7Up Cake

7Up Cake with Cake Mix is a blast from the past! It’s made with a box of cake mix and topped with a decadent pineapple coconut frosting. You will not want to share this old fashioned cake!

slice of 7up cake topped with coconut pineapple frosting next to a can of 7up.

This moist and tender 7Up Cake with Cake Mix is such a treat!

You may have seen it at a church potluck, or maybe a holiday dinner. Similar to Jello Poke Cake, versions of this cake have been printed in recipe books and handed down in families for generations, for good reason!

The 7Up lends a light citrus flavor to the cake, along with some lift to the batter, so the cake ends up light and tender.

The base of the recipe is a yellow cake mix. Cake mix is such an easy way to get a head start on cake baking without getting out a bunch of ingredients. My Pistachio Cake with Cake Mix and my Sock It To Me Cake with Cake Mix are two other great examples of how cake mix can simplify cake baking.

But back to the 7Up Cake! Many versions of this cake are made into a bundt cake, but this one creates a 13×9-inch cake. We’ll top the cake with a cooked pineapple and coconut frosting, which perfectly complement the citrus flavor of the cake.

Similar to my Hawaiian Cake or Coconut Poke Cake, the coconut is a small addition that turns the dessert into something really special.

It’s a great celebration cake—for birthdays, holidays, or “just because”!

This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Gift of Hospitality at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these link.

Jump to:
whole 7up cake in a white baking dish, topped with a yellow pineapple frosting, next to a can of 7up soda.

7Up cake origin

7Up Cake was likely invented in the 1950s. The novelty of using soda pop as a leavening agent quickly caught on with bakers, and the likes of 7Up Cake, Coca Cola Cake, and Dr. Pepper Cake became popular, especially in the Southern U.S.

I love a good family recipe story, and you can read one about 7Up Cake on Food52’s “Home is Where the 7Up Cake Is“.

This particular recipe relies on cake mix as the base of the recipe—it’s a shortcut that saves time so we can start eating faster! 🙂

Tips for making 7Up cake with cake mix

  • Use a BIG bowl for mixing the batter—the 7Up adds lots of bubbles to the batter!
  • Make sure you use instant vanilla pudding (not cook and serve).
  • When making the frosting, you’ll need to whisk the eggs in quickly so that they don’t scramble. Whisk them in one at a time to be safe.
  • The coconut frosting will be pourable when warm, but it will firm up as it cools to room temperature.

Ingredients

7up, cake mix, eggs, butter, and other cake ingredients on a white table.
  • We’ll jazz up a boxed yellow cake mix for this recipe, using eggs, oil, instant vanilla pudding, and of course, 7-Up. The instant vanilla pudding helps keep the cake very moist and tender.
  • The old fashioned frosting is made of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, plus shredded coconut and crushed pineapple.

How to make 7Up Cake with cake mix

Pour a yellow cake mix in a large bowl, along with the instant vanilla pudding, eggs, and oil. Pour in the 7Up.

7up soda being poured into a glass bowl filled with cake mix and eggs.

It’ll be very bubbly—that’s ok! Use a whisk to combine all of the ingredients into a smooth batter.

yellow cake batter in a glass bowl with a whisk.

Pour the mixture into a 13×9-inch pan, and bake for 40–45 minutes at 350°F. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should pull out cleanly when it’s done.

Let the cake cool completely.

Next, make the frosting: combine the flour, sugar, and crushed pineapple + its juices in a large saucepan.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then whisk in the eggs and butter (whisk quickly so the eggs don’t scramble!).

Cook for 2–3 minutes longer, or until thickened. Then, stir in the shredded coconut.

yellow frosting with pineapple and coconut in a large saucepan with a spatula.

Pour the hot frosting over the cake, then let cool completely. The frosting will continue to set up as it cools.

Cut into slices and serve! I personally love serving 7Up Cake straight from the refrigerator, but you can also serve it room temperature.

Can I make 7Up Cake in advance?

You can make 7Up Cake up to 2 days in advance of serving. Store it, tightly covered, at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

slice of 7up cake on a white plate, next to a can of 7up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make 7Up Cake with Sprite?

Yes—any lemon lime soda can be used in place of the 7Up.

How do I store 7Up Cake?

Store 7Up Cake either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing. It will last for 3–4 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze 7Up Cake?

7Up Cake can be frozen with or without the frosting. Cover it tightly and freeze for up to one month for best results. It can be frozen longer, but due due to the high moisture content of the cake, it will take on ice crystals sooner than other cakes.

Frosting variation

Want a simple glaze for the top? Mix together one-half cup of powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of 7Up until a pourable glaze forms. Pour that over the cake in lieu of the frosting.

whole 7up cake topped with yellow coconut frosting in a white baking dish next to a can of 7up.

More old fashioned cakes

  • Old Fashioned Wacky Cake
  • Easy Punch Bowl Cake
  • Pistachio Cake with Pudding Mix
  • Sock It To Me Cake
  • Homemade Hawaiian Cake

Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

📖 Recipe

slice of 7up cake topped with a coconut frosting next to a can of 7up.

7Up Cake with Cake Mix

Published by Kate
This moist and tender vintage cake is made with 7Up, and topped with a pineapple coconut frosting.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 servings
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the cake:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 (12 oz) can 7Up

For the frosting:

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Instructions
 

For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish.
  • Place the cake mix, instant pudding, 4 eggs, vegetable oil, and 7Up in a large bowl. Whisk until ingredients are combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

For the frosting:

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour, sugar, and pineapple + its juices. Place over medium heat.
  • Bring to a simmer, then add the eggs and melted butter, whisking constantly so the eggs don’t scramble. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in the coconut.
  • Pour the frosting over the still-warm cake, and let cool completely before slicing. The frosting will firm up as it cools.

Notes

You can substitute Sprite for the 7Up, if you’d like. 
Want a simple glaze instead of the frosting? Stir together one-half cup powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of 7Up. Pour that over the cake instead of the frosting. 
Leftovers: store any remaining 7Up cake in the refrigerator or at room temperature, tightly covered. 

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 282mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 2gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 303IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 7up cake
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating