One rum and coke cake, please?

Since the fruity dessert I was going to make this week couldn't happen (Stupid seasonal fruits! Grr!), I asked my other half to pick a number. He picked 6. The sixth card in the dessert pile was...

"Rum and Cherry Cola Fudge Spoon Cake" (6 quart pot)

~1/2 c cherry cola (the card called for regular cola. I used cherry because I'm oh so rebellious.)
~1/2 c dried bing cherries
~1 c chocolate milk
~1 stick unsalted butter, melted
~2 t vanilla
~1 1/2 c flour
~1/2 c semi sweet chocolate chips
~1/2 c sugar
~2 1/2 t baking powder
~1/2 t salt

Topping:

~1 1/4 c cola (The card said vanilla cola. Laurer's didn't have any so I used regular.)
~1/4 c dark rum
~1/2 c semi sweet chocolate chips
~1/2 c sugar
~1/2 c packed brown sugar

Coat crock pot with Pam.
Bring cherry cola and cherries to boil in saucepan.
Remove from heat and let stand for 30 minutes.
Combine chocolate milk, butter, and vanilla in small bowl.
Combine flour, chips, sugar, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.
Add milk mixture and cherries and stir until smooth.
Pour into crock pot.
Bring cola and rum to a boil in sauce pan.
Remove from heat.
Add chips and sugars.
Stir until smooth.
Gently pour over batter. DO NOT STIR.
Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours until cake is puffed and top layer has set.
Turn off crock pot.
Let stand, covered, for 30 minutes.
Serve warm.

8 servings.

I don't know if it was because my gums hurt from my dentist visit yesterday or if it was me being grumpy from being stuck in traffic on the way home from it, but I REALLY needed this. I needed alcohol. I needed sugar. I needed chocolate. AND I didn't care that I was starting the crock at 7pm and that I wouldn't get to eat it until 10. I was determined to make this cake.

And I'm glad I did. It's FABULOUS. I'm not a rum girl, but this hit the spot. The bottom fudge layer is so good I just about licked the still scolding hot crock pot clean when I put away the leftovers.