Recipe: Coca-Cola Cake

"Where There's Coke, There's Hospitality." Coca-Cola came up with that slogan in 1948, but reader Anne Kracke knows the sentiment holds just as true today whenever she serves her fabulous Coca-Cola Cake. This Southern-to-the-core dessert has been a tradition in her family ever since she began making it for each of her four children's birthdays.

Although her kids are now grown, she continues to offer this cake at dinner parties, church gatherings, and summer picnics. "Over the years, I've modified the recipe to suit my taste," Anne says. "I like dark chocolate, so I added more cocoa. And I place the nuts on only half of the icing to please all the family."

We love this cake because it's simple to prepare, easy to slice, and convenient to freeze. We guarantee you'll enjoy it, but don't count on leftovers.

A Southern Classic
Atlanta druggist John Pemberton first sold his caramel-colored concoction in 1886. He stirred it up in a three-legged pot and then carried the mixture a few doors down to Jacobs' Pharmacy, where he mixed it with carbonated water. The drugstore began offering the fizzy delight for 5 cents a glass--and the rest is history.

Since then, Coke has employed some of the catchiest advertising slogans around. Which ones do you remember?

• "Drink Coca-Cola" (1886)
• "The Pause That Refreshes" (1929)
• "Ice-cold Sunshine" (1932)
• "The Best Friend Thirst Ever Had" (1938)
• "Where There's Coke, There's Hospitality" (1948)
• "Sign of Good Taste" (1957)
• "Things Go Better With Coke" (1963)
• "It's the Real Thing" (1971)
• "Coke Adds Life" (1976)
• "Have a Coke and a Smile" (1979)
• "Coke Is It!" (1982)
• "Can't Beat the Feeling" (1989)
• "Always Coca-Cola" (1993)
• "Life Tastes Good" (2001)