Ingredients
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tablespoon root beer flavor
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 12-ounce can root beer, not sugar-free
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and dust with flour a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Cream the shortening and sugar together. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat for five or six minutes so that the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the root beer flavor.
In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, salt, and soda together.
In three or four additions, alternately add the dry ingredients and the liquids to the creamed mixture starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool completely before frosting with the frosting of your choice.
For the frosting:
3/4 cup butter
about 5 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional milk as required
Cream the butter. Add half the powdered sugar and two tablespoons milk.
Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, beating as you go.
Add the vanilla and melted chocolate. Add more milk as required to reach a consistency for piping or spreading.