Description
This delicious Dr. Pepper Cake combines the unique flavor of Dr. Pepper soda with rich chocolate and a luscious cocoa frosting. It’s a moist, flavorful chocolate cake enhanced with mini chocolate chips and topped with a creamy cocoa frosting and chopped walnuts. Perfect for gatherings or a special treat, served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 13.25 ounce German chocolate cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cup Dr Pepper
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Frosting
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- â…“ cup milk
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cup powdered sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped topping (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the German chocolate cake mix, eggs, Dr Pepper, and vegetable oil just until combined, about 1 minute to avoid overmixing.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 27-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, the cake springs back when tapped, or it reaches an internal temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the frosting.
- Prepare Frosting Base: Place the melted butter in a medium mixing bowl and slowly whisk in the milk until a creamy mixture forms. If the butter clumps, warm the bowl with a hot towel while whisking to smooth it out.
- Add Cocoa Powder: Whisk in the cocoa powder until the frosting is smooth and fully combined, warming gently if needed to avoid clumps.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, whisking continuously until smooth and completely incorporated into the frosting.
- Mix in Vanilla: Slowly add the vanilla extract and whisk until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Finish: Spread the frosting evenly over the warm cake, then sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Slice the cake and serve warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping for an extra special treat.
Notes
- Be sure not to overmix the cake batter to keep the cake tender and light.
- Use a toothpick or check the internal temperature to avoid overbaking and keep the cake moist.
- If your melted butter clumps during frosting preparation, gently warm the mixture to restore smoothness.
- Serving the cake warm with ice cream or whipped topping enhances the dessert experience.
- Walnuts can be substituted or omitted according to preference or dietary needs.
