COCA-COLA CAKE

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup Coca-Cola (not diet)
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/3 cup Coca-Cola
1 pound powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa and salt; set aside.  In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, soda and vanilla.  In a medium saucepan, heat butter, Coca-Cola and miniature marshmallows to boiling, stirring frequently.  Pour hot butter/cola mixture over flour mixture and mix well.  Add in buttermilk/egg mixture, stirring quickly until batter is well combined. Pour batter into a greased, 9x13 inch pan.  Bake for 35 minutes.  Meanwhile, make frosting by melting 1/2 cup butter with 1/3 cup Coca-Cola in a medium saucepan.  Pour over powdered sugar in a medium bowl and stir to combine.  Spread over cooled cake.

Let's Dish
This is a yummy, gooey chocolatey cake with a hint of cola flavor.  I really like it warm from the oven.  I'm told not to use diet cola or regular sized marshmallows (miniature only!) or the cake won't turn out.  I don't  add nuts to the frosting because some people around here don't like them, but I think toasted almonds would be really delicious.  If you don't have any buttermilk, just add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to your milk and let it sit for a few minutes.

Who Dished It Up First
I got this recipe from my friend Amy, who is a fabulous cook.  Her son requests this cake for his birthday every year. I did add one extra tablespoon of cocoa to the cake batter.  I figured a little extra chocolate never hurts!