Old Fashioned Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
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This classic Dr. Pepper Sheet Cake is everything you want in a perfect chocolate cake recipe: easy, moist, rich, and flavorful. Plus, it makes enough to feed a crowd!
This timeless Dr. Pepper Sheet Cake is just what the doctor ordered. Rich and moist with a great pop of Dr. Pepper flavor and, similar to my Coca Cola Cake, the carbonation in the soda helps to create a light and airy texture in the cake creating the perfect crumb.
This is one of those classic, made-from-scratch cake recipes that grandma used to make and everything you want in a perfect chocolate cake – rich, moist and flavorful. Plus, it’s topped with a decadent chocolate ganache frosting also flavored with Dr. Pepper to add a little extra pop of Pepper.
This delicious chocolate cake is easy to make and always looks impressive. And the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so it’s the perfect bring along dessert for picnics, potlucks, or any spring or summer get-together.
Why Try This Doctor Pepper Cake Recipe
- Nostalgic – This is one of those classic, made-from-scratch cake recipes just like grandma made.
- Simple and Elegant – This delicious chocolate cake is easy to make and always looks impressive.
- Makes a lot – This chocolate cake recipe makes enough for a crowd – perfect for picnics and spring and summer gatherings.
Dr Pepper Cake Recipe Ingredients
Use fresh ingredients for the best tasting results.
For the Cake
- All purpose flour – use a trusted gluten free baking flour if required
- Sugar
- Baking soda – this is not the same as baking powder
- Dr Pepper
- Butter
- Cocoa powder
- Eggs – room temp for a better batter
For the Icing
- Butter – cubed
- Dr. Pepper soda
- Baking cocoa
- Confectioners’ sugar – aka powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract – use a quality extract for best flavor
- Pecans – optional, for topping
Equipment Needed To Make
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand or electric mixer
- Saucepan
- Large Baking pan
Substitutions & Alterations
- You can use any cola you like, but the Dr. Pepper adds such a great flavor.
- There are a plethora of regional Dr. Pepper knock-offs available. Pibb Xtra (formerly Mr. Pibb) is a great alternative!
- Use any variety of nuts you like for the topping, or omit the nuts all together.
- You can make a thicker chocolate frosting for the cake by using a chocolate buttercream.
How to Make Dr. Pepper Cake
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for complete instructions.
Step 1 – Preheat oven and add dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
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Step 2 – In a medium saucepan combine Dr. Pepper, butter and cocoa and bring just to a boil.
Step 3 – Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Add the eggs and blend.
Step 4 – Transfer batter to your prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
Step 5 – Bake as directed and let cake cool before frosting. While the cake is cooling, prepare Dr. Pepper Chocolate frosting in a saucepan.
Step 6 – Remove from the burner once the mixture starts to bubble. Pour ganache over the cake.
Step 8 – Top with chopped nuts.
Time Saving Tips & Tricks
- Take eggs out first to give them time to get to room temp for a smoother batter.
- Let cake cool while you prepare the ganache topping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze remaining cake for up to months. See my tips below.
How to Serve Dr. Pepper Cake
Serve this delicious cake on its own or with a scoop of chocolate cherry or vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
How to Store Leftover Cake
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze this cake for up to 3 months! I like to slice any remaining cake and spread the slices out on a sheet pan so they’re not touching. Then I stick the pan in the freezer before I transfer the frozen slices to a freezer-safe bag. You can also place squares of parchment or wax paper between the frozen pieces of cake to make double sure they don’t stick together.
More Classic Cake Recipes
Once you’ve mastered this cake, try this sour cream pound cake for a slightly more indulgent but still easy homemade treat.
Dr. Pepper Cake
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Sauce Pan
- 15" x 10" Pan
Ingredients
For the Dr Pepper Cake
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups Dr Pepper
- 1 cup butter sliced
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 2 eggs
For the Icing
- 1/2 cup butter cubed
- 1/3 cup Dr. Pepper
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and baking soda.
- In a small saucepan over medium high heat whisk together the Dr. Pepper, butter and cocoa.
- Bring just to a boil.
- Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Add the eggs, stirring them in quickly.
- Transfer to your prepared pan spreading it out evenly.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean about 18 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let cool completely.
- For the icing in a small saucepan over medium heat whisk together the butter, Dr. Pepper, cocoa, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Once it starts to bubble shut it off and let cool slightly before pouring over the cake.
- Sprinkle with toasted pecans.
- Slice and serve!
Nutrition
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Boy this cake was good! I was hoping for some left after our party but it was gone. So good!