COPYCAT CRACKER BARREL 40TH ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE FUDGE COLA CAKE

Steps:

• Arrange oven racks to that there is room for a 9x13" sized baking pan to fit on the TOP rack, allowing for room for the cake to grow; preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour a 9x13" baking pan with deep sides.
• Measure out just 1 cup of the Coke, setting the rest aside to use later in the recipe.
• Place the measured Coke, just 1 stick of the butter, and the square of chocolate in a saucepan; heat, stirring often, until melted and mixture is boiling.
• Stir in the marshmallows, lowering the heat a bit if needed, and continue to stir until the mixture is fully melted and combined together; Set this mixture aside to cool a bit.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine shortening, oil, and only 2 tsp of the vanilla; Add the granulated sugar and mix well.
• Add both eggs and the milk and beat well, using an electric mixer.
• In another mixing bowl, combine buttermilk powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt; sift in the flour; Measure out just 3/4 cup of the cocoa powder and sift this into the flour mixture, stirring all of these dry ingredients together to blend.
• Add HALF of the flour mixture to the shortening mixture, beating until smooth.
• Slowly add some of the partially cooled fudge mixture, beating well.; Continue adding slowly and mixing it in carefully so you don't scramble the eggs in the batter; Once all of the fudge mixture has been added, be sure to beat the mixture well.
• Add in the remaining flour mixture and beat for 4 minutes exactly, using a timer; Mixture should now be a thick and creamy batter.
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake tests clean.
• Take your toothpick and poke holes all over the surface of the cake.
• Allow to cool long enough to still be somewhat warm, but not so hot that the icing will melt instantly when placed onto the cake.
• Take the remaining 1 stick of butter, the remaining 1 tsp vanilla, the remaining 1/2 cup cocoa powder, and the chocolate syrup and mix together in a small bowl.
• Add in about 1/3 cup of the remaining Coke.
• Add in the powdered sugar and blend well; it should be the consistency of hot fudge sauce - very thick, but not firm, but also not runny; If you need to add a bit more Coke or powdered sugar to adjust the icing to your liking, now is the time.
• Pour the fudge icing evenly over the still warm cake, then allow to set for a while - the icing will ooze into the toothpick holes a bit and firm up slightly on the surface (although it will still be a quite gooey topping).
• Serve cake still slightly warm or at room temperature, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side if desired.