Step 1: Preheat Your Oven - Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cake bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare Your Pan - Grease your 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray, and set it aside.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Melt Butter and Mix with Cheerwine - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the cubed butter. Add the Cheerwine and cocoa powder, stirring until well combined.
Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients - In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Pour the warm Cheerwine mixture into the wet ingredients and stir.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients - Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Step 7: Bake the Cake - Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool the Cake - Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Prepare the Frosting - Melt the unsweetened chocolate and 3 tablespoons of butter together. In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, whole milk, and Cheerwine, then mix in the chocolate mixture.
Step 10: Frost the Cake - Once cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the cake and add any desired decorations.
