Big Name Cola Cake

(Hey, why should I give them free advertising?)

by Susan Trevaskis-Owen

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup Big Name Cola
1 cup butter
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup sour milk
2 eggs
3 Tablespoons vanilla
2 cups miniature marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
2. Combine in mixing bowl: 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Set aside.
3. In saucepan, heat to boiling 1 cup Big Name Cola Classic, 1 cup butter (NOT MARGARINE!!), and 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
4. Pour over dry ingredients and mix to blend.
5. Add 1/2 cup sour milk (see below), 2 beaten eggs, 3 tablespoons vanilla (yes, 3 tablespoons, that's not a typo) and 2 cups miniature marshmallows and mix well (it's supposed to look like that).
6. Pour into greased and floured 13" x 9" x 2" pan and bake 35-40 minutes.
7. Pour icing immediately over hot cake. When cool, cover with plastic wrap and let stand three days before serving (yes, three days. Trust me on this.)

PLEASE NOTE: Often the cake will absorb the entire batch of icing, so be prepared to top it with a second batch after about a day.

Big Name Cola Icing

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons Big Name Cola Classic
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
16 oz/400 g sifted powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar)

1. Heat to boiling 6 tablespoons Big Name Cola Classic, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup butter (NOT MARGARINE!) (To save on washing up, I just use the same pan as the one for the cake)
2. Mix in one box (16 oz) of sifted powdered sugar until smooth. Keep warm, stirring frequently, until cake is done.
3. Pour over hot cake.

PLEASE NOTE: The original recipe as I received it from my friend's grandmother included 1 cup of chopped walnuts in the icing, but I think it tastes better without them. Besides, I serve this to my friends, several of whom either don't like nuts or are allergic to them. Like you care. . . :)

SOUR MILK: Pour 1-2 capfuls of vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup. Add fresh milk to make 1/2 cup. Let stand 5 minutes or so until it starts to curdle. If you prefer, you can substitute buttermilk for the sour milk.