Beth’s Cola Banana Bread is a recipe for banana bread with Coca Cola. I named it after my sister-in-law because she likes banana bread and (back when I first made it) thought the addition of Coke was kind of fun.
Cola Banana Bread
There are a few different versions of the recipe, but the one I use is low-and-slow baked at 300 degrees (like Carol’s Low Temperature Banana Bread), and calls for baking soda, which helps the banana bread develop a nice dark color. Of course the dark brown sugar and Coca Cola also help in that department. The result is a dense, not-too-banana-y, loaf with a unique flavor. I tasted the cinnamon, the Coca Cola,vanilla, banana and nuts. Fuzz (my daughter) who is not a real banana fan, really liked this.
Flat Top Loaf
This loaf does not bake up into a dome. It bakes up into a flat-topped rectangle, so my advice is to serve it upside down like this. I think it might also work well as a small Bundt, though I haven’t ever made it that way. What I really want to try is a Dr Pepper version! I’m not sure how much it would change the flavor, but it would be fun to serve.
Recipe

Beth’s Cola Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (210 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar (250 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mashed or pureed bananas
- 1/2 cup Coca Cola
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup toasted and chopped pecans if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Grease and flour an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch or a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Line with a strip of parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the oil, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs and bananas.
- Add half the flour mixture and stir until incorporated, then add the Coca Cola and remaining flour mixture and stir until mixed. Stir in the pecans.
- Pour into pan. Bake for about 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes).
Anna
Catherine, thanks for trying the recipe! This is an old fun one I haven’t made in a while, so I’m really glad you found it and tried it. And glad you got a dome.
Catherine maxey
Faboulous. I baked mini loaves, 8 partion pan. Shortened the baking time to 33 minutes surprising to me was they did bake with a dome. I also used only 1T oil and 3 Tablespoons applesauce. Fabulous taste. A winner. About 81\2 peeled bananas by weight . My bananas were super ripe, peel all brown. A must for banana bread.