Strawberry Soda Cake

Posted by Lori:

Have you seen the new Kraft heart-shaped marshmallows just in time for Valentine's Day?  Although I don't eat marshmallows that often, I like to buy them to use in holiday recipes.  The problem is, if I don't hurry and use them, the three adolescent boys and the one adult man in my household will eat them!  I know, I know, it would be better for me to just not buy them at all....but then I wouldn't have new recipes to share with you folks!

I decided to try making a cake using these marshmallows and strawberry soda (or soft drink.....or pop....or "Coke"....depending on where you live in the world! I would typically say "Coke", but it doesn't go with strawberry :)  It was soooooo good!  My son, Zachary helped by dipping the marshmallows for the top in chocolate.  It made a cute garnish!

Strawberry Soda Cake

1 cake mix (I used French Vanilla, but white would work)
1 - 3 oz. package vanilla instant pudding mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
12 ounces strawberry soda (equals 1 3/4 cup)
2 cups strawberry flavored,  heart-shaped marshmallows (Kraft)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 9 x 13 inch cake pan (or sheet cake pan would work). In large mixing bowl, mix cake mix, pudding mix, vegetable oil, eggs and strawberry soda per cake mix package directions.  Stir in marshmallows. Pour into prepared pan.  Bake for 30 - 35 minutes (test with toothpick inserted into center to ensure that middle is done.  Cake and marshmallows will be browned.)  Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes.  Poke small holes in cake using dowel stick or even a fork.  While still warm spread some of the icing over the cake to be absorbed down into the holes.  Allow to completely cook, then ice the cake with remaining icing (you may not want to use it all).  Top with chocolate dipped marshmallows, if desired.

Strawberry Soda Icing

1 stick butter, melted
6 tablespoons strawberry soda
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Mix all ingredients together in medium mixing bowl.  Use icing as directed above.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon shortening
24 marshmallows (this is for 2 per piece of cake)

Place marshmallows and shortening in small glass bowl or glass measuring cup. Microwave in short times, stirring between each time.  (All microwaves are different, so times would vary, thus not given.)  Dip marshmallows into chocolate.  Allow to cool on waxed paper.  Place on iced cake.

This post is linked to:  Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.