Dr Pepper Cake

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023
This is my favorite go-to recipe for any time I have to take food anywhere. Everyone loves it. When it is baked in layers rather than in a single layer, it presentation will make people say wow. It is a crowd-pleaser! —Shannon Parum, Vernon, Texas

Ingredients

  • 1 package German chocolate cake mix (regular size)
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) cook-and-serve chocolate pudding mix
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 can (12 ounces) Dr Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 container (12 ounces) whipped cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake and pudding mixes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in Dr Pepper and vanilla.
  3. Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until top springs back when lightly touched, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
  4. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in cocoa. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy.
  5. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and side of cake with remaining frosting.
Dr Pepper Cake Tips

Can you make Dr Pepper cake in other cake pans?

Sure! You can adapt most baking recipes to use different pan sizes. In this case, a 7-in. tube pan, 13x9-in., or 11x9-in baking pans are comparable. Bake times will vary, so keep a watchful eye for cake doneness when baking.

Can you use other types of cola instead of Dr Pepper?

Absolutely! Flavored Dr Pepper varieties such as root beer and cola (or cherry cola) are good substitutions. Have leftover soda? Try one of these recipes that use soda pop.

How should you store Dr Pepper cake?

This homemade cake can last up to 1 week, stored covered in a cake keeper on the counter or in the refrigerator.

—Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 413 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 439mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.