Description
Dr. Pepper cake blends nostalgic Southern charm with rich chocolate flavors. Soda-infused batter creates a moist, deeply satisfying dessert that connects generations of home bakers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) Dr. Pepper soda (not diet)
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Dr. Pepper soda
- ¼ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray or butter, ensuring complete surface coverage to prevent adhesion.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients until uniformly blended and lump-free, creating a smooth base for the cake.
- Wet Ingredient Harmonization: In a separate bowl, cream wet ingredients, generating a silky, consistent mixture that will provide moisture and richness to the cake.
- Batter Integration: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, maintaining a light texture and avoiding overmixing to preserve the cake’s delicate structure.
- Soda Infusion: Carefully incorporate Dr. Pepper into the batter, stirring to distribute the liquid evenly and create a unique flavor profile.
- Pan Transformation: Pour batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and eliminate potential air pockets by gently tapping the pan.
- Thermal Transformation: Position the pan in the center of a preheated oven, allowing even heat distribution to ensure consistent baking.
- Doneness Assessment: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake’s center comes out clean, signaling perfect internal cooking and moisture balance.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan before adorning with frosting or decorative elements, preserving its tender crumb and optimal texture.
Notes
- Select Soda Carefully: Choose full-flavor Dr. Pepper for authentic taste, avoiding diet versions which might alter cake’s richness and moisture profile.
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently and minimally to maintain cake’s light, fluffy texture and prevent developing tough, dense crumb structure.
- Control Moisture Balance: Watch baking time closely to ensure cake remains moist but not soggy, using toothpick test as precise doneness indicator.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding complementary spices like cinnamon or vanilla extract to amplify Dr. Pepper’s complex caramel and spice undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg