Tony, the Miller Brothers’ captive black bear, was one of the most memorable animals at the 101 Ranch. He could be found near the ranch store, where visitors bought five-cent bottles of soda to coax him from his sidewalk den. Tony was a beloved 101 Ranch icon until his death in 1931.
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ¼ cup oil
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup Coca-Cola
- 3½–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, optional
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or 9x13 cast iron baking pan with canola oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. In a saucepan, combine butter, oil, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil, whisking often. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk, then stir into the batter. Add eggs and vanilla bean paste; mix until smooth. Pour into the prepared cast iron pan.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- While the cake bakes, make the frosting. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa powder and Coca-Cola over medium heat, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until smooth and pourable. Stir in vanilla bean paste, if using.
- Pour frosting over the warm cake. Let set before slicing.