Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake
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This Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake is rich, moist, and decadently chocolatey with a special ingredient that makes it unforgettable. Using fizzy soda right in the batter (and in the frosting) boosts moisture, lift, and flavor complexity. The result? A tender sheet cake with a glossy, fizzy-kissed chocolate frosting that’s slightly warm and wildly addicting. Perfect for parties or anytime you want cake with personality.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH DR PEPPER
- Moist and rich. Soda enhances the chocolate flavor.
- All-in-one sheet cake. No layers to fuss with!
- Warm, rich Dr Pepper frosting glazes the top.
- Great for crowds. One pan serves 15-20 people.
- Make ahead or freeze unfrosted.
Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake
Listen. We all love a cake that feels easy, right? And, oh my, how this chocolate cake with Dr Pepper delivers!
Box mix meets soda… but don’t roll your eyes. That soda isn’t a shortcut. It’s the soul of this cake.
The bubbles lift the batter so it’s light and tender (even with cocoa), and that Dr Pepper-infused frosting? Silky, shiny, slightly boozy-sweet, and it hugs every nook of the cake like it’s got feelings.
Warm slices are a must-try. Just warm a piece for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and watch people whisper, “WHAT is in this??” That’s joy. That’s Dr Pepper magic.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Chocolate Cake Mix: Super moist varieties work best with soda. Devil’s food is my top pick for the richest flavor.
- Instant Pudding Mix: Keeps the crumb tender and luscious. It’s just science! No point in making extra work for yourself.
- Dr Pepper: The carbonation lightens the texture of the cake, and the spice notes deepen the chocolate flavor. Use it in the frosting too… it helps dissolve the sugar and adds a glossy finish.
- Salted Butter: For the frosting. If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of salt for balance.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor with warm aromatics.
VARIATIONS
Texture Twist: Add chopped pecans to the batter for crunch.
Spiced Dr Pepper: Use Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper for subtle fruit notes.
Cupcake Version: Bake in lined muffin tins for 15-18 minutes.
Gooey Poke Cake: Poke holes in warm cake. Mix ½ cup soda with 1 can sweetened condensed milk and use in place of frosting.
Soda Swap: Change up the flavor with root beer, Cherry Coke, or cream soda.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Add a swirl of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to each slice.
- Top with vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of frosting.
- Garnish Dr Pepper chocolate cake with chocolate shavings for a fancy presentation.
- Serve alongside a creamy iced coffee cocktail for a dessert brunch.
CHOCOLATE DR PEPPER CAKE FAQ
Yes. Let it cool for 20-25 minutes so it thickens a bit. It should still be warm and pourable.
No. There’s less sugar in diet soda, which will impact moisture, texture, and flavor in this Dr Pepper chocolate cake recipe.
Check your oven temperature and be careful not to overbake. Soda adds lift that can bake out if it’s cooked for too long.
Yes, with a few adjustments. Grease the bundt pan well and increase the baking time by about 5 minutes, using the same toothpick test to check doneness.
Allow the chocolate Dr Pepper cake to cool slightly, then invert onto a serving plate. Drizzle the frosting over the ridges of the cake while warm.
This Dr Pepper chocolate cake recipe works because of how soda behaves in baking… and that’s real kitchen science, not kitchen luck.
The cola’s carbonation introduces tiny air bubbles that help leaven the batter, making it lighter and more tender than a straight cake mix alone.
The sugar and flavor compounds in the soda also integrate with the cocoa and pudding mix, deepening the chocolate notes without extra steps.
For the frosting, warming the soda dissolves the powdered sugar more fully than milk alone, and heat helps develop a glossy emulsion.
This is why the topping pours and sets with a satin sheen instead of cracking like a dry glaze.
It’s about temperature, sugar chemistry, and embracing fizzy wonder. This is not a gimmick… it’s physics + flavor.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Don’t skip the pudding mix. It’s key to an extra moist crumb.
- Grease your pan well. The soda batter can cling to the sides.
- Warm frosting spreads easier and shines better.
- Let cake cool slightly before frosting so the glaze doesn’t run off.
- Serve slightly warm for ultimate indulgence.
- Keep at room temp if you’ll be eating it soon. Otherwise, refrigerate for longer.
TOOLS NEEDED
- 9×13 Baking Pan: Classic crowd-pleaser shape.
- Mixing Bowls: One for the batter, one for whisked frosting.
- Whisk or Spoon: For the smoothest batter and glaze.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons: Accuracy is important for the science to work.
- Saucepan: To heat and bloom your frosting.
- Toothpick: For testing if Dr Pepper chocolate cake is done.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Box mix + pudding + Dr Pepper make a tender cake.
- Dr Pepper frosting is glossy, warm, and rich.
- Soda carbonation = lift & flavor.
- Best served warm or room temp.
- Feed a crowd easily.
Chocolate Dr Pepper Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 box chocolate instant pudding mix, (3.4 ounces)
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup Dr Pepper
Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter, (1 stick)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup Dr Pepper
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- PREPARE OVEN: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
- MIX BATTER: In a large mixing bowl, add 1 box chocolate cake mix, 1 box chocolate instant pudding mix, 3 large eggs, ¾ cup vegetable oil, and 1 cup Dr Pepper. Mix until smooth and fully combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- BAKE: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- MAKE FROSTING: While the cake bakes, add ½ cup salted butter to a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat. Whisk in 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, ⅓ cup Dr Pepper, ½ cup cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until smooth.
- BOIL: Continue whisking and bring the frosting to a gentle boil. Reduce heat slightly and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until glossy and slightly thickened.
- COOL FROSTING: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the frosting cool for 20 to 25 minutes. It should be warm but pourable.
- FROST CAKE: Pour the warm frosting evenly over the warm cake. Spread gently if needed. Let the cake rest for at least 30 minutes, until the frosting sets before slicing.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I have made this using just Dr. Pepper. Can I use Cherry Dr. Pepper, or is there something in the soda that would not be the same as in the original?
Hi Barbara!
Not sure myself, if you do try it let me know how it goes!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn