Story #56: Diet Coke Cake

Henry and me hard at work on the batter

Kelli shows off her frosting, ready to spread

Last weekend we were all in Chicago for my mom's surgery. It also happened to be my dad's birthday. "Can I be in charge of the cake?!" my sister in law Kelli wanted to know. "I have a GREAT recipe I want to try--it's called Diet Coke cake and it's incredible!" Diet Coke cake? I mean, I remember food in the midwest being different than what I eat now in California but this was more than unusual. Sure, I thought--as much as I love my dad and love cake, the last thing I was in the mood to do was create some special birthday confection. Plus with a name like that, who wouldn't be curious?

We went to the Jewel on our way home from the hospital Saturday night. I was worried about getting home because my brother had sounded pretty frustrated on the phone when I called to tell him we were leaving the hospital. Spending all afternoon with Henry and Samuel, while fun, can do that to a person. Kelli reassured me that the trip to the grocery store would be quick. "The recipe only has four ingredients," she explained, "even including the frosting. So there's not much to buy."

Diet Coke Cake

ingredients:
one box chocolate cake mix
one 12-ounce can Diet Coke
one tub frozen Cool Whip
one package Jell-o gelatin mix (we chose raspberry)

directions:
1. Empty the cake mix into a large bowl.
2. Add the Diet Coke.
3. Mix until batter is uniform and free of lumps.
4. Bake according to directions.
5. Cool.
6. Thaw Cool Whip until stir-able.
7. Empty the packet of Jell-o mix into the Cool Whip.
8. Fold until blended.
9. Frost.
10. Eat.

Henry and I were in charge of the batter while Kelli and Samuel made the frosting. The cake itself was light, fluffy, moist, and (on a California note) vegan. The frosting--shocking pink in color--was a little overwhelming to me, mostly because the crystals do not dissolve completely and the texture is crunchy as a result. Overall, though, innovative and enjoyable. Most importantly the birthday man seemed to enjoy being celebrated, which is the most important thing of all.

Dad eating Diet Coke cake!