Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake is a playful, soda-infused twist on classic chocolate cake that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. This dessert is nostalgic, bold, and bursting with cherry charm.
The combination of fizzy Dr. Pepper Cherry and rich chocolate cake mix creates an incredibly moist base, while the cherry frosting and chocolate shavings take it over the top with sweetness and texture.
Sweet Simplicity: Key Ingredients for Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake
- Chocolate cake mix – The ultimate shortcut, this gives the cake its deep, cocoa-rich flavor without extra fuss.
- Dr. Pepper Cherry soda – The key twist, this carbonated soda adds sweetness, moisture, and a hint of cherry-vanilla spice.
- Maraschino cherries – Soft, candied cherries folded into the batter for chewy bites and a burst of color in every slice.
- Unsalted butter – Forms the base of the frosting, adding creamy richness and balance to the sugary topping.
- Powdered sugar – Essential for a fluffy, stable frosting with that classic bakery sweetness.
- Chocolate shavings – A textural contrast and visual pop, these delicate curls make the final presentation unforgettable.
Let’s Get Baking: How to Make Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake
Preheat your oven and grab a 9×13-inch pan—this cake comes together fast! Mix the dry cake mix with Dr. Pepper Cherry until smooth, then fold in halved maraschino cherries.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Once cooled, top with cherry-kissed buttercream and a flurry of chocolate shavings. Finish it off with a few whole cherries for a retro dessert vibe.
Tips, Twists & Sweet Secrets
For a deeper cherry punch, add a touch of cherry extract to the batter or frosting. If you’re serving this at a party, consider turning the recipe into cupcakes for easy grab-and-go treats.
To intensify the chocolate, stir in mini chocolate chips before baking. Prefer a lighter frosting? Whip in a bit of cream cheese for added tang and softness.
This cake is wonderfully forgiving—if the frosting feels too soft, chill it briefly before spreading. Want to go big? Top with whipped cream or drizzle with cherry syrup just before serving.
Chill Out: How to Store Leftover Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake
Keep your Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. The cherry frosting holds up beautifully for up to 4 days when chilled.
To freeze, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and foil, then store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and enjoy chilled or let come to room temperature for best texture.
Warm slices briefly in the microwave for a gooey, just-baked feel—ideal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake
Ingredients
- 1 container chocolate shavings available at Hobby Lobby
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar plus up to 2 additional cups if needed
- 1 ½ cups Cherry Dr. Pepper soda
- 1 jar maraschino cherries stems removed (reserve 24 whole cherries)
- 1 box chocolate cake mix dry mix only
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry chocolate cake mix with the Cherry Dr. Pepper soda and beat until a smooth batter forms.
- Halve the maraschino cherries (except the 24 reserved ones) and gently fold them into the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan before proceeding to frost.
Cherry Frosting:
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with 3 cups of powdered sugar and a few spoonfuls of cherry juice from the maraschino jar until a stiff frosting is achieved.
- If the consistency is too loose, incorporate up to 2 additional cups of powdered sugar until it holds its shape.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake with an angled spatula, creating an even layer.
- Garnish the top with chocolate shavings and the reserved whole cherries for an elegant finish.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to set the frosting before slicing and serving.
