These Dr Pepper cupcakes are so delicious and will knock the socks off all Dr. Pepper soda fans! They are so simple since they start from a chocolate cake mix and can even be made gluten-free.
Our Dr. Pepper cupcakes are topped with decadent Dr Pepper frosting that really seals the deal on this tasty dessert. Little chocolate truffles make edible bubbles and then you can even add a straw for that extra touch.
I had to make these Dr Pepper Cupcakes, or even our Dr Pepper cake, for my amazing husband who is my biggest fan. I racked my brain of something special I could do for him for his birthday and decided on these bad boys. Note: You can use this cake to make these cakesicles.
He is so considerate of my gluten-free dietary needs and has been making gluten-free pancakes for me every weekend for the last thirteen years since my celiac diagnosis…such a good guy!
Subscribe to This Vivacious Life
Receive a free e-book of Instant Pot recipes!
While I do like to bake things like our drip cake, bento cake, gluten free apple cake, gluten-free brownies, gluten-free monster cookies, etc., I actually prefer cooking instead. But I have to say that these Dr Pepper cupcakes turned out fabulous!
Plus, they were moist and delicious. Everyone at his work loved them and no one even knew they were gluten-free.
What you need to make them
You only need a few simple ingredients for these fun cupcakes! See recipe card for full list of ingredients.
Gluten-free chocolate cake mix
Chocolate cake mix is one of the dry ingredients for this recipe. Feel free to use gluten-free chocolate cake mix or regular chocolate cake mix.
Eggs
You need 3 large eggs for this recipe. Room temperature eggs work best because it allows the cupcakes to rise easier. Using cold eggs may also call for additional minutes in the oven.
Dr Pepper
For these soda cakes you need 1 cup of Dr Pepper soda. You can also swap for any other soda for different flavored cupcakes.
Butter
The cupcakes call for unsalted butter as well as the Dr Pepper frosting. I would not recommend substituting for vegetable oil or another type of fat.
How to make cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°
- In a large mixing bowl bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, 1 cup of Dr Pepper and 1/2 C melted butter together.
- Pour into 12 cupcake liners (or paper liners) in a cupcake tin (or muffin pan)
- Bake at 350 degree for 12-15 min.
- Once room temperature, frost with Dr Pepper frosting (below).
- Cut the top off of Dr Pepper cans and gently place frosted cupcakes inside
- Please note the tops of the cans are VERY sharp
Top tip: Set your fun cupcakes on a wire rack for faster cooling!
How to make Dr. Pepper frosting
- Bring 1/3 C Dr. Pepper, 1/2 C butter, 6 T cocoa to a boil
- Pour the hot mixture over the powdered sugar and mix well on medium speed if using an electric mixer.
- Add Dr Pepper to thin frosting as needed. Use paddle attachment on low speed to evenly mix.
- Frost cooled cupcakes
Top tip: Use a piping bag to frost the cupcakes perfectly! You can also add frosting to the center of the cupcake for a special surprise!
Can you make them gluten-free?
Yes you can and it is so easy! Just use a gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe.
I truly believe that a good gluten-free dessert is one in which nobody can even tell the difference…it’s just that good! My eggnog cake with eggnog cream cheese frosting is the same way…nobody knows it’s gluten-free!
That’s why my mom and I first created our cookbook, Gluten-Free on a Budget. We wanted to show everyone that gluten-free could be show stopping and something for all to enjoy. Whether you choose to make these gluten-free or not, they are sure to be a HIT!
Can you make them dairy-free?
Yes you can make these cupcakes dairy free! Swap classic cake mix for a dairy-free cake mix, butter for vegan-butter, and cream cheese for vegan cream cheese!
I used to struggle to find healthy dairy-free snacks for my kids but it’s becoming so much easier now! I see a new dairy-free swap every time I go to the grocery store!
Can I use different sodas to make these?
Yes you can use root beer, sprite, coke, etc. in these soda cakes! Follow the same directions but for light soda like sprite, I would recommend using vanilla or yellow cake mix.
I think that cherry coke cupcakes with cherry frosting on top of the cupcakes would be to die for! Cherry coke has a special place in my heart.
More great cake recipes…
If you like these, then you are sure to like our warm gluten-free apple cider cupcakes. They are a huge hit especially during the cooler fall months. I love to serve them with our crockpot apple cider for Thanksgiving.
Here are a couple of other cakes you’re guaranteed to enjoy!
How to store leftovers
You can store these Dr. Pepper cupcakes in an airtight container or pastry bag on the counter for 4-5 days. You can also freeze them for 3-4 months. If freezing, do not frost the cupcakes.
Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!
NEED MORE GOODNESS? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for great recipes, entertaining ideas and more!
Dr Pepper Cupcakes
Ingredients
For Dr Pepper cupcakes
- 1 16-21 oz. gluten-free chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper
- 1/2 cup melted butter
For Dr Pepper frosting
- 1/3 cup Dr. Pepper
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons cocoa
- 1.5 pounds powdered sugar
For chocolate truffle balls:
- 3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 8 ounces cream cheese
Instructions
For the cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Mix cake mix, eggs, 1 cup Dr Pepper and 1/2 C melted butter together
- Pour into 12 paper lined cupcake tins
- Bake at 350 degree for 12-15 min
- Once cooled, frost with Dr Pepper frosting below
- Cut the top off of Dr Pepper cans and gently place frosted cupcakes inside
- Please note the tops of the cans are VERY sharp
For the frosting
- Bring 1/3 cup Dr. Pepper, 1/2 cup butter, 6 tablespoons cocoa to a boil
- Pour the hot mixture over the powdered sugar and mix well
- Add Dr Pepper to thin frosting as needed
- Frost cooled cupcakes
For the truffle balls
- Beat cream cheese until smooth and soft in one bowl
- In a small saucepan melt the chocolate slowly
- Combine chocolate and cream cheese and mix well
- Refrigerate until firm then remove and shape into balls
- Top each cupcake with a few to look like bubbles
Video
Notes
Can you make them dairy-free?
Yes you can make these cupcakes dairy free! Swap classic cake mix for gluten-free cake mix, butter for vegan-butter, and cream cheese for vegan cream cheese!Can I use different sodas to make these?
Yes you can use root beer, sprite, coke, etc. in these soda cakes! Follow the same directions but for light soda like sprite, I would recommend using vanilla cake mix.Nutrition
Originally publishes April 19, 2018. It has since been updated with better instructions and information.
Alyssa says
For the frosting—- if I’m converting correctly, that’s about 5.5 cups of powdered sugar for the frosting. Is that correct?
Chandice says
Yes, but you can certainly use less if you prefer, just use less liquid as well so it isn’t too thin.
Sydney says
When you say “cocoa” do you mean powder or chocolate?
Chandice says
Powder 🙂
Kilee says
Such a fun idea!! This is not going to help my Dr. Pepper addiction haha
gabrielle says
can we make it without cake mix 8 ( with a made for scratch recipe)….if so how
Chandice says
You definitely can but this recipe I did was only for a gluten-free cake mix.
Jennifer says
These sound delicious but my biggest question is can you actually taste the dr pepper. I have searched for a recipe that actually has at least somewhat of a dr pepper flavor and no luck 🙁
Chandice says
You totally can!! I actually took these to my husband (non GF) at this work to surprise him and his co-workers on his birthday and they were all raving about them!! I was impressed at how Dr. Peppery 😉 they tasted!