Cherry-ish every bite of this Dr. Pepper delight—where soda meets cocoa in a moist match made in cake heaven. It’s the cherry on top of your day! 🍒🍰✨
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup Dr. Pepper soda, at room temperature
1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
For the Cherry Frosting (Filling and Topping):
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice (for pink color and flavor)
2 tablespoons Dr. Pepper soda
A drop of pink food coloring (optional, for more vibrant color)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration:
Chocolate shavings
Maraschino cherries
Instructions:
Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, beat the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. Stir in the Dr. Pepper soda and maraschino cherry juice.
Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be smooth and pourable.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Cherry Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Beat in the maraschino cherry juice, Dr. Pepper soda, vanilla extract, and food coloring until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency and a pink hue.
Assemble the Cake:
Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
Place the second cake layer on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake.
Decorate the top of the cake with dollops of frosting using a piping bag and tip. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
Top each dollop of frosting with a maraschino cherry.
Refrigerate the cake for about an hour to set the frosting before serving.
Enjoy your moist cherry Dr. Pepper cake adorned with sweet pink frosting, chocolate shavings, and classic maraschino cherries!
