Soda Cake
If you’re craving a sweet treat but short on time (or eggs!), this two-ingredient Soda Cake using a white cake mix and Diet Big Red is about to become your go-to dessert hack. This cake is light, fluffy, and bursting with soda flavor—and the best part? You can mix it up with different soda and cake combinations for endless possibilities.
Why You’ll Love This Soda Cake Recipe
- Only 2 ingredients — no eggs, oil, or butter needed!
- Lower in fat and calories — especially when using diet soda.
- Quick & easy — perfect for last-minute gatherings or weeknight desserts.
- Customizable flavors — think root beer floats, creamsicles, and grape soda dreams!
Making a Soda Cake
Ok, don’t blink or you’ll miss this.
First, in a bowl, mix together a box of white cake mix with a can (or 12 oz.) of soda. Today I used diet Big Red.
Note: No eggs or oil needed—this soda cake stays moist and tender thanks to the carbonation!
Second, and here’s the hard part, don’t over mix it. I know you like to stir batter, I do, too. It’s kind-of therapeutic, isn’t it? Yeah, but just don’t. Just stir it until there are no dry pockets left and leave it be.
Lastly, pour it into a greased 13 x 9″ baking dish. Bake your cake in a preheated oven set at 350° and bake for as long as the box tells you to.
And that’s it.
Flavor Variations You’ll Want to Try
Get creative with your soda cake flavor combos! Here are a few winning pairs:
| Cake Mix | Soda Flavor | Tastes Like… |
|---|---|---|
| White or Vanilla | Root Beer | Root Beer Float Cake |
| White or Vanilla | Grape Soda | Grape Creamsicle Cake |
| White or Vanilla | Orange Soda | Classic Creamsicle Cake |
| White | Diet Big Red | Bubblegum Cream Dream Cake |
| Vanilla | Cherry Cola | Cherry Vanilla Cola Cake |
Now, I didn’t know this, but the internet tells me that Big Red soda tastes like bubble gum.
What? Here’s what it says: “Big Red is known for it’s intense sweetness. The main flavor components are the oils of orange and lemon with a subtle vanilla flavor, which adds a creamy element to the drink — often classified as a cream soda. Many people describe the flavor reminiscent of bubblegum.”
Truth be told, I never thought of Big Red as tasting like bubblegum until I read this.
Serving your Soda Cake
You don’t really need anything on this cake, it’s great plain. If however, you’re feeling creative, have at it.
- Top your cake with some delicious homemade whipped cream — plain or raspberry flavored.
- For a festive look, top with sprinkles or colored glaze to match your soda choice.
- Frost with a complimentary Pudding Frosting based on your soda choice. Hint: vanilla and cheesecake are usually safe bets.
- Squirt some canned whipped cream on top with some fresh berries. That was my favorite. It does, however alter the sugar intake if you’re watching that.
Tips for the Perfect Soda Cake
- Don’t overmix the batter—mix until just combined to keep it fluffy.
- Use diet soda for fewer calories (and it works just as well!).
- Add a touch of vanilla or almond extract to enhance the flavor.
Healthier Dessert Hack
By skipping the eggs and oil, soda cake recipes drastically cut down on fat. Then, by using diet soda, you’re reducing both sugar and calorie content. In other words, you still get the soft, moist texture of a bakery-style cake, but with a lighter nutritional profile.
As a result, I feel less guilty when I have seconds.
Perfect for:
- Potlucks
- Kids’ parties
- Quick weekday desserts
- Late-night cravings with less guilt — yes, I’m talking to you.
FAQs
- Can I use diet soda for this recipe?
Yes, diet soda works just as well as regular soda. The carbonation is what helps the cake rise, not the sugar. - Does soda cake taste like soda?
Not really. The soda flavor is very mild after baking. It mainly adds moisture and helps create a light, fluffy texture. - Do I need eggs, oil, or water?
No. When making soda cake, the soda replaces the eggs, oil, and water typically listed on the cake mix box. - What size pan should I use?
A 9×13-inch baking pan works well for most soda cakes, but you can also bake it in two round cake pans or a Bundt pan. Just adjust baking time as needed. - Can I frost soda cake?
Absolutely. Soda cake tastes great with buttercream frosting, whipped topping, cream cheese frosting, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
If you tried and love this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.
Soda Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box White cake mix (Vanilla works, too)
- 12 oz. diet Big Red soda (see blog for more variations)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 13 x 9" baking dish.
- In large bowl, mix together the cake mix and soda. Stir just until combined, avoid over mixing.
- Bake per directions on box. When done, top should spring back when lightly touched with finger, or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs.
- Cool on a wire rack. See blog for serving suggestions. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Soda Cake (only 2 ingredients)
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Pin this Soda Cake recipe before you forget about it. Two ingredients, one bowl, and suddenly you look like the person who “baked a cake.” We love that journey for you.
In the meantime, I hope you have yourself a blessed day.
