Day 340: Coca Cola Cake

I got this recipe from a cook book that was given to me by a reader.  Jan, who runs the Dairy Keen (a fabulous fast food restaruant in Heber City, Utah), gave it to me when I met her before the Wasatch County Fair cook off.  I've made several recipes out of it and its great.  But when I saw a recipe for Coca Cola Cake, I knew I needed to try it.  Coca Cola, the diet variety, is my drug of choice.  It's my morning coffee.  However, come January I'm afraid I'm giving it up.  Sigh.  But until then, I'm going to get it in any possible form.  :)

I also thought I'd give you a preview of what else I'll be cooking this month.  With it being Christmas, I thought I'd try some fun holiday recipes.  I'll be making a Chocolate Peppermint Layer Cake and Peppermint Raspberry Pots de Creme, so be sure to come back and check those out!

Coca-Cola Cake
12" dutch oven

Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
6 Tbs. cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup Coca-Cola

Frosting

1/2 cup butter
6 Tbs. Coca Cola
5 Tbs. cocoa
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 cup pecan pieces (optional)

For the Cake:  In a large bowl, whisk the sugar and flour together.  Place the butter, marshmallows, cocoa and Coke together in a small dutch oven over a full spread of coals.  Heat until the butter and marshmallows are melted, stirring often.  Pour melted mixture over the flour and sugar.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes.  Add the beaten egg and mix well.  Add the baking soda to the buttermilk and pour into the batter mixture.  Add the vanilla and mix well.  Pour into a well greased 12" dutch oven and bake at 350° for 40-50 minutes.  Use 1 1/2 rings on top and 1 ring on the bottom. 

For the Frosting:  Place the butter, cocoa and Coke in a small dutch oven.  (I used the same pot I melted the marshmallows for the cake in.)  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Pour over the powdered sugar and beat until creamy and the consistency to be spread.  Add the pecans, if using.  Spread over warm, not hot, cake.  Serves 10-12.

The Finished Product

The Review

Talk about a moist cake.  It was really good and had just a hint of the Coke flavor.  My kids loved the little lines of air pockets that the carbonation left in the cake.  The whole family loved this.  Grade A.