Arrive at Smoke-A-Holics BBQ in Fort Worth’s Morningside Heights neighborhood armed with patience. That line is only getting longer, the more everyone hears how good this place is. Garden & Gun recently discovered its joys, so you’re wise to be prepared to wait. You’ll be amply rewarded with the exquisite brisket and ribs, as well as pulled pork. Just be sure you leave room for co-owner Kesha Walker’s Coca-Cola Cake. When she told me she’s not sharing their proprietary recipes, she did allow that this one below — which is standard in just about every Southern community cookbook found from Longview to Charleston — will work just fine. She makes hers as a sheet cake, which is customary, but I think a Bundt is a pretty alternative. Save up your sugar points; you can’t stop at one piece. (Find Smoke-A-Holics BBQ at 1417 Evans Ave., Fort Worth, 817-386-5658, smoke-a-holicsbbq.com.)
COCA-COLA CAKE
Serves 8
1 cup Coca-Cola
1 cup butter
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 cup miniature marshmallows
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
To make cake, bring Coca-Cola, butter and cocoa to boil in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as it boils, reduce to very low simmer and stir in marshmallows till they dissolve. Remove from heat; cool for 10 to 12 minutes.
Combine flour, sugar and baking soda, stirring to combine. Add eggs and vanilla, stirring just until combined. Add slightly cooled Coca-Cola mixture from saucepan and stir just until ingredients are blended.
Pour into buttered and floured Bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted at thickest part comes away clean.
Cool cake for at least 30 minutes; invert onto cake plate or serving platter. Meanwhile, make frosting, below. When cake has cooled, pour frosting over cake and allow it to set before serving.
Make frosting by bringing ½ cup butter, 1/3 cup Coca-Cola and 3 tablespoons cocoa to boil in saucepan, stirring well until smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in 3 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Cool mixture for abut 10 minutes, till it begins to set, then pour over the cake.