Simple, classic Dr Pepper Cake. Do you remember this from your childhood? I know I do! Moist, rich, deep chocolate flavor enhanced by Dr. Pepper gives it a unique flavor not found in a traditional chocolate cake.
Spring has sprung. And we are into March already. Not sure how this year is already flying by.
But with the start of the month comes another fun Secret Recipe Club recipe. That’s ALWAYS a good time.
This month I was assigned Kitchen Trial and Error written by Kate! Kate’s blog is a blast. She has so many yummy recipes and I loved reading about each one.
Her recipe index is extensive and it made it very difficult to choose just one thing to make. On our Savory short list was: Gruyere Risotto, Cilantro Lime Rice or Papardelle with Mushrooms and on the Sweet Short List was: Strawberry Rolls, Gingerbread Waffles (because Gingerbread… Waffles. No I don’t care that it’s not Christmas anymore!), Slab Pie and this decadent Dr. Pepper Cake. Ultimately we decided to go with the Dr. Pepper Cake because:
- I wanted something chocolaty. This scores big time.
- I wanted something easy, because this month found me with so much on my plate. Bingo, this fit.
- I had Dr. Pepper already in the house along with the rest of the ingredients so making it on a whim one afternoon was easy peasy. So…. Dr Pepper Cake it is.
Dr Pepper Cake
I have had and made Dr. Pepper cake dozens of times and each recipe is slightly different than the last. For some reason it always tastes a little different to me each time too, and I have no idea why.
This time all I could taste was rich, chocolate flavor and it was gooooood. It was really good. When you want a chocolate fix, this cake is perfect.
Kate, thank you for such a fun recipes and flashback. I really loved your version, not nearly as sweet as others I have had. As far as I’m concerned, I feel like that’s what made this better.
I haven’t made one in a very long time so this was a lot of fun and I remember how great they are. Also a great cake to serve to guests at BBQ’s, picnics and potlucks!
More Fantastic Cake Recipes
- Dutch Apple Coffee Cake
- Pineapple Pistachio Marshmallow Cream Cake
- Tropical Summer Cake
- Banana Split Cake
Recipe for Dr Pepper Cake
Dr Pepper Cake
Ingredients
for the cake:
- 1 ½ cup Dr. Pepper soda
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Chocolate Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- preheat oven to 350F and grease a 13×9 baking pan.
- combine the dr pepper, oil, butter, and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. bring to a simmer, mix well, and remove from heat.
- add sugar, flour, and baking soda to the pan and mix well.
- in a separate bowl, beat the eggs and buttermilk together. add a small amount of the hot batter to the egg mixture (a couple tablespoons) and mix well. then add the egg mixture to the batter and mix well.
- pour into greased pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- while the cake is cooling, make the glaze.
- combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk together in a saucepan over medium heat.
- when the butter is melted and the mixture is combined, whisk in the sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth.
- pour over the warm cake.
Nutrition
I’ve never had Dr Pepper cake – This look really rich and luscious though! #secretrecipeclub
Made this for the 1st time. It was easy to make. It was rich & moist. My husband enjoyed it, though I was a little disappointed. Didn’t have much of a Dr Pepper taste. All in all will make again for my husband.
Oh my heck! This lokos wonderful. I’ve seen this cake around Pinterest but I haven’t made it yet. I’m definitely going to now!
What a fabulous looking cake! There is something so fun about baking with soda 🙂 Happy SRC Reveal Day to you!
OH boy, you can never go wrong with chocolate. Great pick!
I have never heard of Dr. Pepper cake before, but this looks so dark and rich and chocolatey that I know I am going to have to try it. Very soon.
This cake would definitely be a winner with everyonein my house.
Haha…who knew Dr Pepper was so versatile. Great pick!
Thanks for this recipe Nicole and Brielle.
See my result here : https://imgur.com/gallery/27b8q
I used a can of authentic Dr Pepper. But was a bit disappointed that the the cake didn’t quite taste like Dr Pepper.
Is there anything I can do to intensify the Dr Pepper flavour.
I do know that authentic Dr Pepper here in The Netherlands is different from the authentic one that’s sold in the US. It has a less intensive and less bubbles.
That should be ….. It has a less intensive flavour and less bubbles.
Robert, first – we love your cake! It looks delicious!
which we use to make candy and gummies and I’m sitting here thinking that maybe a drop or two of this into the batter would definitely bring out the flavor. I am not sure the exact reason why people began using Dr. Pepper in the cake, because I will agree that we don’t think it tastes strongly of Dr. Pepper either. I believe it’s to make a rich, moist, chocolate cake with less steps. If you decide to try it with some flavoring oil, a little goes a long way, I do know that. Be sure and check back to let us know if it worked.
As far as intensifying the flavor of the Dr. Pepper, I am not sure how. We have some of this: Cola Pibb Type Flavoring Oil 0.5 oz
Again, we love your cake!!
Thanks for the kind words. You were right because the cake is completely gone. Within half an hour of posting the photos.
Thanks for the link. I’ll have to find something similar to Pibb over here. Someone in the comments also hints that it strongly tastes like Dr Pepper. 😉
(Or maybe I should reregister with Amazon.)
In fairness, I thought ours had a Dr. Pepper flavor but it wasn’t necessarily “strong”. However, if yours wasn’t much at all, maybe it is indeed the different way the soda’s are “brewed” leaving us at our end with a stronger soda, which leads to maybe more Dr. Pepper flavor in the cake. At any rate, I hope you are able to figure it out and I hope at least a little of what I said helped. I’m so glad you liked what you did make. <3
Robert, just now looking at making this cake for my granddaughter and she wanted a round double layer cake so I’m glad you posted a picture so I could see it was doable. Looks delicious by the way. Thanks Robert and Nichole
I have never heard of Dr. Pepper cake before, but this looks so dark and rich and chocolatey that I know I am going to have to try it. Very soon.
Thanks for this recipe Nicole and Brielle.
See my result here : https://imgur.com/gallery/27b8q
I used a can of authentic Dr Pepper. But was a bit disappointed that the the cake didn’t quite taste like Dr Pepper.
Is there anything I can do to intensify the Dr Pepper flavour.
I do know that authentic Dr Pepper here in The Netherlands is different from the authentic one that’s sold in the US. It has a less intensive and less bubbles.
Wow! I have to try it right now!!! Can’t wait to eat this cake! Thanks for this recipe 🙂
Does it work if the soda is flat ?
We’ve never tried it with flat soda, but I would image the flavor will still be the same. Hope you enjoy!