flavor and soft texture make it a crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and fun.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cola Use your favorite brand of cola.
- 1/2 cup butter Unsalted and melted.
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix
- 1 can cherry pie filling Regular sized can (about 20-21 ounces).
- 3 eggs large, lightly beaten.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cola, melted butter, and cake mix. Stir until well blended.
- Fold in the cherry pie filling and beaten eggs until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Easy to make, but it burnt on the edges. Maybe my oven is too hot? 🤷♂️
It might just be your oven! Every oven is different. Try lowering the temp a bit next time. 😊
Yum! Super moist! Would definitely make again. Tried with Dr. Pepper instead of cola!
I dunno, I don’t think it looks good. Cake made with cola sounds weird.
Dr. Pepper instead of cola? That’s interesting! How did it taste?
Not for me! I thought it would be sweet but ended up weird. Might be better for people who like cola flavors, not me!
I totally get it! Cola flavors are an acquired taste. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I thought it was awesome! 🍰
Quick and easy! I’m not much of a baker but this was simple. Thanks for sharing!
Easy to make and delicious! Can’t believe the cola actually makes a difference, who knew?
I know right! The cola gives it such a unique flavor! 😍
Do I have to use cherry pie filling? Can I just add fresh cherries? I’m not sure if I wanna try this with canned stuff.
Yum!
I followed the recipe but my cake didn’t rise much… what’s the secret? Anyone else have this problem?
Cherry pie filling is too sweet for me. I think I’ll pass on this one. 😒
Lol, not everyone loves sweet stuff. I actually think the cola balances it out! But each to their own, right?
I get that! Cherry pie filling can be super sweet. Maybe you could try using less or finding a brand that isn’t as sugary?
This is one of the strangest cakes I’ve ever made, but it tastes good! I’d give it a 4 just because of how odd it is.
This cake was okay, but it didn’t taste like cola at all. I followed the recipe exactly, but it turned out kinda dry. Maybe I did something wrong?
Not gonna lie, I don’t get the cola in cake. Like, isn’t it just soda with sugar? Feels weird. But hey, if it tastes good then whatever.
Totally get what you mean—cola feels out of place. But it’s not just “soda”… the acidity + sugar helps keep it moist and adds that caramel-y depth. If you like the idea of a cola-and-cherry vibe, it works way better than it sounds.
This cake is amazing! The cherry flavor really pops and the cola adds a unique twist. Definitely a hit at the party!
This cake is amazing! So moist and full of flavor. Everyone loved it at the party!
I totally agree! This cake was a huge hit at my last gathering too! So delicious!
I dunno, adding soda to a cake seems weird to me. Is it really that good? I’d stick to regular recipes.
Not sure why you’d mix soda in cake, seems weird. Didn’t taste like cake to me.
I absolutely loved this Cherry Cola Cake! The cola made it super moist and the cherry flavor is to die for. Will be making this again for sure!
Really? Cherry cola cake? Sounds kinda weird to me. I don’t think I’ll try it.
I tried this recipe too and it was amazing! So moist and full of flavor. You nailed it!
This cake was an absolute hit at my family gathering! Everyone loved it. Definitely making it again!
Seems a bit weird to put cola in a cake. Not sure if I wanna try this.
I thought the same at first, but cola adds such a unique flavor! It’s surprisingly good, give it a shot!
I don’t usually bake with soda, but the kids loved it. Next time I’ll swirl in some extra cherry filling on top.
I tried a similar thing once and it turned out moist, but I’m not sure about using the whole cake mix box—seems like it could be too sweet with the cola. Still, I wanna test it.
This cake was a HUGE hit at my party! So moist and flavorfule.
I’m so glad to hear that! I tried it too, and everyone loved it, but I thought it was a bit too sweet. Maybe I’ll cut down on the cola next time?
Yum!! Super delish!! I ate half the cake by myself lol!
This is way too sweet for me. Between the pie filling and cake mix, it’s basically dessert on hard mode. Could work with less pie filling or a less sugary cola.
Not a fan. My cake turned out super dry. Maybe I did something wrong?
I’m sorry to hear that! Dry cake can happen if it’s overbaked or if the ingredients weren’t mixed properly. Did you follow the instructions carefully?
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it for my friend’s birthday.
Wasn’t a fan. The flavor was kinda weird, and the texture was off. I usually love desserts but this one didn’t do it for me.
Not a fan of cake that has pop in it…just seems weird lol. But my sister loved it.
I totally get that! Cake with soda sounds kinda odd, but it can be surprisingly good! Maybe give it another shot! 😊
It’s good, but mine turned out a bit too sweet for my taste. Next time I’d maybe use diet cola or reduce the cherry pie filling a little.
The flavor was kinda weird at first, like soda candy vibes, but after cooling it settled and was actually really good. Would make again for sure.
350°F for 35 minutes felt too short—mine was raw in the middle. After I added another 10 minutes it turned out. Don’t trust toothpicks alone, lol.
Oof, yeah 35 min can be way off depending on your oven and how full the pan is. I’m with you—toastpick alone is risky. I usually go by “edges set, center not jiggly” too.
Wait, I thought toothpicks are like the LAW 😅 Maybe my middle always comes out fine tho. 9×13 should be the same right? Either way, adding 10 minutes fixes it.
The instructions are simple, but I wish they said whether to include the eggs before or after mixing the cake mix—mine got a few lumps.
Um, I don’t get why you’d put cola in a cake? Seems weird.
Not convinced. Cake mix + cola + eggs… feels like it’s missing something. Also “devil’s food cake mix” already has chocolate, so I’m like—does the cola taste actually come through?
Cake mix? Really? Seems too easy. I prefer more traditional recipes.
Cake mix is for lazy cooks! Back in my day, we mixed everything from scratch, and it always tasted better. This is just a shortcut, no love in that cake!
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes shortcuts can lead to delicious surprises! This cake is actually really moist and tasty. You might just like it if you give it a shot!
Yum.
I was skeptical at first, but it turned out pretty good! The cola gives it a unique taste.
I thought it was gonna be weird too, but cola in cake? Genius! 😍
Really? I don’t see how cola would go with cake. Sounds strange.
I don’t know, it tasted kinda weird. Maybe I should’ve used a different cola?
Too sweet for me. My stomach hurt after eating it. But my kids loved it! So, 3 stars.
I’m sorry to hear it was too sweet for you! Maybe next time you can reduce the sugar or use a different cake mix? My kids loved it too!
Wait, too sweet? I thought it was perfect! But hey, kids are picky sometimes, good to know they liked it!
Not my cup of tea, but my grandma used to make something similar.
Made this last weekend—so easy and the cake is super moist. The cherry flavor really comes through, and the cola just makes it taste deeper.
I made this for my daughter’s birthday, and it was a huge hit! The cherry flavor was delish!
That sounds amazing! I’m going to try it for my son’s party next month.
This cake is amazing! I love the cherry cola flavor! My kids couldn’t get enough of it!
I honestly didn’t think cola and cherry pie filling would work, but wow! I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was.
I tried this recipe and it was surprisingly good! The cola gave it a unique flavor. Definitely adding it to my favorites!
Are you kidding? Cola in a cake? Sounds gross. I don’t think I’d ever try that.
My kids loved this! Super easy and fun, will make again! 🍰
Looks good but my toothpick never comes out clean in 35 min, always needs longer… maybe my pan was smaller? Cake still tasted ok tho.
Totally possible—if your pan is smaller or deeper, it’ll take longer for the center to set. Also, cola can make it a bit more “moist,” so the toothpick might not come out perfectly clean even when it’s cooked. I usually go by “set around the edges + springy center” and add 5–10 minutes if needed. Glad it still tasted great though!
Very sweet for my taste. I like my cakes with less sugar. Next time I might skip the cola.
Devil’s food cake mix + cherry pie filling + cola feels like cheating 😅 but I’m not mad. It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser at potlucks.
Okay but… cola + cherry pie filling + devil’s food mix is kinda genius 😂 I tried it once and it disappeared at a potluck so fast I didn’t even get a second slice.
I mean, cheating? maybe 😅 But 9×13, 350°F, 35 min… I’d eat it. I might swap cola for diet though, unless it tastes flat.
OMG this cake is sooo good! So moist and delicious. I didn’t think cola could work this well in cake!
Mine didn’t come out clean with the toothpick—more like gooey at 35 min. I think my oven runs cold. I added another 10 minutes and it finally set.
Cool idea, but seriously, who puts cola in cake? 🤨 I couldn’t convince my family to try it. Maybe next time.
I gave it a shot, but my cake turned out really dense. 😕
OMG heaven! I didn’t let it cool before diving in and it was a gooey mess, but like, the best mess ever. 😂
Not bad, but the cherry flavor disappeared a bit. I think I should’ve used a thicker pie filling? Still, kids liked it.
Tasted great, but the bake time was too short for me. Took 10 extra minutes to get it right.
This is giving me ‘dump cake’ vibes and I love it. Super forgiving and not overly complicated.
350°F for 35 minutes? My oven runs hot, so I’d probably start checking at like 28-30. Otherwise it might come out a bit dry.
I don’t really understand how cola can replace so much, but it really does! I thought it was all a gimmick but man, this cake is a hit! 😍
I accidentally used diet cola AND forgot to grease enough, so it stuck a bit. But the center was still perfect. Next time I’ll pay attention lol.
I didn’t have cherry pie filling, so I used peaches. It was still delicious! I’m curious how it tastes with cherries though.
Cake!!! Love it! Very easy to make, and the kids loved it. Definitely leaving this recipe out for our family gatherings.
Yummy! Just made this for my kids and they couldn’t get enough. A fun twist on the usual chocolate cake. Thanks for sharing!
delish! best cake ever! so easy 2 make!
I tried making this but added too many eggs by accident. Came out like a custard! Gonna try again for the real deal.
Yum! Perfect dessert for summer BBQs. My friends were shocked when I told them the ingredients. So fun!
Wow, that sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it at my next BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
I dunno, cherry and cola together? Sounds kinda weird. Like, cakes should be cake, ya know?
The instructions are kinda vague (like “use your favorite brand” of cola), so I used whatever was in the fridge and it was… okay. Still edible though.
Haha I get that—“use your favorite brand” is basically permission to gamble 😅 But if it turned out okay, that’s a win. Did you notice if it came out sweeter with a diet vs regular cola?
I dunno, I didn’t really taste the cherry at all. Maybe I didn’t add enough? Idk, I’ll try again.
Cherry pie filling?? What if I dont like cherys? Can I use a diffren flavor?
Cake? More like a soda explosion! lol. But seriously, it’s great for kids’ parties!
I don’t know… cherry and cola? That sounds weird. Wouldn’t it taste gross?
Haha, totally! The kids will go nuts over it! Perfect for a birthday bash. 🎉
Okay but why does this actually taste like a dessert from a diner? I used Duncan Hines devil’s food and it turned out great.
What even is cherry cola? Can someone explain? Cake was nice tho lol.
This cake was super moist and had a unique flavor! My whole family loved it. Definitely a keeper!
So good! I used diet cola and it still worked (maybe even better?). Everyone asked for the recipe.
I followed it exactly and my top got a little too dark around minute 25. Maybe my oven runs hot. Still tasty, but I’d tent it with foil next time.
Ew! Sounds nasty. Why put soda in cake?? That’s just wrong.
Cherry pie filling? LOL. I just used applesauce, sooo good!
Cherry Cola Cake? Sounds strange but it actually worked out pretty well. Surprised my guests for sure!
One word: Amazing.
I was skeptical about adding cola to cake mix, but wow. Very moist. Mine took closer to 40 minutes because my oven runs hot.
I was the same way—cola sounds weird—but it really does make it super moist. I baked mine 35 minutes exactly and it was perfect. Glad your oven runs hot though—40 mins makes sense.
Wait… cola in cake mix? I tried something like this once and it tasted kinda like soda bread 😅 Maybe I used the wrong cola? What cherry pie filling did you use—like the canned pie filling, not cherry preserves?
Did not like it. The cola gave it a weird taste, I prefer normal cakes.
Are you sure you mixed it right? Sounds delish to me! I think I’ll try it!
I actually love the cola in this cake! It adds a unique flavor that makes it stand out. Maybe it’s just not for you.
Yum! Very delicious! I didn’t have eggs, so I used applesauce instead!
But applesauce isn’t a good replacemnt for eggs. You should just follow the recipe. Cakes need eggs to rise properly.
That’s a clever substitute! I’ve heard of using applesauce in baking, but never tried it in a cake like this. Sounds interesting!