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Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake Recipe: Rich & Easy to Make

Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake

A moist Texas-sheet-cake-style chocolate cake made with regular Dr Pepper and topped with warm chocolate Dr Pepper frosting. Optional marshmallows and pecans add classic texture and flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 2 cups (240 g) All-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400 g) Granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Regular Dr Pepper
  • 1/4 cup (about 22 g) Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) Buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups Miniature marshmallows, optional
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Chopped pecans, optional
Chocolate Dr Pepper Frosting
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) Unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Dr Pepper
  • 1/4 cup (about 22 g) Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 cups (about 450 g) Sifted powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Chopped pecans, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the butter, Dr Pepper, and cocoa powder to a saucepan. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture is hot, but do not let it boil aggressively.
  4. Pour the hot Dr Pepper mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until mostly combined.
  5. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla together in a separate bowl. Add this mixture to the batter and stir just until smooth, then fold in the marshmallows if using.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the center springs back lightly and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes.
  8. For the frosting, heat the butter, Dr Pepper, and cocoa in a saucepan until smooth. Remove from the heat and gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
  9. Spread the warm frosting over the warm cake. Sprinkle with pecans immediately if desired, then allow the cake to set before slicing.

Notes

Use regular Dr Pepper rather than Diet Dr Pepper for the most reliable moisture, tenderness, and flavor. Frost the cake while both the frosting and cake are warm so the topping spreads into a thin, glossy layer.