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Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 55 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Total Time: 59 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

Dr. Pepper Cake is a moist, richly-flavored chocolate cake infused with the unique taste of Dr. Pepper soda and enhanced by a medley of warm spices and dried fruits. This decadent dessert features a boiled fruit and soda base, combined with cocoa and spices, baked to perfection, and topped with a creamy, ginger-spiced Dr. Pepper frosting made from a reduced soda syrup and confectioners’ sugar. Perfect for celebrations or any occasion to satisfy a sweet tooth with a delightful twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit & Soda Mixture

  • ½ cup prunes, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper soda

Cake Batter

  • 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (30g) cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (118g) boiling water
  • ½ cup (120g) buttermilk
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (256g) all-purpose flour
  • 1⅓ cups (267g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper soda (from fruit mixture step)

Frosting

  • 4 cups Dr. Pepper soda
  • 1½ cups (3 sticks or 339g) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2½ cups (312g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by greasing them with pan release, butter, or flour to ensure the cakes do not stick.
  2. Make Fruit and Soda Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine chopped prunes, dried cherries, and 1 cup of Dr. Pepper. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for approximately 20 minutes.
  3. Prepare Cocoa Mixture: Boil ½ cup water. In a microwave-safe dish, melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter. Stir cocoa powder into the melted butter, then whisk in the boiling water until smooth. Set aside.
  4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract until combined.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the flour, granulated sugar, nutmeg, ground ginger, and allspice.
  6. Add Cocoa and Wet Mixtures: With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cocoa and butter mixture to the dry ingredients until just combined. Then, pour in the buttermilk mixture and blend gently to combine.
  7. Add Fruit and Soda Mixture: Slowly pour the cooled fruit and Dr. Pepper mixture into the batter. Mix until fully incorporated but do not overmix.
  8. Divide and Bake Batter: Evenly divide the batter into the two prepared 8-inch pans (approximately 2½ cups batter per pan). Bake for 30 to 34 minutes or until the cakes have pulled away slightly from the edges and the tops are cracked. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
  9. Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
  10. Make Dr. Pepper Reduction: In a small saucepan, boil 4 cups of Dr. Pepper over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup, which will take around 20 to 25 minutes; alternatively, a lower temperature for about an hour is acceptable. Remove from heat and allow the reduction to cool completely.
  11. Prepare Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter. Add ground ginger, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract, and mix on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed until light and fluffy.
  12. Add Dr. Pepper Reduction to Frosting: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the cooled Dr. Pepper reduction and blend thoroughly to incorporate into the frosting.
  13. Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, spread the Dr. Pepper frosting evenly over the top of one layer, place the second cake layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • Make sure the fruit mixture cools completely before combining with other ingredients to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for better emulsification and smoother batter.
  • The Dr. Pepper reduction intensifies the soda flavor and sweetness in the frosting, so reduce it slowly to avoid burning.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 39 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Dr. Pepper cake, soda cake, chocolate cake with soda, fruit and spice cake, Dr. Pepper frosting, unique chocolate cake

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Find it online: https://harperellington.com/dr-pepper-cake-recipe/