Root Beer Float Cake
Ingredients
2 cups root beer (not diet)
1 cup (dark unsweetened) cocoa powder
1/2 cup (unsalted) butter (1 stick), cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (dark) brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray the inside of a 10 inch Bundt pan (we use 2 9-inch round cake pans) with nonstick cooking spray, or butter generously and dust with flour, knocking out the excess.
In a large saucepan, heat the root beer, cocoa powder and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Add sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until just beaten. Then whisk into the cocoa mixture until combined (Note: you must let the cocoa powder cool first as per the directions, or you'll be cooking the eggs in it right now!). Gently fold the flour mixture into the cocoa mixture. The batter will be slightly lumpy. (You can give it a quick whisk if you like, but don't over beat the batter or it could cause the cake to be tough. Don't worry, the batter is very loose.)
Pour the batter into prepared pan(s) and cook for 35-45 (25-30 minutes for the rounds), rotating the pan halfway through baking until a sharp knife inserted in the center comes out clean (ignore this for the rounds). Transfer to a wire rack to coll completely, then loosen edges with a butter knife and turn out onto a cake plate.
Chocolate Root Beer Frosting
Ingredients
2 ounces 60 % cocoa, melted (we just use Hershey bars or chocolate chips)
1 stick (unsalted) butter, softened
1 tsp salt (you may want to use less, maybe just a 1/2 tsp)
1/4 cup root beer
2/3 cup (unsweetened) cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using an electric hand mixer, beat softened butter and cocoa powder, Once combined, add the melted chocolate, salt, powdered sugar and root beer. Beat together until smooth. Spread on top of cooled cake. Slice and serve with vanilla ice cream.
This cake is awesome--like your favorite chocolate cake with a little extra kick, and it's moist, and the frosting is deliciously light and creamy (our favorite frosting EVER)....SO GOOD! Anyways, we hope you all enjoy this treat as much as we do!
