The One With the Cherry Coke Chocolate Cake

I saw a recipe for a chocolate cake using cherry coke a while back in Betty Crocker and have been wanting to try it. So I finally got around to it. It was very, very yummy.

I adapted this recipe from tastykitchen.com and made it my very own. Here's how:

To prepare: For garnish and a light sprinkling in the middle layer, you will need one jar of maraschino cherries. Drain the jar and reserve 1/3 cup of the juice for use in the batter.  Prepare two 9-inch pans with butter, flour and parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350.

For the cake you need:

• 1 box Devil's Food Chocolate Cake Mix (I used Pillsbury's)
• 1 cup Cherry Coke
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup of the juice from the jar of maraschino cherries

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.  Pour half the batter in each of the pans and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes and then on a wire rack for one hour.

For the frosting, I used a chocolate buttercream recipe from my mom that I just love. It is perfect.

• 1 pound (3 1/4 cups, loosely packed) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 tablespoons milk or water*
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

First, combine the butter and sugar, beating on low until completely blended. Add milk or water, vanilla and cocoa powder. If you want the frosting to be thinner, you can add another tablespoon or two of milk or water, beating on low until completely incorporated.

*I don't notice much of a difference between the use of milk or water in this recipe. Some people think the milk makes it creamier, however, if you use milk the cake must be refrigerated.

Assemble the cake: Spread one light layer of frosting on the first layer. Cut ten cherries into small bits and spread over the frosting. Add the second layer and frost the cake. Garnish with cherries as desired. Enjoy!

This cake is perfect even if you aren't a big fan of cherries. The cherry coke really just adds a moistness and a faint hint of something new and exciting, but is not overwhelming. However, if you really like the cherry flavor, let the cake sit, at least overnight. The longer it sits, the more the cherry flavor seeps in and makes it even more delicious. 

 

P.S. A friend (Hi, Betsy!), made this cake substituting regular cherry coke for diet cherry coke and said it turned out great! So feel free to do that if you'd like. :-)