Dr. Pepper cake - A guest post from She Wears Many Hats

Today's post is a a really fun one.  Amy from She Wears many Hats is sharing a super yummy, super easy cake. 

Amy is seriously awesome y'all.
Her site is GOR. GEOUS.
And she is about as nice as they come.
AND she's a fun girl to shop with...which is really important.
Ok, back to the cake...
It's made with Dr. Pepper.  Do I need to go on?
I think it'd be perfect for a BBQ...and with 4th of July coming up, it's now or never, I say.
So c'mon, let's let Amy talk about cake.

Sugar, butter, chocolate, Dr. Pepper...

Yep. Dr. Pepper.

My daughter is a big Dr. Pepper fan, so I had to try a version of the chocolate cakes I've seen here and there using carbonated drinks as an ingredient. And boy howdy am I glad I did. This cake is a must do. Rich and moist, and oh, so easy. You should try it at least once.

One of the things I like about this cake is the ease at which it comes together. Seriously simple. It bakes in 20-28 minutes. All ingredients are combined in a saucepan and poured directly into a 13x9x2" baking pan. Speaking of ingredients, see the brown sugar pictured?

I've baked this cake a few times, both using 1 c. brown sugar + 1 c. regular 'ole white sugar, as well as all 2 c. of white sugar and I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe I'm missing something, but if you need to combine, or just want to, go ahead. Just make sure at least 1 cup of the sugar is white. You probably would be able to tell a difference if all sugar used was brown. But I dunno.

Also, for both the cake batter and frosting, I used Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa powder. It's good stuff. Hope you can find some.

The frosting is also made on the stove top in a sauce pan and poured directly on the cake while still warm.

YUM! While the frosting is mighty yummy, you could certainly do without it if you're trying to cut back on sugar. Or maybe just add a little dusting of powdered sugar? And of course, a tall glass of milk.

So what are you waiting for? Go grab a Dr. Pepper and get to work!

Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cake Recipe

makes one 13x9x2" baking pan 

(adapted from "Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake Recipe" found at thatsmyhome.com)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda

• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

• 1 stick salted butter (8 tablespoons)

• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (again, I used Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder)

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F and grease or spray with cooking spray a 13x9x2" baking pan.

2. Begin by combining the Dr. Pepper, oil, butter and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. When it comes to a simmer, mix well and turn stove off.

3. Mix dry ingredients together (sugar, flour and baking soda), add to mixture in saucepan and mix well, by hand. Don't over beat. DO NOT OVER BEAT.

4. In a separate small bowl lightly beat the eggs and buttermilk together, then add them to the saucepan and combine batter well by hand, but again, do not over beat.

5. Pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350° for approx. 23-28 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 23-28 minutes

Copyright © copyright 2009-2011 SheWearsManyHats.com.

Chocolate Frosting Recipe

covers one 13x9x2" baking pan (and then some)

Ingredients

• 1 stick salted butter (8 tablespoons)

• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 8 tablespoons milk

• 4 cups confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder and milk together over medium heat, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth.

2. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, combining after each addition until smooth.

3. Pour over warm cake.

4. Lock all the doors, draw the shades, don't answer the phone and get the milk.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Copyright © copyright 2009-2011 SheWearsManyHats.com.

Enjoy! And let me know how it turns out.
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Thanks Amy...now hop over and tell her hi!!