7 Up Cake (from scratch pound cake) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you buy from them, I will make a few pennies, at no cost to you. See disclosurehere.

Old fashioned, from scratch 7 Up Cake has a subtle flavor of citrus soda and a sweet, tender crumb. This classic bundt cake, topped with a simple glaze and lime and lemon zest, is easy to make and a sure crowd pleaser. This delicious pound cake is a potluck favorite.

This 7 Up pound cake is one of the first cake recipes I posted on Persnickety Plates. I polled my friends to see what they call it – 7Up Pound Cake, 7Up Bundt Cake, or just 7Up Cake. I got mixed responses but whatever you call it, they agreed it’s high up as one of the best pound cake contenders.

Some people start with a cake mix but I prefer to make mine from scratch. It’s an easy cake recipe even when homemade.

The lemon-lime flavor makes for a light-tasting cake and the optional glaze finishes it off for a truly delicious dessert.

It is a vintage recipe that is sometimes known as a “church cake” because it is often at church functions. I’ve also seen it sold as individual slices at restaurants or for bake sales.

Equipment you’ll need

• Mixing Bowls – My favorite mixing bowls, I love the grippy on the bottom.
• Stand Mixer – I LOVE my KitchenAid Stand Mixer but I use my hand mixer even more often.
• Bundt Pan – Look for a 12 cup bundt pan (sometimes called a tube pan). They come in many pretty designs.

Ingredients you’ll need to make a Lemon-Lime Cake

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe.Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.

• Butter– Unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Shortening– Unlike butter, which can be made of fat and water, shortening is 100% fat. It adds tenderness & lightness to a cake.
• Sugar– Granulated white sugar is what I’ve tested with.
• Flour– All purpose white flour.
• 7-Up Soda– 7 Up works best in this recipe. Other lemon-lime soda brands like Sprite or Sierra Mist can be substituted, but 7-Up is preferred. In addition to the flavor, the carbonation also acts as a leavening agent in the cake batter.
• Almond Extract– A classic pound cake flavor, almond extract is warmer and sweeter than vanilla extract. (you can use all vanilla if you don’t have almond).
• Vanilla Extract– Vanilla extract pairs beautifully with almond extract in this pound cake. Use REAL, not imitation!
• Salt– To intensify the flavors.
• Eggs– 5 large eggs. Yes, five. Eggs provide structure to the cake and moisture. They also help give the smooth and creamy texture.

How to make a moist 7Up Cake

1. STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and generously grease a bundt pan with non stick spray or butter and lightly flour.
   
2. STEP TWO: In a large bowl, add butter, shortening, sugar, vanilla extra, and almond extra. Beat until light & fluffy.

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the salt and flour.

3. STEP THREE: With your mixer running on low, add in 1 egg, then a bit of the 7 Up, then a bit of the flour mixture. Repeat, in that order, until you’re out of ingredients and the batter is fully combined.
   
4. STEP FOUR: Scoop the mixture into your prepared bundt pan and bake for an hour and a half or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for at least 10 minutes then flip to remove from the pan.

How to store leftovers

Leftover 7 Up cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.

Can I freeze a 7 Up Cake?

Yes, this cake will freeze well – either whole or sliced into individual slices. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.

FAQs

What if I want to glaze it?

You can also make an optional glaze with 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of 7-Up whisked together and poured over the cake.

Why is it called pound cake?

It’s called a pound cake because there’s a pound each of butter, sugar, flour, and eggs in this recipe. That’s a lot of ingredients. But it makes for a really dense, moist, sweet cake.

What does 7-Up soda do in baking a cake?

Besides adding a mild citrus flavor, 7-Up has a high level of carbonation which helps the cake to rise beautifully. Sprite and Sierra Mist will work flavor wise, but 7-Up has the highest level of carbonation and works best for the rise.

If you like this lemon pound cake recipe, also try my 7 Up Chocolate Pound Cake.

Need more bundt cake recipes? Try these:

Butterscotch Bundt CakeLemon Bundt CakeOrange Banana Bundt Cake
Butter Pecan Bundt Cake

Click here to view my entire collection of cake recipes.

Originally published May 15, 2015