Red Velvet Cola Cake

Red Velvet Cola Cake

•1 (18.25 ounces) package red velvet cake mix
•1 (3.9 ounce) package chocolate instant pudding mix
•4 large eggs
•1/2 cup vegetable oil
•1 1/4 cups cola flavored carbonated beverage
Cola Frosting:
•1/2 cup butter
•1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cola-flavored carbonated beverage
•1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 cup chopped pecans toasted

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl; beat at low speed with an electric mixer until blended; set aside.

Bring cola to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. With mixer on low speed, gradually pour hot cola into cake batter. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes.

Combine first three 3 ingredients of frosting in a large saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter melts. Do not boil mixture. Remove from heat; add powder sugar and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread warm chocolate-cola frosting over top of warm cake. Let cake cool completely on wire rack.
Yield: 15 servings.