Description
Chocolate cherry Dr Pepper cake delivers a nostalgic Southern dessert with rich layers of flavor and unexpected soda-infused moisture. Deep chocolate notes and sweet cherry accents create an irresistible celebration of classic American baking you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Dr Pepper
- 1 cup maraschino cherries
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp instant coffee powder (optional)
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2–3 tbsp Dr Pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and instant coffee powder in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until slightly frothy, then incorporate vegetable oil, sour cream, vanilla extract, and Dr Pepper, blending until completely integrated.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Carefully chop maraschino cherries and fold half into the batter, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it uniformly with a spatula and ensuring an even surface.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean with minimal crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour at room temperature.
- For the frosting, cream softened butter until light and fluffy, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Slowly add Dr Pepper to achieve desired frosting consistency, mixing until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake, then garnish with remaining chopped maraschino cherries.
- Slice and serve, enjoying the rich, decadent chocolate and cherry-infused dessert.
Notes
- Swap Dr Pepper with cola or root beer for different flavor profiles if unavailable.
- Ensure all ingredients are room temperature to guarantee smooth batter integration.
- Drain maraschino cherries completely to prevent excess moisture affecting cake texture.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper, richer chocolate flavor and smoother consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg