If you’re looking for a dessert that’s bursting with nostalgia, rich flavor, and just the right amount of quirky charm, this Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe is an absolute winner. Combining the deep chocolatey goodness of cake mix with the surprising fizz and sweetness from Dr. Pepper Cherry soda, plus juicy maraschino cherries, this cake offers a moist, tender crumb and a luscious cherry frosting that feels like a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles and requests for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a perfectly balanced cake with a rich chocolate base, cherry accents, and creamy frosting. Each element plays an essential role, making this recipe both delicious and approachable.
- Chocolate cake mix: The dry mix provides a reliable, easy base full of classic chocolate flavor and structure.
- Dr. Pepper Cherry: Adds a unique fizz and subtle fruity sweetness that makes the cake extra moist and flavorful.
- Maraschino cherries: These give bursts of bright cherry flavor scattered throughout the cake.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter enriches the frosting with a creamy, luxurious texture.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for sweetening and thickening the frosting to the perfect consistency.
- Chocolate shavings: A decorative and tasty topping that adds texture and chocolate intensity on top of the frosting.
How to Make Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to get the oven to the right temperature before the batter goes in to ensure even baking. Meanwhile, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray to create a non-stick surface that’ll help your cake slide right out later.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a standing mixer, combine the chocolate cake mix with 1 1/2 cups of Dr. Pepper Cherry soda. The soda isn’t just for flavor; it introduces bubbles that help the cake stay light and moist. Mix everything together until smooth and well incorporated.
Step 3: Add Cherries to the Batter
Cut the maraschino cherries in half to evenly distribute their cherry goodness throughout the cake. Gently fold the halved cherries into the batter, making sure they don’t get squished but are well mixed.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth the surface gently. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This is your sign that the cake is perfectly baked — moist but not underdone.
Step 5: Cool and Prepare Frosting
Let the cake cool completely outside the oven. While it cools, make the frosting by creaming together softened butter, powdered sugar, and some cherry juice from the maraschino jar in your mixer. Keep mixing until you get a stiff, smooth frosting. If it feels thin, just add more powdered sugar until it’s thick enough to spread.
Step 6: Frost and Decorate
Once the cake is cool, scoop the frosting on top and smooth it out evenly with an angled spatula. Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously on top to create a delightful texture contrast, and add some of those reserved whole cherries for extra charm and color. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the frosting to set perfectly before serving.
How to Serve Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A few fresh maraschino cherries on top add a pop of color, while the chocolate shavings bring some crunch. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a festive, snowy look if you want to make your cake extra pretty before serving.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with simple accompaniments like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the flavor profile. A cup of rich black coffee or cherry-flavored tea complements the red cherry notes perfectly for a cozy treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual slices topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate or a spoonful of cherry compote. You can also layer slices with whipped cream and fresh cherries for a stunning trifle presentation that everyone will love at parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover cake in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Thanks to the frosting and the cherry soda in the batter, the cake stays moist and flavorful for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen cake slices keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
If you prefer your cake a little warm, reheat slices briefly in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This softens the cake and frosting just enough to enhance the flavors without melting the frosting completely.
FAQs
Can I use regular Dr. Pepper instead of the cherry flavor?
Yes, but the cherry flavor adds a fruity sweetness that complements the cake perfectly. Using regular Dr. Pepper will still work but the cherry notes will be less pronounced.
Why do you use soda instead of water or milk in the cake mix?
The soda adds carbonation that helps make the cake fluffier and adds a subtle flavor twist, especially with the Cherry Dr. Pepper variety enhancing the overall taste.
Can I substitute the maraschino cherries with fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries can be used but make sure to pit and chop them finely. Maraschino cherries are sweeter and softer, so they blend better into the batter and the frosting.
What should I do if my frosting is too runny?
Simply add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, and continue mixing until it thickens to your desired consistency for easy spreading.
Is this recipe suitable for a party or large gathering?
Absolutely! This Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe makes 16 servings, perfect for sharing and guaranteed to impress your guests with its unique and irresistible flavor.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe, it’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe collection. It’s fun, surprisingly simple, and has a playful flavor combo you just don’t find every day. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into this cherry-chocolate delight — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
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 delightful chocolate dessert combining the sweet flavors of Dr. Pepper soda, maraschino cherries, and rich chocolate frosting topped with chocolate shavings. Perfectly moist and topped with a creamy cherry-infused frosting, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare and bake in under an hour.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (dry mix only)
- 1 1/2 cups Dr. Pepper Cherry soda
- 1 jar maraschino cherries with no stems (set aside 24 cherries, then cut the rest in half)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar (plus up to 2 additional cups if needed)
- Juice from the jar of maraschino cherries
- 1 container chocolate shavings (available at specialty stores like Hobby Lobby)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by spraying it with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a standing mixer, combine the dry chocolate cake mix with 1 1/2 cups of Dr. Pepper Cherry soda until thoroughly blended. Then fold in the halved maraschino cherries evenly into the batter.
- Bake Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 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 at room temperature before frosting to prevent melting the icing.
- Prepare Cherry Frosting: In the standing mixer, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cherry juice from the jar until the mixture is thick and stiff. If the frosting is too thin, gradually add up to 2 cups more powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the cherry frosting evenly over the cooled cake using an angled spatula for a smooth finish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously over the frosted cake and arrange a few reserved whole maraschino cherries on top for decoration.
- Chill: Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the frosting to set and harden before slicing and serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from fridge, cut into 16 servings, and enjoy this luscious cherry chocolate creation.
Notes
- Ensure cake is fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting and uneven texture.
- Adjust powdered sugar quantity in frosting for personal preference on sweetness and thickness.
- Use fresh chocolate shavings for the best presentation and taste; alternatively, finely chop good quality chocolate.
- Refrigerating the cake helps the frosting firm up and enhances flavors.
- This cake tastes great served slightly chilled or at room temperature.
