Cherry Cola Sheet Cake Patricia Heaton Recipes

MINI CHERRY CRUMBLES

Steps:

• Special equipment: eight 4-ounce ceramic or foil ramekins
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the cherries with the granulated sugar, grated ginger, lemon juice and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Divide the mixture evenly between eight 4-ounce ramekins. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the ramekins on top.
• For the crumble: Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. Stir in the molasses. Add the butter and use your fingers to lightly knead the mixture until it is crumbly and the dry ingredients are fully incorporated into the butter.
• Top the ramekins evenly with the crumbs. Bake until the crumbs are crisp and toasted and the cherry mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

CHERRY COKE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, then line with parchment and spray the parchment.
• Combine the cake mix and pudding mix in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed to blend. With the mixer still running, add the egg whites, cherry cola and vegetable oil and mix until combined. Raise the speed to medium and mix until increased in volume, lighter in color and smooth, about 5 minutes. Fold in the maraschino cherries. Divide the batter between the prepared baking pans; smooth into even layers using an offset spatula.
• Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges pull away from the sides of the pan, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool in the pans, about 10 minutes, then turn out onto racks and let cool completely, about 1 hour.??
• For the frosting: Mix the confectioners' sugar, butter and salt together in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on low speed until well blended, then increase the speed to high and whip until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the maraschino cherry liquid and continue to whip until bright pink and spreadable. Add the chopped cherries and mix on low speed until evenly distributed.
• Using a serrated knife and sawing in long, even strokes, carefully halve the cake layers horizontally. Place 1 layer, cut-side up, on a platter or cake stand; spread 1 1/2 cups frosting on top. Stack another cake layer on top and spread another 1 1/2 cups frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining 2 cake layers, then cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (this is the crumb coat) and use a bench scraper or large offset spatula to smooth out the sides and top (it's okay if some cake shows through). Refrigerate 15 minutes, then add another 1/2-inch layer of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth out to make a perfectly flat top. Refrigerate until ready to cover with ganache.
• For the ganache: Meanwhile, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until beginning to boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is completely smooth and the chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Let cool 30 minutes, then pour over the chilled cake so that the top is completely coated and chocolate drips decoratively down the sides. Let set at room temperature 30 minutes, then top with the whole cherries in the center of the cake and serve.

CHERRY COLA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. Divide marshmallows between pans., In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar and baking soda. In a small saucepan, combine butter, cola and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened., In a small bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. Pour into prepared pans, dividing batter evenly. (Marshmallows will float to the top.), Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in marshmallow creme and juice concentrate on low speed just until blended., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread top with 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; spread with remaining frosting. Decorate with cherries.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY COLA CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. Chop cherries; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, cola beverage, oil, eggs and 1/4 cup reserved cherry liquid with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in chopped cherries. Pour into pan.
• Bake 34 to 42 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In small bowl, mix frosting and marshmallow creme until smooth. Frost cake. Top each piece with 2 cherries with stems. Store loosely covered.