Classic Cola Cake

I have a bit of a confession to make – I hate the sweltering heat of summer. Yes, I know I live in Atlanta. But this weather makes me tired, irritable, and melts me into a sticky puddle every time I venture outside.

For example, today the temperature reached a lovely 98 degrees. The sun's rays poured down through the cloudless blue sky, heating the pavement to a temperature that would blister and burst unprotected feet. I know that to be true because I burnt the dickens on the bottom of both feet while at the pool. Lesson learned; always wear sandals to the edge of pool.

I realize there are those who seek out such sultry weather. But on a day like today, I like to pretend I'm snuggled inside a warm (well equipped with ... TV, cable, high speed Internet, and lots of yummy food) cabin on a snow capped mountain. My hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate spiked with some sort of liqueur and a good book in my lap. Now comes the "but" part. I only want to be at this magical world of snow for one day.... two at the most. Anything more than that, I'll go bonkers from the cold, early dark nights of winter.

Okay, enough of my meteoroligical intolerance. I'm just going to chill out on the recliner with my little burned piggies.

Ingredients for Cake:
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup cola soft drink
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Ingredients for Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup cola soft drink
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions for Cake Batter:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange chopped pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.

2. Combine cola and buttermilk.

3. Beat butter at low speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat at low speed just until blended.

4. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Pour Classic Cola Frosting over warm cake; sprinkle with pecans.

Directions for Frosting:
1. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted. Remove from heat; whisk in sugar and vanilla. Use immediately.