Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake: History & Retro Recipe

Using soda in cakes is very Retro, and it works. The recipe below for Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cake is perfect for the Fall season. I've posted a Chocolate 7-Up Cake recipe, as well as a Chocolate Coca Cola Cake (with the possibility of using Pepsi for those who favor the 'other' brand).

I'm a fan of Dr Pepper, the National Drink of Texas. Headquarters is in Waco, and the Dr. Pepper Museum there tells about the creation of Dr Pepper at the Old Corner Drug Store and the growth of the soft drink industry. It also teaches you about the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company which was once located in the museum. Be sure and scroll down to the "Truth about Dr Pepper" ad from 1970.

Here's a good recipe for Chocolate Dr Pepper Cake from the Baylor University Alumni Association Cookbook: "Homecoming: Special Foods, Special Memories." The original recipe called for margarine, but I always use butter.

CHOCOLATE DR. PEPPER CAKE

Cake
1 cup butter 
1 cup Dr Pepper
4 tablespoons DARK cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional...I don't use it)
3 cups flour,  sifted
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs -- well beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda

Dr. Pepper Frosting
1/2 cup Dr Pepper
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons DARK cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar -- sifted
1/2 cup pecans -- chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Heat Dr. Pepper with butter, but do not boil. Set aside. Sift together flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa. Beat together eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and baking soda. Add hot Dr. Pepper mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in egg mixture, and blend well. Pour into greased and floured 15x10-inch sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 deg. for 25 minutes.

For frosting: About 5 minutes before cake is done, heat Dr Pepper, butter, and cocoa.
Stir in powdered sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Spread frosting on while cake is still hot.