The root beer flavor in this cake is intense. I wasn't sure about making this because most times you hear about a soda flavored-cake and, for me, it tends not to be that flavored; you can't even taste what the original flavor was supposed to be. I hate that. And I hate wasting all those ingredients for nothing.
But this cake is very tasty--lots of root beer flavor in there, Recipe comes from a cookbook I'm dying to get which hails from a famous bakery in Brooklyn called Baked. I know a lot of you foodies have heard of this bakery and the more popular cookbook. I cannot wait to get my hands on this cookbook. This root beer bundt cake recipe uses root beer snapps. Bingo! That brings out flavor indeed. So, if you are a root beer lover as I am then try this, it's not a boring bundt cake at all. Everyone in our house loved this, it did not last long at all. That frosting, oh that frosting! Update! I have gotten the book and it's worth it! Very worth it. Modern baking at it's best.
root beer bundt cake
From Baked: New Frontiers in Baking
print recipe
Cake:
1 1/2 cups root beer (do not use diet root beer)
1/2 cup root beer schnapps (if you cannot find schnapps then use 2 cups of root beer, not the 1 and 1/2 cups as stated above)
1 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1¼ cups granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
Frosting:
2 ounces dark chocolate (60% cacao), melted and cooled slightly
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup root beer OR 1/8 cup of root schnapps
2/3 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2½ cups confectioners' sugar
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously spray the inside of a 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray; alternatively, butter it, dust with flour, and knock out excess flour.
In a small saucepan, heat the root beer, root beer schnapps (if using), cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until just beaten, then whisk them into a cooled cocoa mixture until combined. Gently fold the flour mixture into the cocoa mixture. The batter will be slightly lumpy - do not overbeat, as it could cause the cake to be tough.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a small sharp knife inserted into the cake comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Gently loosen the sides of the cake from the pan and turn it out onto the rack.
For the root beer fudge frosting:
Put all the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse in short bursts until the frosting is shiny and smooth. Use a spatula to spread the fudge frosting over the crown of the bundt in a thick layer. Let the frosting set before serving.
Looks INTENSELY decadent and divine.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the lame flavored cakes, I'm psyched this one comes through. It looks wicked good, I think it's going to have to be the next bundt I make. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so interesting, and that frosting looks incredible. Your pictures are looking pretty great too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome, I love, love root beer...I just made 7up cake but this sounds so cool too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds and looks wonderful. My youngest is crazy about root beer and would be crazy about this cake. I made your savory cheese crackers, they are amazing!!!! Everyone loved them. Happy New Year Dawn!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I have had this on my to-make list since I saw it recently. I luurrve root beer even though I never drink it :) Glad to know it's a good recipe.
ReplyDeleteI love your creations! The cake looks awesome! Great photos too! Happy New Year Dawn! I hope it is a good one!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as good as it sounds, fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou know I only tasted root beer a couple of weeks ago?! I know! Where was I hiding? Cake looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome! I love root beer!
ReplyDeleteI love this - I bet this was tasty!
ReplyDelete-Darius
www.everydaycookin.com
That looks delish- but i am so not a fan of root beer. Maybe coke or DP???
ReplyDeleteYou can see from your pictures how moist this cake is, I need a folder just for your recipes Dawn!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous and unique. When my kids were young they got hooked on Coca Cola cake. I got so tired of making it for birthdays. I finally had to say no more Coca Cola Cake. I wonder if that would happen with this?
ReplyDeleteI don't see in the ingredient list or directions where the schnapps is used?
this cake is haunting me! damn, i've got to get me some rootbeer as i'm sure my husband would love this cake for his upcoming birthday.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing that cookbook as well and I love that the cake actually has root beer flavor. I feel like when soda is used, it usually doesn't taste like anything, just as you said.
ReplyDeleteSounds nice.. I've tried straight beer bread and this actually makes more sense to me. Thanks for the recipe :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice cake! It reminds me of the coca cola cake! Happy new year!
ReplyDeletedon't hate me, but i think root beer is one of the most foul concoctions ever created. i might like it in cake form, you never know. it sure looks pretty enough. :)
ReplyDeleteRoot Beer? Oh man, my boys would be in heaven! Looks terrific girl! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteThis is weird enough that I have to try it...root beer in cake sounds freaky good!
ReplyDeleteDawn, Happy New Year and save me a slab!
yum! i love rootbeer...i have had my eye on that book as well, i've heard nothing but good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a root beer cake - it looks and sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour new profile picture is cute - I love the hat.
Happy New Year Dawn.
That cake looks so good! I like the root beer in both the cake and the frosting.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
wowsa, yummy... why do you have to get me thinking about chocolate cake at this hour of the morning??? (i'm way behind in my google reader!)
ReplyDeleteDawn, You're luring me with this cake! I was going to swear off sweets for a while. I's sooo hard!!
ReplyDeleteYour camera is kicking ass!! That looks soooo good. I could eat a vat of that frosting alone! Can't wait to see what you have in store for 2009! Have a wonderful new year!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks so chocolatey & good.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I love root beer...what a neat idea! I am so making this. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG this looks GREAT! And that frosting....oh yeah!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Dawn! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad the cake worked out for you! :)
Look how deliciously moist that cake is! The frosting is calling to me as I am trying to stay good and not indulge in too much chocolate. Yeah right, who am I kidding?? I know a few friends who would love this so it looks like I have a good excuse to make one.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Dawn, this looks great. Combining root beer with chocolate..what a great idea. I've never had but I'm pretttty sure I will like it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful New Year!! May 2009 be more prosperous than you will imagine!
Michelle, Mocha and Quincy. :)
Wow, that looks fabulous! The flavor sounds amazing and it looks so pretty too! My rootbeer loving husband would die, seriously.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have made this cake yesterday instead of the bundt cake I made. (which was good, but this looks better :))
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Oh Dawn, this is the cake I made for my birthday a month ago, ha ha ha! It was VERY popular and yummy. It was huge too! I won't be able to post it for a while, then (anyway, I forgot the photos all the way back in the Philippines-- too much of a hassle to ask someone to mail it to me!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun cake! I'd love to look for the root beer schnapps... but then what to do w/ the leftover? Make more cake, I guess!
ReplyDeletelove ur blog. Its so informative and love all the delicacies u tossed up!hey whats the name of the pic of the cake on top of the page? looks delish
ReplyDeleteM new on blogosphere...a 2 month old blog n wud love it if u cud stop by! :)
hey just stumbled upon your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence I have tried this recipe too!
It's such amazing something utterly different