This Dr Pepper cake is a fun and retro recipe that always gets rave reviews. It’s made with a simple chocolate cake mix, Dr Pepper soda, and a handful of maraschino cherries for an extra pop of flavor. Topped with a warm boiled chocolate icing, this cake is fudgy, rich, and a little nostalgic.
If you love easy desserts made with cake mix, you’ll also enjoy Easy Brookie Bars with Brownie Mix and Cookie Dough and this cherry and chocolate flavored Black Forest Dump Cake.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Dr Pepper cake recipe uses chocolate cake mix for a rich, decadent flavor that pairs perfectly with the soda.
The addition of chopped maraschino cherries and cherry juice makes it taste like cherry Dr Pepper in cake form.
The old-fashioned boiled chocolate icing is easy to make and creates a glossy fudge-like layer that sets right on top of the cake.
It’s a simple retro dessert that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or just because.
Ingredients
For the cake
1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix – any brand works well.
1 cup Dr Pepper soda – regular, not diet.
3 large eggs – room temperature is best.
½ cup vegetable oil – canola oil is fine too.
½ cup maraschino cherries, chopped – save a few whole cherries for garnish.
2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice – straight from the jar.
For the boiled icing
½ cup unsalted butter – adds richness.
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder – adds a deep chocolate flavor to the icing.
½ cup Dr Pepper soda – helps carry the cherry flavor through.
3 ½ cups powdered sugar – sifted for a smooth texture.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – rounds out the flavor.
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, Dr Pepper, eggs, and oil. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
Step 3
Fold in chopped cherries and cherry juice.
Step 4
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Step 5
Cool the cake (in the baking dish) on a wire rack for 10 minutes while you prepare the icing.
Step 6 – Make the boiled icing
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in cocoa powder and Dr Pepper. Bring the mixture just to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Step 7
Remove from heat. Immediately whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
Step 8
Pour the warm icing evenly over the slightly cooled cake. It will set into a fudgy layer as it cools. Garnish with chocolate sprinkles if desired.
Tip - How to Spread Boiled Icing
Boiled icing is very different from buttercream. It’s a pour-over icing, not a spread-on frosting. Here’s the trick:
- As soon as you remove the pan from the heat, whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. The icing should be smooth and pourable.
- Immediately pour it over the cake while the cake is still warm (not hot).
- Tilt the pan slightly to help the icing flow evenly across the surface. You can use a spatula to nudge it into the corners gently, but don’t try to spread it like buttercream—it sets fast and will lose its glossy finish if overworked.
- Within 10–15 minutes, the icing firms up into a shiny layer.
FAQs
It replaces the water in the cake mix, adding subtle cherry and spice flavors while keeping the cake moist.
No, diet soda doesn’t bake the same way. Use regular Dr Pepper for best results.
Yes! The cake stays fresh for 2–3 days covered at room temperature. The icing keeps its texture well.
Yes, but they add great flavor. You can leave them out if you prefer a straight Dr Pepper chocolate cake.
Printable Recipe
Dr Pepper Cake with Chocolate Cherry Icing
Ingredients
For the Dr Pepper Cake
- 1 Packaage Chocolate Cake Mix I used Betty Crocker but any brand will work.
- 1 Cup Dr. Pepper Soda regular, not diet
- 3 Large Eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil other neutral oils like canola work
- ½ cup Maraschino Cherries chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Maraschino Cherry juice from the maraschino cherry jar. If you don't have any, just substitute water.
For the Boiled Icing
- ½ Cup butter unsalted
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ Cup Dr Pepper Soda
- 3½ Cups Powdered Sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Optional Chocolate Sprinkles for garnish
- Optional Maraschino cherries for colorful garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, Dr Pepper, eggs, and oil. Beat on medium speed for a couple of minutes until smooth.
- Fold in chopped cherries and cherry juice.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes while you prepare the icing.
For the Boiled Icing
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in cocoa powder and Dr Pepper. Bring mixture just to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat. Immediately whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the warm icing evenly over the slightly cooled cake. It will set into a fudgy layer as it cools. Garnish with chocolate sprinkles and whole cherries if desired.
Notes
- As soon as you remove the pan from the heat, whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. The icing should be smooth and pourable.
- Immediately pour it over the cake while the cake is still warm (not hot).
- Tilt the pan slightly to help the icing flow evenly across the surface. You can use a spatula to nudge it into the corners gently, but don’t try to spread it like buttercream—it sets fast and will lose its glossy finish if overworked.
- Within 10–15 minutes, the icing firms up into a shiny layer.
How to Store
Once cooled, cover the Dr Pepper Cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate the cake instead - it will keep for about 5 days. Just bring it to room temperature before serving so the icing softens again and the flavor shines through. For longer storage, either:
1. Cover the Dr Pepper Cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container
2. Cut into servings and wrap each serving in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.
Nutrition (estimate)
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