Dr Pepper Cake is a dream come true for chocolate lovers. This classic chocolate cake recipe is made with soda and topped with a sweet boiled chocolate frosting that melts into the top. It might just be your new favorite dessert.
*This content is sponsored by Dixie Crystals Sugar. All opinions and ideas expressed are entirely my own.
There is just something amazing about a rich chocolate cake that satisfies every sweet tooth. I love that there are so many ways to make one.
Your cake can be fancy like this dark chocolate layered cake. Or you can keep it simple with a Texas sheet cake. Or have some fun with this funny cake!
One of my favorite ways to make cake is with soda. Did you know that you can add a can of soda for the liquid in some cake recipes? It's a fun way to add a unique flavor.
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Why Make a Soda Cake
This Dr Pepper cake recipe is a classic chocolate cake but has been jazzed up with the 23 delicious flavors of Dr Pepper. Here is why you will love this easy recipe!
So, if you are looking for a homemade chocolate cake with amazing texture and flavor this is the recipe for you.
- A soda cake is easy to make with just a few ingredients.
- Great dessert for crowds, potlucks, or family gatherings.
- It is made similar to a Texas sheet cake.
- The unique flavor of Dr Pepper enhances the chocolate.
- This cake is rich, moist, and topped with a cooked chocolate frosting.
Looking for more homemade cake recipes to make? Try our chocolate chip cake or easy coconut cake.
Key Ingredients
This chocolate cake recipe is made from scratch without having to pull out crazy ingredients. Basic pantry and fridge ingredients are all you need.
- Dr Pepper - Adds liquid to the dry ingredients, and the carbonation helps it bake up light and fluffy. TIP: Do NOT use diet or zero sugar soda.
- Butter - Unsalted butter is best and can be used straight from the refrigerator.
- Cocoa Powder - Hershey's Dark cocoa powders adds a deeper chocolate flavor. Regular cocoa can be used but the final cake will be a little lighter in color.
- Eggs - Helps the cake to rise and adds richness.
- Buttermilk - Gives this chocolate cake a light and moist texture.
- Sugar - Adds some sweetness to the dark chocolate.
- Baking Soda - Helps the cake to rise.
- Flour - Adds the primary structure of a cake. Make sure you are measuring flour properly for best results.
How to Make Dr Pepper Cake
For the Cake
1. Add flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk everything together.
2. In a smaller bowl whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
3. Place butter, cocoa powder, and Dr Pepper in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the butter melts, and the mixture is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat.
4. Pour the warm chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients. Slowly whisk it until everything is combined. Add the egg mixture and whisk again until combined.
Pour the cake batter into a greased 9x13 cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
For the Frosting
5. Melt butter, cocoa powder, milk, and soda over low heat until melted. Bring everything to a low boil, then remove from heat. Slowly whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
6. Immediately pour the Dr. Pepper frosting over the hot cake slowly. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, then let it cool before serving.
Storage Recommendations
To Serve: Let the frosting set completely before cutting the cake into squares. If you do not let it completely cool, the frosting will run off when you cut into the cake.
To Store: This cake can be tightly covered and kept for 3-4 days on the counter.
To Freeze: Wrap the entire cake or individual squares in two layers of plastic wrap then one layer of foil. Freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tips and Tricks
I know you want to make the best chocolate cake, so here are some tips to ensure your cake is perfect.
- Make sure you heat the wet ingredients for the cake and frosting before whisking in the dry ingredients. This is an important part of having a moist and fudgy chocolate cake.
- Use cherry Dr Pepper for yummy and delicious flavor twist.
- Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps giving the frosting a smooth texture.
- Do NOT let the cake cool completely before adding the frosting. It is best to pour the warm chocolate frosting onto the warm cake. This will let the frosting "melt" into the cake and give it that moist texture.
- If you would like to add nuts or sprinkles to the top of the cake, be sure to add them before the frosting sets up. This will help them stick to the cake better.
- This cake is amazing by itself, but I honestly think it tastes even better served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recipe FAQ'S
Not at all. The 23 flavors in the Dr Pepper enhances the flavor of the chocolate for a one of a kind taste.
Yes you can. Try using Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, or even 1 cup of coffee for a rich flavor.
This boiled chocolate frosting should have a smooth and creamy texture. Be sure to sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the heated mixture. This will help remove any lumps.
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Recipe
Dr. Pepper Cake
The 23 flavors of Dr Pepper's one-of-a-kind taste blends seamlessly with chocolate in this quick and easy Dr Pepper Cake. With Dr Pepper in both the cake and chocolate frosting, this quick and easy sheet cake recipe is going to be a surefire hit with fans of the classic soda.
Ingredients
For the Dr. Pepper Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 cup Dr Pepper®
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- ¼ cup Dr Pepper®
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Pinch salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Spray a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Add flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a mixing bowl and whisk together.
- In a smaller bowl whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
- Place butter, cocoa powder, and Dr Pepper in a saucepan over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
- Pour chocolate mixture into bowl with flour. Slowly whisk until everything is combined.
- Whisk in egg mixture slowly, then pour batter in prepared pan.
- Bake 33-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and place on wire rack. While cake is cooling, make frosting.
- Melt butter, cocoa powder, and Dr Pepper over low heat until melted. Bring to a low boil, then remove from heat.
- Slowly whisk in milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Immediately pour frosting over hot cake and spread out. Let cool completely before serving.
- Top with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes
- *Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup with flour until required amount is obtained. Scooping measuring cup directly into flour bag will firmly pack flour resulting in too much flour required for recipe.
- Top with some Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
- This recipe was made using Dixie Crystals Sugar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 1gSugar: 47gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Judy Nachtigal
Oh I apologize. I went back and found the link for the Dixie Crystal's recipe.
Judy Nachtigal
Jocelyn...where oh where is the recipe/ingredients list for this cake? I see all the instructions, but not the actual recipe. I follow your site often, but I've never seen this problem before.