Cherry Cola Cake Recipe

Doesn't this look pretty and delicious?

I love the combination of cherry cola and chocolate!  We have recently discovered Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper, which I think would also work.

This recipe comes from one of my favorite food websites, Taste of Home.  Link follows the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup cherry-flavored cola
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FROSTING:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
• 2 tablespoons frozen cherry-pomegranate juice concentrate, thawed
• Fresh sweet cherries with stems

Editor's Note: To frost sides as well as top of cake, double amounts for frosting.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper. 

Divide marshmallows between pans.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar and baking soda. 

In a small saucepan, combine butter, cola and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. 

Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened.

In a small bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. 

Pour into prepared pans, dividing batter evenly. (Marshmallows will float to the top.)

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in marshmallow creme and juice concentrate on low speed just until blended.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread top with 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; spread with remaining frosting. Decorate with cherries. 

Yield: 12 servings.

Originally published as Cherry Cola Cake in Taste of Home June/July 2013