The Best 7-Up Cake is a moist lemon cake that is made with a jazzed up boxed cake mix and topped with a delicious lemon icing drizzle.
THE BEST 7-UP 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.
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS BUNDT CAKE:
- Lemon cake mix can be substituted for the yellow cake mix for a more lemon-y flavor.
- This can be made in a 9X13 baking dish if you don't have a bundt pan.
- Bundt pans need to be greased really well. I like to use the Baker's Joy spray. It is a nonstick baking spray that has flour in it. It helps release bundt cakes so easily from the pan!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
yellow cake mix
instant lemon pudding
7 Up (or similar lemon lime soda)
eggs
vegetable oil
icing:
powdered sugar
lemon juice
milk
HOW TO MAKE THIS DELICIOUS 7-UP BUNDT CAKE:
Originally published: January 2012
Updated & republished: August 2020
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SHIRLEY TEMPLE POKE CAKE
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DOUBLE FUDGE COCA-COLA CAKE
THE BEST 7-UP CAKE
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 4 oz small box instant lemon pudding
- ¾ cups 7-Up soda or similar lemon lime soda
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tbsp 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.
- Start preparing icing. In a small bowl, combine sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Add milk in slowly until you've reached desired consistency.
- Pour icing over cake and serve.
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!
Can I use a 9x13 pan for this recipe?
Yes you should be able to 🙂
That is an EXCELLENT idea!
I made this cake and it was gone in a day! My husband and kids loved it! It was so moist! I plan on making this and taking it to work at the hospital for all my co-workers, but I’ll probably have to make two. This is my new “go to” cake when I have to bring a desert! Thank you so much!
I think it would be better off with vanilla extract I have tried it both ways but I would preferer vanilla extract but with lemon juice not as bad.
This cake is so much fun and the texture looks so good! I will have to make one for Labor Day Weekend!
I get lots of compliments when I make this cake. The only thing I do different is after greasing my pan I dust it with sanding sugar. Gives the crust a little soft crust.
It's GOOD!!!
Took this to work and everyone liked it. Makes a nice presentation.
Would appreciate instructions for mini bundt pan. Thanks.
Hi Shirley, I haven't tested it using mini bundt pans yet. But perhaps someone on here has tried it and can comment on it. 🙂
My kids love this recipe. It’s so flavorful. I’m curious, can this be made in any pan other than a bundt pan? I’d like to try it as a sheet cake and am curious about baking time in a different pan.
This is a go-to recipe. I've made this so many times, I can't even count. I love the sweetness and the tartness of this cake. I've made this cake from scratch as well and I have to tell you the shortcut with the boxed mix and lemon pudding mix is just as good. I appreciate the time savings of this little trick! Thanks Brandie for sharing your awesome recipes.
This absolutely makes my day to read Tish! Thank you so very much for taking the time to come back and comment!
So I’m making this tonight for my boyfriends birthday tomorrow, question. Do I still follow the cake directions on the box like add water also, or not at all and just follow the directions you’ve wrote?
Hi Lisa! Just follow my directions here, not the one on the box. 🙂
This cake looks delicious, and I have all of the ingredients, but someone brought up a good point. Do the ingredients change to accommodate a smaller cake mix??
Just waiting to hear, so I can start right away!
Everything stays the same! 🙂
I made this for the first time today and it turned out perfectly! I didn't change anything just followed the recipe as written. This is a keeper and I plan to make it many more times. Thanks for a great recipe!
I borrowed your recipe and made it sugar-free and it was fabulous! I substituted a Pillsbury sugar -free yellow cake mix, Sprite Zero, a half package of sugar-free vanilla pudding and a package of sugar-free lemon jell-o (because I couldn't find a sugar-free lemon pudding.) I made a glaze of lemon zest and lemon juice and used Swerve sugar substitute for the confectioner sugar. It was so good; even my hubby, who eats lots of sugar, ate a piece and LIKED it. ????
Can you use the cake mix that has pudding in the mix plus the box of pudding the recipe calls for and have you ever tried with a lemon cake mix. I love all your recipes and you site.
I loved the cake. I make 7up pound cake all the time. This was less time and I love it.. I took it to work and it didnt have a chance.. Its the third one this week . Thanks for Sharing..
Thanks so much for coming back to comment Shaywood!
Made this cake today and it was so good thanks for sharing a great recipe hope you enjoy your week end and have a blessing day thank you so much
Hi Judy! Yay! Thanks so much!
Can't wait to make this 7 up cake I will let you know when I do. Great job. I made your coconut poke cake and loved it keep them coming my way have a great day thanks for your great recipes.
Since I always have Sprite in the frig I use this, also I use the Lemon Supreme cake mix, much tastier I think
This sound like it would be so good can't wait to try it thanks for a great recipe
Thank you for this great recipe. It was a Huge hit with the coworkers!!! So simple yet moist and full of flavor!! Can't wait to make this cake again!!
Woo hoo! Thanks SO much Sherie!!
I just found this recipe and I'm wondering if you can use diet 7up? I need to cut down on the sugar.
Are the measurements correct for the icing? I had to add at least 1/4 cup of milk for the sugar to even get wet.
Made this, my husband and my kids loves it????
Had to laugh this recipe always reminds me of this woman - if you have never heard her you have to check it out on youtube. One of the funniest women around in my opinion. Talks about sending her hubby to the store for ingredients for her cake.
Jeanne Robertson "Don't send a man to the grocery store!"
So glad it was a winner for you and your co-workers vickid.
Made this cake - brought it to work and it was devoured within 30 minutes. Delicious! The frosting made the cake taste great and look beautiful.
Thank you,
Vicki D
First, thank you Brandie for your family's service to our country.
Second, I appreciate you posting this recipe because a childhood friend's late mother made this cake for us, oh, about 45 to 50 years ago. It is one of only two cakes she claimed to know how to bake. She had given me her recipe ("obviously" I started baking very young), but I didn't have, for example, the size of the pudding box, which I now have from your post.
Mrs. T. made this cake in 13x9x2-inch pan and she slathered a cream cheese and butter icing full of chopped pecans on the cake as soon as it came out of the oven. Then we would sit at her kitchen table staring at the cake with great expectation until she cut a slice for each of us. You definitely sparked some memories I cherish, and I plan to bake this cake soon.
I am grateful.
do i make the pudding then add it to the cake or do i just add it to the dry box cake mix and follow box cake directions help pleases
Thank-You for this recipe! I have been looking for this one for awhile & the ones I have tried were not as good as this one. It is oh so moist & delicious! Thanks for making me look like a "rock star"!!
Made this today for my husband's bday. Soooo good...I added crushed pinapples to the icing(that's how my grandmother made hers) My family absolutely loved it. Thanks again for the recipe.
Could you use ginger ale instead of the 7-up?
Here in the South we make a similar cake with Sun Drop. Duncan Hines Lemon Cake mix, Lemon pudding mix, 12 oz Sun Drop, 3 eggs and 3/4 cup oil.
The picture of the cake mix shows it's 18.25oz. They aren't that big any more what should we do? I'm afraid there is to much liquid for the smaller amount of cake mix in the boxes now. Same with the coca cola cake. Thanks, Gaile
Could I sub oil for butter??
We use Mountain Dew with this recipe. We never use icing and this cake is gobbled up very quickly.
I LOVE 7-Up cake!!! The women in my family usually add a little of the soda to the icing/glaze recipe to help give it a little lemon-lime "kick".
This was so tasty and moist!
Just made this cake for a bake sale at work...have a question though...could I do a chocolate cake with chocolate pudding and coke? Just use same idea for glaze...just curious 🙂
I hope it ok, I posted your link on my facebook page. First time cooking it and my house smells devine! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with us!
This turned out so well! I used a 9 x 13 pan instead of a bundt pan (mine seems to have gone missing) and it worked out perfectly. Brilliant! 🙂
I just discovered your site recently and I'm a fan already. The 7 Up Cake was REALLY lemon-y, but my hubby grabbed the cook and serve lemon pudding instead of the instant, so I think that had an impact on that. Everything else I've tried has been perfect!!
I make this using a cherry cake mix and cherry flavored 7UP. YUM! 🙂
I made this cake today and it was much enjoyed by my in-laws, my husband, and my kids! My hubby can be picky about sweets, but he said his grandmother used to make one that looked exactly the same so he had to try it. He loved it. Guess I will be making this one more in the future 🙂
I am not much of a baker, but I saw the picture and it looked so good I had to try. I made it and it was so moist and tasty. My parents and my children loved it so much there wasn't any left when I came home from work the next day, so i'm making another one tonight!
Does anyone know how long I'd need to bake this if I used silicone? The one and only time I used a silicone bundt pan it didn't cook properly.
Yummmmmmmmmmmmm
Heidi - 7 up cake is a southern tradition that is always made with lemon so I haven't tried it with another flavor but I don't see why you couldn't? But I guess if you just can't stand it you could always do vanilla?
Hi Sandra! I'm so glad you liked it! Nope, that isn't a typo! Powdered sugar isn't like regular sugar. Powdered sugar is mostly corn starch so it absorbs liquid very easily and becomes liquidy-y very easily by just a little amount of milk or lemon juice. So a little liquid goes a long way with powdered sugar. Hope that helps! ~Brandie
Made this for dessert tonight and it was absolutely yummy! I love lemon cake and this hit the spot, for sure. The only issue I had was with the icing. The recipe calls for 2 cups of powdered sugar and just 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice and 1Tbsp. of milk. 2 cups of the sugar is A LOT, so I'm wondering if that's a typo. Regardless, I will definitely be making this again!
Have you tried this with any other flavour? There isn't much I don't like, but lemon I can't stand lol
Thank you, thank you! This was my favorite cake growing up that my grandma would make from scratch...and I have been craving it so bad for the past 10 years or so! I keep begging my mom for the recipe but she keeps telling me it will not work at high altitude...we live at 8000ft. I'm going to try with this shortened recipe and see if it will work. Wish me luck and the cola cake looks good too.
I tried to make 7-up cake for the first time a month and the recipe was from scratch. I totally ruined it. It was for a friend, so i hid it and never told him about it, Lol. I would like to try your recipe tonight. Usually u add water to box cake mix but water is not listed in your recipe. Am i mixing cake according to directions on box? Or am i only putting in what's on your list, eliminating water i guess because using soda? Hope to hear from u so i can get started.
Anonymous - oops, oh no! At least you tried! I know some folks have differing opinions on boxed cake mixes but there ain't now shame in my game & there is no getting around how moist and yummy they are. You make this using my exact ingredients. Don't go by the back of the box on this one. 🙂
What if I don't have a boont pan? 🙂 Can you make this with a regular 9*13?
Jen, your comment is so sweet! Thank you so very much! I can't tell, you how much that means to me to hear! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to let me know how much you enjoy this recipe!
I have had 7up cakes from stores but never bothered before this one. I had a taste for something with real lemon in it and the icing is just so fresh and bright. I am thinking to switch it up, I'll use vanilla pudding and use a little real vanilla bean in the cake and the icing. Have to say I LOVE your site and have made many of the recipes! Thanks so much, I can always depend on your site when I'm looking for something new/different and I KNOW it will be a hit. 🙂
If using cake mix with "pudding in the mix" I still add the instant pudding. Correct?
I made this cake with orange sunlit, and a tablespoon of grated orange zest. I made a vanilla glaze for the top. It was delightful! This ones a keeper, for sure!!
I used to make this cake when my family was young.
It always came out well, and we all loved it.
Brings back wonderful memories!
I found your recipe on Pinterest and have been wanting to try it. I made this for our Bosses Day party and it was a huge hit! Amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
I am so excited to try this! I have never heard of it, but it sounds absolutely delicious.
Sounds yummy!! Can't wait to make it!!
So do you use the amount of 7up to replace what the box cake mix is listing for water... Or do you replace the water and use 1 1/2 cups of 7up? Can't wait to try this cake!
Hi Anna! Don't go by any directions of the back of the box. Just go by my ingredients & directions here. Hope that helps and that you love it! 😀
Hi Heather! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you! I'm so happy it was a success!
I made this over the weekend and LOVE it! I can't wait to try more of your recipes!! I wrote a post on this and gave you all the credit as well as linked it to you for the recipe! I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I did!!
Sounds yummy! Guess you could use Sierra Mist soda too (which my husband drinks) in the recipe.
@ S.G.Robinson ~ could you share the Pineaplle/Coconut icing recipe? I love both and sounds so good!
You can definitely use lemon cake mix with this. 🙂
Hi there! Do you think this recipe will work okay with lemon instant cake mix? Thanks!
I make almost the same cake.. I use Sun drop soda and use Lemon cake.. Everyone has me making this all the time.. Thank you giving some ideas on changing it up.. 🙂 Everyone needs to make this your friends will think you are the best baker in town.
Anonymous, I don't see why you couldn't make it in a 9x13 pan. Keep in mind, this cake is super moist, so just be careful when you slice it. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Could you make this in a 9 x 13 pan? then, poke holes for the glaze?
I love My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My kids and throw lines from the movie at each other all the time. When my sons and his wife go home I always say "why you want to leave meeeee?" too funny. I've been looking for this recipe for awhile. Thanks for posting.
"look whose back again"
I made this today using Mt Dew instead of 7UP. Quite tasty! Hubby really liked it (all he drinks is Mt Dew). Thank you for a great recipe! 🙂
I LOVE 7-UP-CAKE, but our old family recipe has a pineapple/coconut mixture for icing and I have a fairly new coconut allergy, so eating it makes me wheeze and short of breath (unless I just eat the insides, which takes the fun out of it).
The lemon/sugar mixture sounds better anyway, so I look forward to trying this (very) soon!
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!! I'm SO happy you liked it!!
I made this cake over the weekend and it is soooooo good. My family really enjoyed it. The recipe is so simple and quick. Thank you!
I made this cake yesterday and it was wonderful...
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you liked it!!
So happy to hear you liked this one Joan. That's why I love baking with soda, it adds a bit of flavor but it makes cakes so moist too!
Super moist and love the light citrus taste!
Looks gorgeous! LOL Love the movie My Big Fat Greek wedding. I also always remember that episode with bundt cake:-)
That looks amazing. I wish I could try that cake.
Oh Brandie - you are always so entertaining. And such a cake queen too huh? :-} Thank you for sharing another wonderful easy dessert to try from your collection. Your photos are always sooo nice! And mouth-watering too!!!
I love 7 up cake but have never made a shortcut version. Love it!
Lol, I was laughing all through reading that dialog-- we LOVE that movie!! I also think of it when I see one, too!
Both of these cakes look so moist and delish, but I enjoy all of the recipes you put up on here!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Leslie
"Oh...It's a caeke!!!"
Remember when I was trying to eat healthier and then I saw this and obsessed over it and dreamt about it and ate the entire cake?
No?
Oh.
😉
I've never cooked a cake with soda before but this looks so delicious I'm going to give it a try! I hope mine comes out half as beautiful as yours.
What a awesome recipe...Delicious dear..
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Brandie,
I love all of your cake creations with soda. They make the cake very moist. I also love My Big Fat Greek Wedding:)
Please stop by my blog. I have an award for you.
Just make sure you keep potted plants around to put in the middle! Go Rodney and Harry, watch out for ouzo
This looks absolutely delicious! I love My Big Fat Greek Wedding, as well, so maybe I'll go make this and just sit myself down and watch that funny movie!:)
Toula's whole family is a hoot! And your boont cake looks fantastic! Come visit us soon.
HAHA I love Toula's mom in the movie, her expression of horror over the 'hole in the cake' is priceless!
Great recipe!
I make this cake using Mountain Dew. It's super moist and people love it. I've never used a glaze, but may make one the next time. Thanks for posting.
This looks so moist. I've never tried a cake recipe using soda before, but now I have to! Thanks for sharing.
I'd love to try out this recipe but your ingredients are American, can you translate them into UK ones for us over here please.
Thanks Lovina
try googling to find similar ingrediants as i have done in australia