Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert obsession: the Cherry Dr Pepper Cake. If you’ve never tried baking with soda, you’re in for a treat. This recipe transforms a simple box of cake mix into an incredibly moist, rich, and flavorful cake with a unique twist that will have everyone asking for your secret. It’s the perfect easy dessert for potlucks, family gatherings, or anytime you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
The magic of this cake lies in the sweet, bubbly goodness of Cherry Dr Pepper. It works wonders, creating a tender crumb and infusing every bite with a subtle, fruity spice that perfectly complements the rich chocolate. Topped with a luscious cherry buttercream frosting, this cake is pure indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Dr Pepper Cake Recipe
- Unbelievably Moist: The soda creates a tender, moist crumb that stays fresh for days.
- Unique Flavor: It’s a fun and delicious twist on a classic chocolate cake with notes of cherry and spice.
- Incredibly Easy: Using a cake mix makes this recipe super simple and quick to whip up.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s versatile enough for a birthday party or a casual weeknight treat.
The Surprising Science: What Makes Soda Cake So Good?
Baking with soda might seem unusual, but there’s a simple science behind it. The carbonation in the Dr Pepper adds extra leavening to the batter, reacting with the other ingredients to create a light and airy texture. Furthermore, the sugars and unique flavorings in the soda deepen the cake’s taste and contribute to its incredible moisture, ensuring it never comes out dry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cherry Dr Pepper Cake:
- Chocolate Cake Mix: One box of your favorite devil’s food or classic chocolate cake mix.
- Cherry Dr Pepper: The star of the show! Do not use diet soda.
- Eggs: To bind the cake together.
- Vegetable Oil: For added moisture and a tender texture.
- Maraschino Cherries: Diced, for little bursts of cherry flavor throughout the cake.
For the Cherry Buttercream Frosting:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for a creamy consistency.
- Powdered Sugar: The base of our sweet and fluffy frosting.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: For that signature cherry flavor and beautiful pink tint.
- Vanilla Extract: To enhance all the sweet flavors.
- Milk or Cream: To achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cherry Dr Pepper Cake
Making the Cake:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, Cherry Dr Pepper, eggs, and vegetable oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes. Gently fold in the diced maraschino cherries.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. It is crucial the cake is not warm when you frost it.
Whipping Up the Frosting:
- Cream the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Flavor: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined. Add the maraschino cherry juice and vanilla extract.
- Beat Until Fluffy: Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until the frosting is smooth and airy. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or cream at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Garnish with whole maraschino cherries if desired.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Soda Cake
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allowing your eggs to come to room temperature will help them incorporate better into the batter, yielding a more uniform texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake.
- Cool It Down: Never frost a warm cake! The heat will melt your beautiful buttercream frosting into a soupy mess. Patience is key.
- Use Full-Sugar Soda: Diet sodas won’t work well in this recipe, as the artificial sweeteners don’t provide the same flavor or react the same way during baking.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. You could try using regular Dr Pepper or even Cherry Coke for a slightly different flavor profile. For extra decadence, consider folding in a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter. If you love a bit of texture, adding chopped pecans or walnuts is a fantastic choice. For another delicious and easy dessert, check out these amazing Chocolate Cherry Bars.
Storing Your Cherry Dr Pepper Cake
Store your cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it longer, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Note that refrigeration can sometimes dry out the cake, so it’s best enjoyed fresh. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. If you’re looking for another cake that stores well, this No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecake (coming soon) is a great make-ahead option.
FAQs About Cherry Dr Pepper Cake
It is not recommended to use diet soda for this recipe. The sugar in regular soda is crucial for the cake’s flavor and moist texture. Artificial sweeteners in diet drinks do not bake the same way and can result in a less desirable outcome.
You won’t taste a strong, direct soda flavor. Instead, the Dr Pepper adds a subtle depth, with hints of cherry and spice that enhance the chocolate flavor and make the cake uniquely delicious.
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Allow it to come back to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
A Devil’s Food or classic chocolate cake mix works best as its rich flavor pairs perfectly with the cherry and spice notes of the soda. However, any standard chocolate cake mix will work.
While the cherry buttercream is a perfect match, this cake is also delicious with a simple chocolate frosting, a cream cheese frosting, or even just a light dusting of powdered sugar.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Try
If you loved this simple and delicious cake, you’ll adore these other easy dessert recipes. For a classic combination that always wins, try these decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes (coming soon). They are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike!
The Best Cherry Dr Pepper Cake
This Cherry Dr Pepper Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a conversation starter and a guaranteed way to bring smiles to faces. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and show-stopping flavor. We hope you love making and sharing this delightful cake. If you try it, let us know what you think in the comments below and be sure to share your creation on Pinterest!
Cherry Dr Pepper Cake Recipe
Cherry Dr Pepper Cake: The Ultimate Moist & Easy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, Cherry Dr Pepper, eggs, and vegetable oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes. Gently fold in the diced maraschino cherries.
- Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Do not frost while warm.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it's light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined. Add the maraschino cherry juice and vanilla extract.
- Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until the frosting is smooth and airy. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or cream at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Garnish with whole maraschino cherries if desired.
Notes
Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
