The Best 7-Up Cake (+Video)
This 7-Up Cake is a moist lemon cake that is made with a jazzed up boxed cake mix and topped with a delicious homemade lemon icing drizzle!
A DELICIOUS LEMON-LIME CAKE!
Recently I shared my recipe for Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake and then I realized, I couldn’t share the Coca-Cola Cake without also sharing the 7-Up Cake. The 7-Up Cake is similar to the Coke Cake in that you don’t really taste the soda as a separate ingredient. It adds flavor and makes it super moist. You could eat this bundt cake without any icing, it is just so incredibly flavorful and moist but I think the slightly tart icing gives the sweet cake a nice pop of flavor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes. I would just use the recommended baking times for a 9×13-inch baking dish that is shown on the back of the cake mix box.
Bundt pans need to be greased really well. A lot of people recommend greasing the pan the coating it in flour. While that works well, I find it easiest to use a nonstick baking spray that has flour in it (like Baker’s Joy – see my image below from another recipe.) I just make sure to spray it really well into all the nooks and crannies and it works beautifully. Pam also makes a similar version.
You can store it in a covered container on the counter for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes! Just make sure you wrap it very well to protect against freezer burn and it will freeze for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- yellow cake mix – you could also use a lemon cake mix, butter cake mix or even a French vanilla cake mix if you prefer.
- instant lemon pudding – you want to look for the instant pudding – you do not need to use the Jell-O brand, it can be a store brand instant pudding.
- 7 Up – you can use diet soda (although that would not be my top choice) or maybe even try Sprite or Mountain Dew with this – I don’t think Ginger Ale would be a good flavor for this.
- eggs – try to make sure your eggs are at room temperature for baked goods – it helps to produce a lighter, fluffier cake.
- vegetable oil – you can substitute for the same amount of melted butter but this will produce a more dense and heavier cake.
- lemon juice – I always prefer fresh lemon juice – the bottled stuff just tastes fake and I personally don’t like it but if you love it then go for it.
HOW TO MAKE 7UP CAKE:
Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray a 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick baking spray that has flour in it. In a medium bowl, combine all the cake ingredients (cake mix, instant lemon pudding, eggs, oil and 7up). Mix until thoroughly combined.
Pour batter into bundt pan.
Bake for about 35-45 minutes (until inserted toothpick or fork comes out clean). Allow to cool completely, then remove from bundt pan and place on a cake plate.
Start preparing icing. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest (if using). Add milk in slowly until you’ve reached desired consistency. I personally like it a bit on the thicker side.
Pour icing over cake. Allow it to sit for a bit to set up (it won’t harden up fully like a frosting).
Then slice and serve.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: January 2012
Updated & republished: May 2023
The Best 7-Up Cake (+Video)
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 4 ounce small box instant lemon pudding
- ¾ cup 7-Up soda (or similar lemon lime soda)
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
For the frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- lemon zest from one lemon (optional)
- 1-2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray (that has flour in it) or grease and flour bundt pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine all the cake ingredients (cake mix, pudding, 7up, eggs and oil).
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Pour batter into bundt pan.
- Bake for about 35-45 minutes (until inserted toothpick or fork comes out clean). Allow to cool completely, then remove from bundt pan and place on a cake plate.
- Start preparing icing. In a small bowl, combine sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest (if using).
- Add milk in slowly until you've reached desired consistency. I personally like it a bit on the thicker side.
- Allow it to sit for a bit to set up (it won't harden up fully like a frosting) then slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
love it!!
Wow…. This is a game changer! I grew up baking 7-up pound cakes from scratch. This recipe taste almost like the made from scratch cake. This is my go to easy way to make 7-up cake! THANK YALL SO MUCH!❤️
I’ve made this so many times, my daughter loves it! could you use heavy cream in place of the milk?!
I can’t leave a rating yet, because i didn’t make the cake yet. There is a request for me to bring it to work, I was thinking of an easier way then plates, knives, and forks. So my question is, can these be made into cupcakes?
I will say between my partner and myself this is excellent and so easy to make. Right now I’m in the process of making it again. Sometimes I like to tweak recipes just to see what this or that does it taste like… so I add a little lemon juice to the mixture and then I use zest and lemon juice for the icing … oh yeah and 2 boxes of pudding… I bet before tonight this whole thing will be gone just between 2 people lol… tha ks a bunch❤️❤️❤️❤️
Awww thank you so much Hope!! You are so sweet to take the time to come back and leave such a wonderful comment!!
I have made this several times since discovering this recipe. My family, friends and coworkers ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this cake!!!! They ask me to make it. I made an adjustment with the drizzle; I use 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 to a tablespoon of milk. Thank you so much this is a keeper and not to mention so easy. Thanks a million!!!!!
Woo hoo!! That makes me SO happy to hear Maria! Thanks SO very much!
This was a big hit! I made it and brought it to a friend’s house and there was nothing left! So yummy and so easy!
Thanks so very much Jen! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and review – so happy you like this recipe!
Thanks for this recipe. I love everything lemon and this is going on my favorites list. I added the zest from the lemon to the frosting and made it a little thinner. More like a glaze. Super.
I am very glad I find you! I can’t wait to share this with my family! Thank you I look forward to more of your recipes. Thank you
Thanks for this recipe! I remember it from my younger days (in the 70s I think) it was very popular. I had forgotten all about it till I saw it at my local Aldis market. My hubby loves it and now I can make it whenever he wants. Such an easy recipe! Thanks so much! My hubs thanks you too.
Thanks so very much Barbara!