Dr. Pepper Cake and Frosting

   We all have those memories as a child of a treat that we couldn't get enough of. For some it was watermelon, for others, cotton candy. Mine was Dr. Pepper. I could drink gallons of this stuff, if it wouldn't put me in a comatose state, and I'm really not all that big of a fan of sweet things in general. Still, nothing compared on a long hot summer day to a cup of ice, the sound of the whoosh of carbonation as the bottle was opened, and the crisp taste of this ambrosia as it hit the back of a parched throat. 

   So when I discovered that I could have that and chocolate at the same time, no glass or ice required, I jumped on it! You can watch the Youtube video of me making this here, or just slide below to find the recipe. 

   The "frosting" resembles a ganache more, and forms a nice crusty shell to the cake. As this was more for my wife (a truer chocoholic can not be found) I used all the frosting, though keep in mind, it does make a lot! If you aren't that into contracting diabetes, you might want to cut it in half. You can see it made here!

Dr. Pepper Bundt Cake 

• 2 cups Dr. Pepper (do NOT use diet)
• 1 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs

   Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously spray the inside of a 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter it, dust with flour, and knock out the excess flour.

   In a small saucepan, heat the Dr. Pepper, cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.

   In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.

   In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until just beaten, then whisk them into the cooled cocoa mixture until combined. Gently fold the flour mixture into the cocoa mixture. The batter will be slightly lumpy--do not overbeat, as it could cause the cake to be tough.

   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Gently loosen the sides of the cake from the pan and turn it out onto the rack.

Dr.Pepper Frosting

• 1/3 cup of Dr. Pepper
• 1/2 c butter
• 6 Tbls. of cocoa
• 1.5 lbs powdered sugar

   Bring everything but the powdered sugar to a boil. Pour the hot mixture over the powdered sugar and mix well. Add Dr Pepper to thin frosting as needed.