Dr Pepper Cake

An ultra moist homemade chocolate cake with a twist. Dr Pepper Cake is an easy cake recipe that is lightly sweet. The fudge frosting will melt in your mouth.

Have you ever used soda to make cake? It’s one of my favorite ingredients to use when I want a unique flavor. We’ve got 7UP cake, cola cake and a pistachio cake with ginger ale.

Since my husband’s favorite soda is Dr Pepper, it was about time we made a Dr Pepper Cake. This cake bakes in a 9×13″ pan so is easy and perfect for sharing.

dr pepper chocolate cake with fudge frosting

Why you’ll love this cake:

  • A uniquely flavored chocolate cake.
  • Uses a box cake mix to keep it quick and easy.
  • Light and airy crumbed cake with a fudgy frosting that adds sweetness and texture.
  • A make ahead cake that freezes well too.
  • Recipe variations (including a from scratch cake) included.

How to Make a Dr Pepper Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch cake pan.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together all cake ingredients until fully incorporated, then pour into the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake cake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • While the cake is baking, melt butter in a medium sized saucepan.
  • On medium heat,whisk in sugar, Dr Pepper, cocoa, and vanilla.
  • Stir constantly until brought to a boil. Reduce heat and boil for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat and cool for 25 minutes.
  • Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and allow it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

**Pro Tip: Our cola cake calls for folding 2 cups of marshmallows into the cake batter before baking. What do the marshmallows do for the cake? They’ll rise to the top during baking and just give a little bit of a chewier, sweeter texture to the top of the cake. Give it a try if you’d like!*

Recipe Variations

  • Cherry Dr Pepper could be used for a fruity flavor twist.
  • Want a homemade chocolate cake? Use our coca cola cake recipe and switch the cola to Dr Pepper.
  • Nuts or sprinkles can be added on top of the frosting before it cools.
  • A red velvet cake mix would be a unique twist if you don’t want chocolate.
a closeup of a piece of chocolate cake on a plate

Other Frosting Ideas

The recipe included is a delicious cooked fudge-style frosting but if you’re looking for another option, try one of these:

You could also frost it with a simple whipped cream.

a closeup of chocolate cake on a plate
a closeup of chocolate cake on a plate

Dr Pepper Cake

4.36 from 17 votes
An ultra moist homemade chocolate cake with a twist. Dr Pepper Cake is an easy cake recipe that is lightly sweet. The fudge frosting will melt in your mouth.
Servings 15
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
 

For the Cake:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 ounces)
  • 3.4 ounces chocolate instant pudding (1 small box)
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces Dr Pepper room temperature

For the Frosting:

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch cake pan.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together all cake ingredients until fully incorporated, then pour into the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake cake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • While the cake is baking, melt butter in a medium sized saucepan.
  • On medium heat,whisk in sugar, Dr Pepper, cocoa, and vanilla.
  • Stir constantly until brought to a boil. Reduce heat and boil for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat and cool for 25 minutes.
  • Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and allow it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • This cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cake being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 400
Keyword chocolate dessert, chocolate sheet cake

Other Chocolate Cake Recipes

You can never go wrong with a slice of chocolate cake!

About Julie Clark

We are Julie, Maddie, and Kinslee – a mother and daughter team sharing with you the best cakes to satisfy any need or sweet craving that you may have. Welcome to our family’s kitchen!

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5 stars
This cake is so so delicious! I only had a white cake mix, so added 1/2 cup cocoa and followed the rest of the recipe exact, and omg it’s turned out perfect! It is super moist and chocolatey, with an undertone of Dr Pepper. The icing has gone fudgey and seeped into the cake which makes for a super tasty, brownie like texture. I will definitely be making this again!