The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Dr Pepper Cake recipe has a light, airy crumb that isn’t overly sweet. It’s a quick and easy recipe with a simple chocolate fudge frosting with Dr Pepper in it, too!
You can make 15 servings of this cake for about $0.60 per serving! That works out to be approximately $9.05 for the entire cake.
Looking for more fun cake inspiration? Try our Raspberry Poke Cake or our Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake.
Dr Pepper Cake
This cake is exactly what the Doctor ordered! Dr. Pepper Cake is everything your chocolate dreams are made of.
Our recipe is a classic cake that you may remember having at your grandmother’s house or a church potluck. It is easy to make and serves a crowd, perfect for family gatherings or a backyard BBQ.
This cake is similar to a Texas Sheet Cake but better! The addition of Dr. Pepper heightens the chocolate flavor making it simply irresistible. Do you know how you can add flavors to your favorite soda, like vanilla or cherry? That is what this cake is like. We take a classic chocolate cake and put a twist on it by adding the soda. In fact, you can use Cherry Dr. Pepper instead of regular for an additional flavor twist.
Grab a chocolate cake mix and some Dr. Pepper to make this rich and moist cake for your family, friends, or yourself because you deserve it!
Why You’ll Love Dr Pepper Cake
- Unique flavor: With its distinct blend of flavors, Dr Pepper adds a unique and unexpected twist to a traditional chocolate cake recipe.
- Moist and Tender Texture: Adding Dr Pepper to the cake batter can create a moist and tender texture. The carbonation and sweetness in the soda help keep the cake moist.
- Easy to Make: This Dr Pepper Cake recipe is simple to follow and a quick and easy dessert option.
- Versatility: Dr Pepper cake can be customized and enhanced with various toppings and frostings. You can experiment with cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, and cherries.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 15.25 oz Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix – $2.19
- 3.4 oz box chocolate instant pudding mix – $1.29
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper – $1.06
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil – $0.48
- 1/2 cup salted butter – $1.12
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar – $1.20
- 1/3 cup Dr. Pepper – $0.35
- 3 large eggs – $0.69
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – $0.54
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.13
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in June 2023.
How to Make Dr. Pepper Cake
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Also, grease a 9×13-inch cake pan and set it aside.
- Next, mix together the cake ingredients and pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the frosting. Let the frosting cool for 25 minutes.
- Finally, after removing the cake from the oven, pour the warm frosting over it and let it sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Cherry Dr. Pepper could be used for a fruity flavor twist.
- Chocolate frosting could be substituted for whipped cream or buttercream frosting.
- The cake is not overly sweet – the frosting is what makes this cake sweet.
- Nuts or sprinkles can be added to the frosting before it cools.
- This cake has a very subtle flavor from Dr. Pepper. If you want more of a flavor kick, then add ½ teaspoon of cherry extract to the cake batter.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Allow the frosted cake to sit for a minimum of thirty minutes before slicing and serving.
STORE: This cake can be stored at room temperature for up to three days.
FREEZE: Wrap the cake pan in two layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature for three to four hours before serving.
Dr Pepper Cake Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! The addition of the soda makes the cake extra moist. Try it for yourself to see!
One slice of our Dr. Pepper Sheet Cake has 403 calories.
Most often, it is best to let a cake completely cool before frosting it. So placing it in the fridge before frosting it can be helpful. However, with this recipe, it is best to pour the warm frosting over the warm cake. The frosting then melts into the cake, adding to the richness of the cake.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Have your child help pour and mix the ingredients for the cake batter.
Ages 4-5: Your little one can assist you in the kitchen by helping you measure the cake mix and frosting ingredients. They can also help put the sprinkle on the cake.
Ages 6-8: Let your child practice their kitchen skills by making the cake mix with you watching over for assistance as needed. They can also pour the frosting over the cake when ready.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
We like to buy cake mixes they go on sale. Our opinion is that when we stock up on a few to have on hand, we can make this cake whenever we crave it!
More Desserts
- Aunt Nancie’s Pistachio Pudding Cake
- Chick-Fil-A Copycat Frosted Lemonade
- Chocolate Wacky Cake
- Death by Chocolate Poke Cake
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Pineapple Cake
- No-Bake Banana Split Cake
- Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
- Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Dr. Pepper Cake
Recipe Cost 9.05 Serving Cost 0.60Equipment
- 9×13-inch pan
- mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- handheld mixer
- medium saucepan
- whisk
- rubber scraper
- Wooden mixing spoon
Ingredients
DR. PEPPER CAKE:
- 15.25 oz Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix
- 3.4 ounce box chocolate instant pudding mix
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup Dr Pepper at room temperature
CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup Dr Pepper at room temperature
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
MIX CAKE BATTER:
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together all of the cake ingredients until fully incorporated.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.
BAKE CAKE:
- Bake cake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
MAKE FROSTING:
- While the cake is baking, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in sugar, Dr Pepper, cocoa powder, and vanilla.
- Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and boil for 1 minute.
- Remove the frosting from the heat and cool for 25 minutes.
TO FINISH:
- Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and allow the frosted cake to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
- Cherry Dr. Pepper could be used for a fruity flavor twist.
- Chocolate frosting could be substituted for whipped cream or buttercream frosting.
- The cake is not overly sweet – the frosting is what makes this cake sweet.
- Nuts or sprinkles can be added to the frosting before it cools.
- This cake can be stored for up to 3 days at room temperature.
chris says
can I use diet Dr Pepper??
Jess Jankowski says
Yes!
Natalie says
Oh wow, how interesting. Dr. Pepper in a cake?! I have to make this. My kids will love this. Thanks!
Liz says
I had no idea you could use dr. pepper in a cake!! This is such a fun recipe and my dr. pepper loving nephews will love this!
BeckyHilton says
I made a cherry dr pepper cake it didn’t rise it didn’t call for eggs or oil so I’m going to try yours to see
Jess Jankowski says
You should have no problem with it not rising! Enjoy!
Kel says
Made this last night for my Dr Pepper loving son’s birthday and it is my new favorite!
Jess Jankowski says
Yay! Happy birthday to your son!! Thanks for letting us know you have a new favorite.
Rhonda Cunningham says
1/3 of a can of Dr. Pepper isn’t very much. Can you use more?
Jess Jankowski says
I have used 1/2 can, and it was fine, but I would not recommend much more than that as it may make the cake too wet.
Sandy Gotter says
Hi, if your cake mix had pudding in it, do I still put the pudding mix in .