What You Can Cook & Bake With Coca-Cola

Although a can of Coke may not be the first thing you’d reach for when planning a dinner or dessert recipe, the soda has some qualities that make it an interesting addition to both sweet and savory dishes. 

One of the main ways a can of Coke can enhance a dish is through its sweetness, which can add a complex level of flavor to sauces, marinades and glazes. This sweetness, combined with the soda’s distinctive blend of spices and acidity, contributes a depth of flavor that balances out salty or spicy elements in recipes. 

The high sugar content in Coca-Cola also aids in caramelization, creating a glossy finish on meats and adding a rich, sweet, almost-smoky flavor which is particularly useful in glazes and sauces applied towards the end of cooking or grilling.

Coca-Cola's acidity also acts as a tenderizer for meat, breaking down proteins to create a more tender texture while its moisture content helps keep the meat juicy.

In baking, Coca-Cola provides both moisture and a light, airy texture to cakes and cookies, thanks to its carbonation. The extra air acts as a raising agent and can result in softer, fluffier baked goods with a unique flavor that compliments chocolate or spice-based recipes. 

Don’t knock it ‘till you try it! Here are a few recipes which use Coca-Cola that you can try for yourself!

Recipes that use a can of Coke

Coca-Cola chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a bowl, mix together Coca-Cola, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic and ginger.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then place it in a baking dish.

Pour the Coca-Cola mixture over the chicken.

Bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened.

Serve with rice or vegetables.

Coca-Cola BBQ ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs
• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

In a bowl, mix Coca-Cola, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and season them with salt and pepper.

Place the ribs in a baking dish and pour the Coca-Cola mixture over them.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

Remove the ribs from the oven and discard the foil. Brush the ribs with additional barbecue sauce and grill for 5-10 minutes, until caramelized.

Coca-Cola cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Coca-Cola
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

In a saucepan, bring Coca-Cola and oil to a simmer. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add the hot Coca-Cola mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.

Beat in the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in Coca-Cola and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.

Stir in powdered sugar until smooth.

Frost the cake once it has cooled.

Coca-Cola ham glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine Coca-Cola, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar and ground cloves.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the glaze is slightly thickened.

Brush the glaze over a pre-cooked ham during the last 20-30 minutes of baking, basting occasionally.

If you live in our luxury Atlanta apartments, then celebrate the hometown of Coca-Cola by giving these recipes a go!

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Featured photo by Tamas Pap on Unsplash