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If you love unique and nostalgic desserts with a splash of soda-fueled magic, then you are going to adore this Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe. This cake brings together the rich depth of chocolate with the unmistakable cherry undertone from Dr. Pepper soda and maraschino cherries, creating a moist, tender, and delightfully boozy treat that feels like a party in every bite. It’s not just a cake, it’s a celebration of flavors that’s perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without fussing too much in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most extraordinary dishes, and this recipe is no exception. Every item here is essential to achieving that perfect balance of moistness, sweetness, and flattering textures.
- Chocolate cake mix: Using only the dry mix keeps things easy while giving you a trusted base for that rich chocolate flavor.
- Dr. Pepper Cherry soda: This adds fizz and depth with cherry hints that perk up the cake in a way no water or milk can.
- Maraschino cherries: These lend bursts of sweetness and classic cherry character; remember to reserve some whole ones for garnish!
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter is key for a creamy frosting that’s smooth and luscious.
- Powdered sugar: The essential ingredient for a sweet, fluffy frosting; have extra on hand to get the right consistency.
- Chocolate shavings: These add a final touch of elegance and a bit of texture crunch—look for them at craft or specialty stores like Hobby Lobby.
How to Make Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepping Your Oven and Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking. Then, generously spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with baking spray to ensure the cake releases easily and avoids any stubborn sticking.
Step 2: Combining the Dry Cake Mix and Soda
In a standing mixer, combine the dry chocolate cake mix with the Cherry Dr. Pepper soda. This bubbly soda replaces the usual liquid, lending moisture and flavor without extra effort—just mix until everything is fully incorporated, no lumps here!
Step 3: Adding the Cherries
Take your maraschino cherries, remove the stems, and cut them in half. Gently fold these halved cherries into your batter, distributing juicy cherry pops throughout the cake.
Step 4: Baking the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Place it in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This timing ensures a moist, tender crumb every time.
Step 5: Cooling and Preparing the Frosting
Once baked, let the cake cool completely on a wire rack — frosting a warm cake can lead to melted frosting and a sticky mess. Meanwhile, prepare the cherry frosting by creaming together softened butter, powdered sugar, and cherry syrup from the jar in your standing mixer until it becomes thick and fluffy.
Step 6: Adjusting Frosting Consistency and Frosting the Cake
If your frosting feels a bit loose or thin, simply add more powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until you reach that perfect texture that holds firm but spreads easily. Then, spread the frosting evenly over your cooled cake with an angled spatula for a smooth finish.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously over the top for an irresistible chocolate crunch. Add a few reserved whole maraschino cherries to make your cake look like an edible work of art. Refrigerate for an hour to help the frosting set firmly before slicing.
How to Serve Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A few maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings are classic garnishes that enhance both flavor and presentation. For a playful twist, try fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of cocoa powder to add a hint of freshness and contrast.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla or cherry ice cream to balance out the intense cherry and chocolate flavors. A simple cup of black coffee or a light sparkling wine can also complement and elevate your dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving this cake in individual glass parfait dishes layered with whipped cream and extra cherries for a stunning, effortless presentation. Or, cut it into mini squares for a party platter where guests can grab a bite-sized delight. The Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe is versatile enough to impress in any setting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cake tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days, allowing you to enjoy it longer without drying out the cake.
Freezing
If you want to preserve it for a longer time, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layer wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Defrost completely in the fridge before frosting and serving for the best results.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating is generally unnecessary. If you prefer it slightly warmer, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing to soften the frosting a bit.
FAQs
Can I use regular Dr. Pepper instead of Cherry Dr. Pepper?
While you can use regular Dr. Pepper, the cherry-flavored soda enhances the cake’s signature cherry notes and makes the flavor pop, so for the fullest experience, stick to Cherry Dr. Pepper!
Do I have to use a boxed cake mix?
The boxed cake mix simplifies this recipe and ensures consistent results, especially when paired with the soda. If you want to make a cake from scratch, it requires careful adjustments to liquids, but the concept can certainly be experimented with.
Can I substitute chocolate shavings?
Absolutely! Grated chocolate bars, mini chocolate chips, or even a dusting of cocoa powder would work nicely if you don’t have chocolate shavings on hand.
Is this cake very sweet?
This cake is sweet but well-balanced; the cherry soda adds sweetness and subtle acidity that prevents it from being overly sugary. The frosting is rich, so feel free to adjust the powdered sugar to your taste.
How do I make the frosting without cherry juice?
If you don’t have the cherry syrup from the jar, you can add a teaspoon or two of cherry extract or a splash of cherry juice from concentrate to get a similar flavor in the frosting.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe is like discovering a delightful secret from your childhood with a grown-up twist. It’s simple to make, wonderfully flavorful, and uniquely nostalgic—a perfect go-to dessert that makes any gathering feel special. I can’t wait for you to bake it, share it, and fall in love with every luscious bite!
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Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake is a decadent chocolate dessert infused with the unique flavor of Dr. Pepper Cherry soda and studded with juicy maraschino cherries. The moist cake is topped with a creamy cherry frosting and finished with chocolate shavings and whole cherries for an elegant and indulgent treat perfect for any celebration or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (only using the dry mix)
- 1 1/2 cups Dr. Pepper Cherry soda
- 1 jar maraschino cherries with no stems (about 24 cherries reserved and the rest halved)
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar (plus up to 2 more cups if needed)
- Cherry juice from the maraschino cherries jar
- 1 container of chocolate shavings (for topping, found at Hobby Lobby)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick baking spray and set it aside.
- Mix Cake Batter: Using a standing mixer, combine the dry chocolate cake mix and Dr. Pepper Cherry soda until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Add Cherries: Cut the maraschino cherries in half and gently fold them into the cake batter.
- Pour Batter: Pour the prepared cake batter evenly into the greased baking dish.
- Bake Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Cherry Frosting: In a standing mixer, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cherry juice from the maraschino cherries until the frosting is smooth and stiff.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar (up to 2 additional cups) to achieve desired thickness.
- Frost Cake: Scoop the cherry frosting onto the cooled cake and spread evenly using an angled spatula.
- Decorate: Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously over the frosted cake and garnish with the reserved whole maraschino cherries.
- Chill: Place the decorated cake into the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the frosting to harden.
- Serve: Cut into pieces and enjoy this luscious Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake!
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Adjust the frosting sweetness by adding more powdered sugar gradually; avoid adding too much at once.
- Dr. Pepper Cherry soda imparts a unique flavor and helps keep the cake moist.
- The chocolate shavings add a delightful texture and visual appeal; substitute with shaved chocolate if unavailable.
- Refrigerating the cake before serving helps the frosting to set and makes slicing cleaner.
