Best Tips on Making an A&W Root Beer Cake

When you have just bought in A&W root beer bottles, you are most likely to consider making a float, if you fancied a special treat. However, A&W root beer can actually add a fantastic depth of flavour to this wonderful cake.

Ingredients:

To make this absolutely scrumptious cake you will need one 500 ml bottle of A&W root beer, but use the full sugar variety. You will also need 75 grams of unsalted butter, 125 grams of good quality unsweetened cocoa powder, 150 grams of caster sugar, 50 grams of dark brown sugar, 275 grams of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 2 eggs and a pinch of salt. 

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees and prepare your cake tin by greasing it with cooking spray. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat the root beer with the butter and cocoa powder until all the butter is melted and the cocoa is smoothly combined. Add in the sugars and whisk the mixture until all the sugar is dissolved. Remove your pan from the stovetop and give it a few minutes to cool slightly. 

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt and baking powder together. Whisk the eggs into the cocoa mixture one at a time before folding in the flour. You may find the mixture has a few lumps, but don’t over beat as you will make the cake tough. 

Pour your cake mixture into your pre greased tin and allow it to bake for thirty to forty minutes. You should rotate your cake tin approximately halfway through the baking time. The cake is ready when you can push a skewer into the centre of the cake and have it come out clean. Allow your cake to completely cool on a wire rack before you attempt to decorate. 

Frosting:

No root beer cake would be complete without deliciously sweet chocolate and root beer frosting. You will need 60 millilitres of root beer, 50 grams of melted chocolate with at least sixty percent cocoa solids, 110 grams of softened unsalted butter, a pinch of salt, 80 grams of cocoa powder and 350 grams of icing sugar. 

All you need to do is beat the butter and cocoa powder together with a hand whisk or wooden spoon. Add in the remaining ingredients and beat the frosting until it is smooth and creamy. This frosting can be spread over the top of the cake, or you can pipe it if you are feeling more creative.