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Brackets have been filled out and the games have started. NCAA® March Madness is in full swing! My husband has the app on his phone to make it easier to keep up with all the games (and how his bracket is doing) while we are on the go.
But did you know that the best place to watch the games is at your own house?! Especially if you invite over some friends. And when those friends arrive it would probably be a good idea to have some great food and drinks to serve! For our NCAA® March Madness watching I started with some Coca-Cola NCAA® Final Four Pack available at Walmart. From there I created a two-ingredient Vanilla Coke Brownie recipe and some easy Coke Zero Slow-Cooker Pork Ribs.
When I say two ingredient brownies, I literally mean two ingredients. A brownie box mix and a can of Vanilla Coke. (Though a can of Cherry Coke would probably taste pretty good as well!) Pour the can of Coke into the brownie mix, stir to combine, and then bake according to the directions on your brownie mix. For me it was 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.
The Coke ribs are a mere three ingredients: pork ribs, an 18oz bottle of BBQ sauce, and a can of Coke Zero. The package of ribs I picked up was about 5 pounds. Put it in your slow cooker, then pour in the bottle of BBQ sauce and your can of Coke Zero. I cooked mine on high for about 6 hours and they were perfect. (Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.)
You can get Coca-Cola NCAA® Final Four Pack available at Walmart come in Vanilla Coke, Cherry Coke, and Coke Zero. And at my Walmart they were in a special display at the end of the aisle with all the other soft drinks. I was able to grab 4 packs (16 cans) for $5.
Pop a few in the fridge to get nice and cold while your ribs and brownies are cooking. Then you’ve got food and drinks ready when everyone comes over.
I cooked my ribs long enough that they were literally falling on the bones delicious when it came time to serve them.
The brownies are dense and moist.
Oh, and giving everyone a drink tag helps to keep things straight.
Want to enter for a chance to win 2016 NCAA Final Four tickets? Upload a selfie with a Coca-Cola product as part of the National Coke Zero Final Four Selfie contest! Click the link to enter:
Coca Cola #FinalFourPack Walmart Sweepstakes – $1,000 in Prizing
I’ve shared my NCAA® March Madness recipes with you, I’d love to hear about your traditions or recipes. Leave me a comment!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Those sound amazing. I have never baked with Coke before, but it sounds like it came out awesome.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Robin! And it was so easy to cook with!
Artney | My Pretty Brown Blog says
This sound interesting, especially the ribs. I love a slow-cooker recipe so it’s worth a try. I make a WW’s cake using soda, so I’m sure the brownies are good!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
The brownies are a very similar idea to the cake. And definitely give the ribs a try!
Liz Mays says
I made a BBQ sauce with Coke before and that came out really good. I’ll have to try that now with Coke Zero, and the brownies are a given. 😉
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
It was really good with the Coke Zero! And in my house brownies are always a given, too 🙂
PoisedinPrint.com says
I’m a huge fan of Vanilla Coke. Just because it’s unconventional, I will try the brownies and Coke as well. I love simple and easy.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
I’m almost always a Coke Zero drinker, but I do love the Vanilla Coke as well. Hope you give the brownies a try!
Paris (My Big Fat Happy Life) says
These sound amazing! I can’t wait to try these at home.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
They were delicious, and disappeared almost instantly! Hope you love them!
princessmousey says
These recipes are mind blowing. I can’t wait to try both. Thanks for posting. Lots of love, Princess Mousey / Lisa
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Lisa! They were so easy I know I’ll be making them again (and soon)!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
Goodness this sounds amazing!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Neely!
heather @ divas run for bling says
These look fabulous. I love taking typical drinks such as coke (or sometimes whiskey or beer) and using them as marinades for meat.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
They make such good marinades! And then you can drink another while you are cooking 😉 Thanks, Heather!
Alice K says
Yum!!! I have never thought about doing that before with a coke! What a fun and clever idea. Also, this post has me so ready to run out of the office and have lunch! Ha! It all looks so delicious!
xo, Alice
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Alice! I hope you give them a try (and got to head out to lunch soon enough)!
Angie says
I Love the way meat turns out in the slow cooker with soda! Fun post, my bracket was busted after the first day and is just getting worse:-(. But it’s fun!!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
I don’t think I ever do well with my brackets, but I always try! And good food helps a busted bracket seem better 😉
Heather says
Oh that sounds so good! We really got to try these! I love cooking in my crockpot! I’ve made ribs once in them, but the coke zero ribs sounds really good right now!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Crockpots make dinner so easy! Hope you get a chance to try them. Thanks, Heather!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy says
It’s tie between Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke. #entry
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
It was fun to have all the different flavors in the house 😉
patricemfoster says
Great information want to try baking with coke. Thanks for sharing.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
It was really fun (and easy) to bake with them, hope you get a chance to try it!
Lynne Streeter Childress says
I gave up Coke Zero until I had one last week. So yummy. Great ideas.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Lynne! Coke Zero’s are my favorite soft drink 🙂
Michele says
Brownies made with Coke-that is a new one on me and I really want to try it. I will probably use the Cherry Coke as that is my absolute favorite.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
They would taste great with Cherry Coke! Thanks, Michele!
Debra says
These both sound so amazing! Yum!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Debra!
Krista says
I’ve made cupcakes with coke before but never brownies! Would love to try it!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
It’s pretty similar, hope you give them a try!
MrsTee says
This really sounds amazing! I’ve heard of cooking meat with Coke befre but BROWNIES???? Yes, Please!!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Exactly! Chocolate and Coke together make me a happy girl 😉
Amy Albers says
I’m not a huge ribs fan, but I cannot WAIT to try these brownies!!!!!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Don’t wait! 😉 Hope you love them!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I LOVE Coke! These recipes sound right up my alley – yum!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Me, too! You will love them 🙂
Michelle F. says
Both the brownies and ribs look amazing. Vanilla coke is my favorite flavor.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
It’s so good! Thanks, Michelle!
The Foodie Affair says
Two great recipes, super! I haven’t cooked with coke. I’m going to have to give your recipes a try!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Definitely give it a try!
Mindy says
My husband would be in heaven if I made these for him! 🙂 Thanks!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Mindy!
Claire says
Oh this looks so amazing! Your pictures make me hungry!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Claire! 🙂
Hearts & Home says
sounds easy to make!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
The ribs were so simple and they were soo good!
Rosey says
super easy Coke Ribs Recipe! I am definitely going to be trying that soon.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Rosey! The ribs were so nice to put in the crock pot and then just leave them all day 🙂
JanetGoingCrazy says
Two really great recipes and I can’t wait to try them both with my family.
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Janet! I hope your family loves them!
katrinagehman says
what an awesome idea!!! love it! i’m going to have to try both of these
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks! And I hope you get a chance to make them both!
Heather Brummett says
This looks and sounds AMAZING!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
They were as delicious as they look/sound 😉 Thanks, Heather!
Caitlin says
I’ve never heard of either of these recipes before but I love it! I feel like I should definitely try this out! Great inspiration for sure!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Thanks, Caitlin! I hope you give them both a try 😉
Debbie Wimberly Caraballo says
Both recipes sound VERY good and easy too – perfect combo! Thank you!
Julie is Coco and Cocoa says
Good and easy is the perfect combo 😉 Thanks, Debbie!