Description
Sweet Southern comfort meets bold flavor in this dr. pepper cake, blending rich chocolate depths with fizzy cola magic. Moist layers drizzled with tangy glaze promise a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) Dr. Pepper soda (not diet)
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Frosting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Dr. Pepper soda
- ¼ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch pan with a fine layer of cooking spray or butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Combine the cake’s dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking them together until uniformly blended and free of lumps.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the wet ingredients, incorporating each component smoothly and creating a silky, consistent mixture.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to maintain a light, airy texture without overmixing.
- Pour the Dr. Pepper into the batter, stirring carefully to distribute the soda evenly and create a rich, moist foundation for the cake.
- Transfer the liquid batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and tap the pan gently to release any potential air bubbles.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven, positioning it in the center for balanced heat distribution.
- Bake until a slender toothpick inserted into the cake’s center emerges clean, indicating the cake has reached perfect doneness.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely within the pan before applying frosting or decorative toppings.
Notes
- Choose a dark, non-stick baking pan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent cake edges from burning.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, creating a more consistent cake texture with fewer lumps.
- For a richer flavor, swap regular Dr. Pepper with a craft or specialty version that has deeper caramel or spice notes.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from sliding or melting off the warm surface.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg