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

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or 9x13 cast iron baking pan with canola oil.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
5. 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.
6. Pour frosting over the warm cake. Let set before slicing.