Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake

Yesterday I read an article about a 102 year old woman who said her longevity was due to eating chocolate (yes!) and meat, smoking, and drinking booze and Dr Pepper. Quite the list.. So in honor of this testament to Dr Pepper and Chocolate (no cigarettes, liquor or meat included), here's a recipe for Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake! Very retro!

DR PEPPER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Cake
1 cup butter
1 cup Dr Pepper
4 Tbsp DARK cocoa
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional...I don't use it)
3 cups flour,  sifted
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda

Dr Pepper Frosting
1/2 cup Dr Pepper
1/4 cup butter
3 Tbsp DARK cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Cake
Heat Dr Pepper with butter, but do not boil. Set aside. Sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa. Beat together eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and baking soda. Add hot Dr Pepper mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in egg mixture, and blend well. Pour into greased and floured 15x10-inch sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Frosting
About 5 minutes before cake is done, heat Dr Pepper, butter, and cocoa.
Stir in powdered sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Spread frosting on while cake is still hot.