This Dr Pepper cake recipe starts with a box of chocolate fudge cake mix, a package of instant chocolate pudding, and a full cup of Dr Pepper soda stirred right into the batter. The soda keeps the cake incredibly moist and gives it just a hint of flavor in the background, not an overpowering soda taste. Once it’s baked, you pour a rich, warm chocolate frosting right over the top so it soaks in a little as it sets. It’s an easy, semi-homemade cake that always disappears fast at a family gathering.
I made this cake for the first time when I had a few of my grandkids over and wanted to do something fun and a little different with them. I pulled a bottle of Dr Pepper out of the fridge and said, let’s make a cake. It was easy enough to do together since it starts with a box mix, and the kids could not believe Gigi was letting them pour soda straight into the cake batter. We’ve been making it together ever since.
Main Ingredients Needed For Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card.
For the Cake
- Chocolate fudge cake mix: This is your shortcut box mix. It makes this cake so easy to throw together on a random Tuesday.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: Use the small box, not the family size. It’s what keeps the cake so moist and gives it a slightly denser, richer crumb.
- Oil: It keeps the cake soft and moist instead of dry once it bakes.
- Dr Pepper soda: This is the whole point of the recipe. I always make sure mine is fresh and fizzy, not flat. The carbonation is actually what leavens the cake.
For the Frosting
- Salted butter: The base for the frosting, and it gives it that rich flavor.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Grab a good one; it’s really the only flavor doing the work in this frosting.
- Heavy cream: This is what thins the frosting to the right pourable consistency. Half and half works too if that’s what you have.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it that smooth, glossy finish once it’s whisked in.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts: Optional. I’ve used walnuts plenty of times, and half the time I only sprinkle them over one side of the cake so everybody gets what they like.
How To Make Dr Pepper Cake Recipe
This cake comes together in one bowl for the batter and one saucepan for the frosting, so cleanup is easy too.
Tip: I like to sift in my powdered sugar when making the frosting. I have found that it makes it easier to have a lump-free frosting.
Tip: Frost the cake while it’s still warm, straight out of the oven. That’s what lets the frosting soak in slightly and set into that glossy, fudgy layer instead of just sitting on top like a regular frosted cake.
Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake Variations
- No Dr Pepper in the house? Grab a Coke or a Sprite instead; it’s really the fizz doing the work here, not the specific flavor.
- Same goes for the cake mix; devil’s food or plain chocolate both work fine.
- The nuts are entirely up to you. I’ve left them off completely plenty of times, used walnuts instead of pecans, or only put them on half the cake so nobody has to pick around them.
- If you’re building out a dessert table, my Pineapple Sunshine Cake is another easy one that starts with a box mix.
Make Ahead Dr Pepper Cake for a Gathering
You can absolutely make this a day or two ahead if you’re taking it to a gathering. Once it’s baked and frosted, let it cool completely, then keep it tightly wrapped. Let it come back to room temperature before serving; the frosting sets up nicely, and the cake is just as good, maybe better, once it’s had a little time to sit.
Baking Essentials
Questions When Making Dr. Pepper Cake
The Dr Pepper flavor is subtle in this cake, not overpowering. I’ve found it mostly adds moisture and a little depth to the chocolate flavor, so it tastes like a rich, moist chocolate cake rather than a soda cake.
Yes, I’ve made this with Coke and Sprite and both work well. The carbonation is what acts as the leavening agent, so any fizzy soda gets you a similar result. Just make sure whatever soda you use is fresh and fizzy, not flat.
Devil’s food cake mix or a plain chocolate cake mix both work fine in place of chocolate fudge cake mix. The texture and rise stay about the same either way.
Yes, the pecans or walnuts are completely optional. I’ve used walnuts in place of pecans plenty of times, and I’ve even sprinkled nuts over just half the cake so everyone at the table gets what they like.
Dr Pepper Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 15.25 ounces chocolate fudge cake mix, 1 box
- 3.9 ounces instant chocolate pudding, small box
- 3 eggs, large
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup Dr Pepper soda, make sure it’s fresh and fizzy, not flat
For the Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 to 6 tablespoons heavy cream, or half and half
- 2 cups powdered sugar, confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans, optional (walnuts are also a good option)
Instructions
Prep the Pan
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate fudge cake mix, instant chocolate pudding, eggs, oil, and Dr Pepper soda. Beat with an electric mixer until the batter is smooth and well combined, with no dry streaks remaining.15.25 ounces chocolate fudge cake mix, 3.9 ounces instant chocolate pudding, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup Dr Pepper soda
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
- Bake according to the package directions. The cake may have a slight dip in the center, which is completely normal. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is still warm, prepare the frosting.
Make the Frosting
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the salted butter. A heavy-bottomed pan, like an enameled cast iron sauce pot, keeps the butter and cocoa from scorching.1/2 cup salted butter
- Whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder and heavy cream. Start with the smaller amount of cream, adding more as needed until the frosting reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 4 to 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- Whisk in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth with no lumps. Tip: I like to sift in my powdered sugar when making the frosting. I have found that it makes it easier to have a lump-free frosting.2 cups powdered sugar
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and 1/2 of the chopped pecans.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped pecans
Frost and Finish
- Pour the warm frosting evenly over the warm cake and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the rest of the chopped pecans over the top.
- Let the cake cool before serving. The frosting will continue to set as it cools.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Make Ahead: This cake can be made a day ahead for a party or gathering. Let it cool completely before covering.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, in a covered container or wrapped tightly with aluminum foil. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving.
- Substitutions: Any soda works in place of Dr Pepper, such as Coke or Sprite, the carbonation is what acts as the leavening agent. Devil’s food or plain chocolate cake mix can be used in place of chocolate fudge. Walnuts can be used in place of pecans. Nuts can be left off completely, or sprinkled over just half the cake
Tried this recipe?
Please consider Leaving a Review!Hospitality with Dr Pepper Cake
Try a Soda Pop Surprise Night the next time you have a family over with kids. Set a can of soda next to each dish on the table, Dr Pepper by the cake and my Crockpot Dr Pepper Wings, 7 Up by the 7-Up Biscuits, so the kids can see exactly what fun ingredient is hiding in each one. There’s something about watching a kid’s face when they realize the cake has actual soda in it that makes the whole night more fun. It turns an ordinary dinner into a little reveal, and that’s really what hospitality with kids looks like, making the ordinary feel a little special. Mine still talk about the day we made this dessert together. Set the table, set out the cans, and watch how much joy comes out of something this simple.
