Coca-Cola Cake

 

2 C. all-purpose flour

2 C. granulated sugar

½ C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 C. Coca-Cola

½ C. vegetable or canola oil

½ C. butter, cubed

½ C. buttermilk

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 C. Coca-Cola

½ C. butter, cubed

¼ C. unsweetened cocoa powder

½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

4 C. powdered sugar, or as needed

2 T. buttermilk, or as needed

 

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan over MEDIUM heat, combine the cola, oil, and cubed butter and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted. Pour the hot cola mixture over the dry ingredients and using an electric mixer, mix until just moistened. Mix in the buttermilk until well combined. Then, add the eggs and vanilla and beat again, until combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. About 15 minutes before the cake is done, prepare the icing. In a large saucepan over HIGH heat, bring cola to a full boil. Reduce to MEDIUM (or MEDIUM-HIGH if needed) and cook, at a steady boil, for 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to about ½ C. Reduce heat to LOW, add the butter, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted. Whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, 1 C. at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition until smooth, then whisk in the buttermilk. The icing should be smooth, glossy, and pourable but thick enough to coat the cake. You can adjust the consistency, if needed, with additional powdered sugar or buttermilk, whisking vigorously until smooth. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately pour the icing over the top, spreading it out with an offset spatula. Allow to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving the cake.