I should soooo be on a diet, but it’s 4th of July weekend and I’m ready for fireworks, cookouts and some of Southern Living Magazine’s Peanut-Cola Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting to cap the celebration.

Peanut-Cola Cake

Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup cola soft drink
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Peanut Butter Frosting
• 1 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine cola and buttermilk in a 2-cup measuring cup.
• 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.
• Combine flour and next 2 ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.
• Pour batter into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.
• Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare Peanut Butter Frosting. Pour over warm cake. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

Note: Total time includes frosting.

Peanut Butter Frosting

Yield: Makes 3 cups
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients


• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation