Cola Cake

Cola Cake

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1 cup cola
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1 square semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
2 1/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Frosting:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup cola (plus 2 to 3 tablespoons if needed)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Directions:
1. Place the butter, cola and baking chocolate in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the marshmallows and stir until blended and the marshmallows disappear. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend the shortening, oil, vanilla and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and buttermilk and beat until smooth.
3. Mix the flour with the baking soda, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add half of the flour mixture to the shortening mixture and beat, scraping the bowl from time to time. Add the cooled cola mixture and beat.
4. Add the remainder of the flour and beat until completely smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes. The batter will be thick.
5. Place the batter in an oiled and floured 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Set the pan on the top shelf of a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool.
6. For the frosting: Cream the butter; add the cocoa, vanilla, chocolate syrup and cola and beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, beating constantly. If the frosting seems a little dry, add a little more cola and beat well.
7. Frost the warm cake. Serve with vanilla bean ice cream.