How to make a chocolate Dr. Pepper cake?

This delicious Dr Pepper Cake is just what the doctor ordered.

Sugar, butter, chocolate, Dr. Pepper … Isn’t enough said?

Almost.

My daughter is a big Dr. Pepper fan, so I had to try my own version of the chocolate cakes I’ve seen here and there with either Coke or Dr. Pepper added. Oh boy, am I happy I did. What is this Dr Pepper Cake? It’s an absolute necessity. Rich and moist, and so simple to make, there’s no reason not to try it at least once. Just make sure you have a party to prepare it for, since having leftovers is risky.

One of the things I admire about this cake is how simple it is to make. It’s that easy. It bakes for 20-25 minutes and is ready in 10. All ingredients are combined in a saucepan and poured directly into a 13x9x2″ baking pan. Speaking of ingredients, for both the cake batter and frosting, I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder. It’s great stuff. I hope you can locate some.

The procedure is simple: in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the Dr. Pepper, oil, butter, and cocoa powder. When it reaches a simmer, stir thoroughly and remove from the heat. Combine the dry ingredients (sugar, flour, and baking soda), then add to the pot and stir to blend. You don’t have to beat it to death. It will be lumpy at first, but simply stir until mixed. In a separate small dish, softly whisk together the eggs and buttermilk, then add to the pot. Combine batter well and pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350-degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Take care not to overbake.

The icing works the same way. Combine butter, cocoa powder and milk together in a saucepan, over medium heat, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, combining after each addition until smooth. Spread the frosting over the heated cake. Yum.

While the frosting is mighty yummy, I think the cake is quite tasty without it, or maybe just with a little dusting of powdered sugar and a tall glass of milk. So, what are you holding out for? Now buy yourself a Dr. Pepper and get to work! Enjoy! Please let me know how it goes.

Dr Pepper Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For cake:

1 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 stick salted butter (8 tablespoons)
4 tbsp chocolate powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder again)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk

For frosting:

1 stick salted butter (8 tablespoons)
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
8 tablespoons milk
4 cups confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

Instructions

For cake:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and oil or coat a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Begin by combining the Dr. Pepper, oil, butter and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. When it reaches a simmer, stir thoroughly and turn off the heat.
Mix dry ingredients together (sugar, flour and baking soda), add to mixture in saucepan and mix well, by hand. Don’t overdo it. DO NOT OVERMIX.
In a separate small bowl, softly whisk together the eggs and buttermilk, then add to the saucepan and incorporate batter thoroughly by hand, being careful not to overbeat.
Pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350-degrees for approx. 23-28 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Take care not to overbake.

For frosting:

Over medium heat, mix butter, cocoa powder, and milk in a saucepan, stirring periodically until melted and smooth.
Add the powdered sugar in small amounts, mixing after each addition, until smooth.
Pour over warm cake.
Lock all the doors, close the blinds, ignore the phone, and go fetch the milk.