The Ultimate 7 Up Cake Recipe: A Moist, Fluffy Dessert You'll Make Again and Again

Have you ever craved a cake that's incredibly moist, perfectly sweet, and ridiculously easy to make? This 7 up cake recipe is exactly what you need. Making a homemade 7 up cake from scratch brings you a tender, flavorful dessert with just the right amount of sweetness and a subtle citrus hint from the soda. Unlike store-bought cakes loaded with preservatives, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and delivers bakery-quality results every time.

Ingredients List

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
    • ½ cup vegetable shortening
    • 5 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1 cup 7 Up soda, room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2-3 tablespoons 7 Up soda
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Optional: lemon zest for garnish

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 75 minutes

Total time: 90 minutes

This timeline makes it perfect for weekend baking or preparing ahead for special occasions. The hands-on work is minimal, and most of the time is passive baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt or tube pan thoroughly, making sure to reach all crevices. This prevents sticking and ensures easy release after baking.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Shortening, and Sugar In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, shortening, and sugar together on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until light and fluffy. This aeration is crucial for the cake's tender texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs One at a Time Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This prevents the batter from breaking and ensures even incorporation. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture alternately with the 7 Up soda, beginning and ending with flour. Mix on low speed just until combined—overmixing creates a dense cake.

Step 5: Add Extracts Stir in vanilla and lemon extracts gently. These enhance the citrus notes from the soda and add depth to the flavor profile of your 7 up cake recipe.

Step 6: Bake Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 70-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden and pulling slightly from the pan sides.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with 7 Up and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 485
    • Protein: 5g
    • Carbohydrates: 68g
    • Fat: 22g
    • Fiber: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 2% DV
    • Iron: 8% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Swaps: For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce. Use diet 7 Up to reduce sugar content slightly. For gluten-free needs, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Flavor Variations: Try Sprite or Sierra Mist instead of 7 Up. Add orange extract for a citrus twist, or fold in fresh blueberries for a fruity burst.

Meal Prep: This cake stays moist for days, making it ideal for advance preparation. Bake it two days before serving for even better flavor development.

Beginner Tips: Always bring ingredients to room temperature for better emulsification. Don't skip greasing every nook of your bundt pan—use a pastry brush for precision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Batter: Mix just until ingredients combine. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough, dense cake instead of the tender crumb you want in your 7 up cake from scratch.

Using Cold Ingredients: Cold eggs and butter don't blend well, creating a lumpy batter. Let everything sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting.

Opening the Oven Door Too Early: Resist peeking before 60 minutes. Temperature fluctuations cause the cake to sink in the middle.

Not Greasing the Pan Properly: Missing spots in bundt pans lead to stuck cake pieces. Use both butter and flour, or try baking spray with flour.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your finished 7 up cake recipe covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week—the cake actually becomes more flavorful after a day or two.

To freeze this 7 up cake from scratch, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2 hours. The glaze may sweat slightly when thawing, but the texture remains perfectly moist. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the cake rubbery—patience yields the best results when bringing frozen slices back to their original glory.