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
Scale
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.
