Dr. Pepper Cake

HOW TO MAKE IT :

CAKE

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with pan release or butter & flour.
2. Add prunes and dried cherries to medium saucepan. Pour in 1 cup of Dr. Pepper, then bring it to a slow boil over medium heat.
3. Cook for 5 minutes, then remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
4. Boil 1/2 cup water. In a microwave safe dish, melt butter. Add cocoa to melted butter then add in boiling water. Whisk together until smooth, set aside.
5. In small bowl add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
6. In mixer fitted with paddle attachment add flour, sugar, nutmeg, ginger, and all spice.
7. With mixer on low, add in cocoa mixture.
8. Pour in buttermilk mixture.
9. Slowly pour in Dr. Pepper mixture and blend until fully combined.
10. This batter was about 5 cups, so I evenly divided it into two 8-inch pans. (2 1/2 cups per pan)
11. Bake for 30-34 minutes or until cake has pulled away from the edges and slightly cracked on top.

FROSTING

1. Boil 4 cups of Dr. Pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat until it has reduced to about 1/2 cup. 20 to 25 minutes. (I actually had my temp on medium high and reduced the soda for about 1 hour) Set aside to cool completely.
2. Add butter to mixer and then add in ginger, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
3. Mix on medium high speed for 3-5 minutes, scraping bowl as needed.
4. With the mixer on low, add in Dr. Pepper reduction and blend completely with. Spread over cooled cake.