An old-fashioned 7UP pound cake is a simple Southern dessert that’s perfect for any occasion!
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Love homemade pound cake recipes as much as we do? Be sure to try this wildly popular cream cheese pound cake, this buttermilk pound cake, a decadent vanilla pound cake with caramel icing, a glazed almond pound cake, this blueberry pound cake, and this old-fashioned lemon cream cheese pound cake, too!
Thank you Blair! The cake turned out great! Just enough lemon flavor, nice and moist. My husband is loving it!
– Sandy
How to Make 7UP Cake | 1-Minute Video
What to Know Before You Get Started
- The 7UP soda serves a few different purposes in this cake. It acts as a leavening agent (instead of baking soda or baking powder) to help the cake rise, it adds a hint of lemon-lime flavor, and it serves as the liquid that thins the batter.
- Make sure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature so that they blend together smoothly.
- Use real butter — not margarine or other substitutes. This ingredient provides the best flavor and moist texture.
- Don’t leave the 7-up cake in the pan for too long after baking — about 10-15 minutes is plenty. After that, condensation will start to form and the moisture will negatively impact the crust.
How to Make 7Up Pound Cake
I’ve included the detailed instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick overview:
- Make sure that you spray your Bundt pan really well with baking spray, or grease with butter and sprinkle with flour (coat every little nook and cranny!). This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
- Cream together the butter and sugar in the large bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This can take anywhere from about 12 minutes or up to 20 minutes, so just be patient, and scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. Whipping this air into the batter will help the cake rise during baking.
- Add the eggs (one at a time), and then gradually add the flour and lemon zest.
- Fold in the 7-up soda and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake the cake in a 325°F oven for about 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
- For the 7 up pound cake glaze, I prefer a very basic lemon glaze, which is just a combination of powdered sugar and lemon juice. You can start with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and then add more to thin the glaze as necessary. The glaze should be thin enough to drizzle over the cake, but not too runny. To thicken the glaze, add more powdered sugar. You really can’t screw it up!
- Slice and serve. This 7-up pound cake is absolutely delicious plain, so there’s really no need to fuss with much more. That said, you can make it even fancier with some fresh berries on the side and a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Preparation and Storage Tips for 7 Up Cake
- The 7UP cake will stay fresh when covered at room temperature for 4-5 days — it does not need to be refrigerated. To extend the life of your cake, wrap it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- How to Store: For the fridge or countertop, you can just wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap. For the freezer, I recommend a layer of plastic wrap, followed by another layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
- The cake is best when prepared 1 day in advance. The flavors come together and it gets more moist as it rests!
I make this cake all the time. My family ask for it at all events. I use 2tbs lemon extract and no lemon zest along with 7up. I’ve used Sprite also.
– Jill
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Watch How to Make It
7UP Pound Cake
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total: 3 hours 40 minutes
This old fashioned 7up cake is a simple Southern dessert that's perfect for just about any occasion!
Equipment
- Bundt cake pan (I love the ones from Nordic Ware)
- stand mixer (I use my trusty KitchenAid mixer)
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- ¾ lb. (3 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups white sugar
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- ¾ cup 7UP soda
FOR THE GLAZE
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more, as necessary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 12-13 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one. Gradually add flour and lemon zest, mixing just until everything is combined. Fold in 7-Up.
- Pour batter into a well-greased Bundt cake pan.
- Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add extra lemon juice (1 teaspoon at a time), just until the glaze is thin enough to drizzle over the cake. If the glaze is too thin, add a little bit of powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cake.
Notes
The 7UP cake will stay fresh when covered at room temperature for 4-5 days — it does not need to be refrigerated. To extend the life of your cake, wrap it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 408.6kcalCarbohydrates: 58.6gProtein: 4.4gFat: 18.7gSaturated Fat: 11.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.1gCholesterol: 104.5mgSodium: 145.8mgPotassium: 56.8mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 41.9g
7 Up Pound Cake Recipe Variations
- For even more flavor, add vanilla and lemon extracts. If you use about 1 teaspoon or up to 2 teaspoons of lemon extract, you can omit the lemon zest. About 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract adds warmth.
- According to Southern Living, you should not try to substitute Sprite, Sierra Mist, or other lemon-lime soda for the 7UP. The 7UP has a higher level of carbonation than Sprite, which helps the cake rise beautifully! That said, some readers have successfully substituted with other beverages.
- Can I make a Bundt cake in a regular pan? Yes. If you don’t have a Bundt pan or a tube pan, you can typically use 2 loaf pans. The volume of batter should also fit in either two 9-inch round cake pans or in one 9 x 13-inch pan. I haven’t tested this particular recipe in anything other than a Bundt cake pan, so try it at your own risk.
- For another festive Bundt cake option, don’t miss my grandmother’s easy rum cake recipe or this lemon bundt cake with cake mix!
More Pound Cake Recipes
Chocolate Pound Cake
3 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
Sour Cream Pound Cake
2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Southern Blueberry Pound Cake
4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
This recipe was originally published in March, 2020. It was updated in November, 2024.
You didn’t add any Baking Powder? If you add Lemon Juice or any acid such as Orange Juice,White Vinegar to Baking Powder it will make a cake rise. The Acid will interact with the Baking Powder.Also if you add some sour cream I like using Daisy or Mayo either Miracle Whip or Kraft I don’t like using Hellman’s it will make it moist 1/4 Cup. I haven’t made this yet but it looks good but looks a little dry.
Hi, Tara! You don’t need any baking powder. The 7UP helps the cake rise. The cake has a classic pound cake texture — dense, but not dry. Hope you’ll give it a try! 🙂
All I have is Sprite. Can I put some baking powder in it and get away with using the Sprite
Hi, Catherine! Absolutely! You shouldn’t need much baking powder at all, since pound cake is a really dense cake. I would try about 1/4 teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon at the most. Hope you enjoy!
Hey i want to know how much backing powder do I need for this recipe I am using swans down cake flour for my 7up pound cake
Catherine I have made this cake numerous times.you can use sprite if that’s all you have,and the cake will turn out just fine.i don’t use lemon zest, maybe I’ll try it next time. I use pure lemon extract. You don’t need baking powder or baking soda.just what the recipe calls for.I have also used,Pepsi,pineapple crush,and coke using this recipe. Just have to change whatever extract you want to use. They turned out perfect. I’m a baker, and I love to experiment. Hope this helps. Good luck to you
Excellent! Thanks, Deborah!
Looks good! I’m baking it now
Awesome! Enjoy, Dee!
This cake is one of my favorite cakes I was always baking but being ill I lost interest but I no have a care giver to help me I am so happy I am back to baking this is a great recipe.
We’re sorry you fell ill but are happy to hear you’re baking again and are honored you chose our recipe! Enjoy.
Cake is delicious i don’t very much anymore but i am making this cake today it’s my favorite
I hope that you enjoy it, Merdis!
OMG Amazing cake I made this for my birthday, super moist, tender & delicious. The only difference is I used Diet Coke & Raisins & I added Rum & Rum Extract. So it was a Rum, Raisin & Coke Pound Cake. I didn’t have 7up on hand. My sister whom is pregnant I made another batch as though 1 wasn’t enough leaving the Rum out. Tysvm best Pound cake ever & super easy to put together & make.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a note, Tara! I’m so glad to hear that it was a success — and your version sounds delicious too! 🙂
I have 7 up. But it is flat is it okay to use or should I a dd baking powder or baking soda to the recipe?
It probably wouldn’t hurt to add the Baking Powder if it was me yes I would do that 1 teaspoon Double Acting or 2 teaspoons regular Baking Powder. Also if you add Lemon Juice 1 Tablespoon it will interact with the Baking Powder to make it light & fluffy. I do this alot with baking muffins,cakes biscuits. Any type of acid like Vinegar either white,apple cider etc.As for another acid Orange Juice,Lime. I hope this helps or just get a new 7up that isn’t flat & you can use any kind of soda that you like,such as Diet or regular Ginger Ale, Diet or Regular Coke even Root Beer. I recently made Corona Beer bread so delicious. I also made tacos with Corona Beer or any beer you like,instead of water. I took 1 pound Ground Chicken got it crumbly & well done in skillet,then sprinkled on the taco seasoning & added 1/4 Cup Beer then Mild taco sauce 1/4 Cup then when I turned the heat off so it had the taste a little of the beer some more about 1/4 Cup.REALLY DELICIOUS.
Totally agree — thanks, Tara!
I would use it, but also add the baking powder with lemon juice like Tara suggests. Enjoy! 🙂
I want to use this in mini bundt pans. What would the time and temperature adjustments.
Thank you!
Hi, Katrina! I haven’t actually tested the mini bundt pans myself, so my suggestion will merely be an estimate based on other mini bundt cake recipes. You’ll have to keep an eye on it to make sure that it’s not over-cooked or under-baked. 🙂
I would try 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree F oven. Enjoy!
Can I fold blueberries into the batter,without it changing the texture?
Hi, Carol! I haven’t tried it myself, but I think that should work fine. You might want to toss the blueberries with a very small amount of flour before adding them to the batter. This will help the berries stay suspended in the cake, rather than sinking to the bottom. Let me know if you give it a try!
Tara you sound just like me,I use Pepsi or whatever soda I have on hand.change up the extract, and cake turns out perfect everytime.i love using the rum flavor extract
I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂
First off thank you. You’re no doubt a life saver. This was easy to follow. I did use lemon extract instead and added the vanilla and it is sooo good and moist. I can cook but I can’t bake to save my life. This was foolproof and a family favourite. Thank you.
So glad that it was a hit, Nikki!
The Cake Came out Beautiful and Soft!!!!! I Loved the Recipe!!!;
Awesome! Thanks, Carla! 🙂
Do you need to have your soda at room temperature?
Hi, Arlene! It’s best if you don’t chill the soda before adding it to the cake batter, since room temperature ingredients blend together more easily and smoothly. You don’t want a really cold liquid to firm up the eggs and butter.
The carbonation of the 7 up will make the cake rise beautifully. I have made 7 up cakes for years without any problems. A very moist pound cake
I added 1/4t of baking powder.
I love this recipe. I use it for other recipes that go well with the lemon flavors. I have no problem with dryness. I use 7up. The option to bake without the milk is a plus for those who have a low tolerance for dairy.
Thank you!
I baked the 7up Cake for my family’s Easter Desert. My husband could not wait and tried a slice. He loved it. The cake is moist and very light. Delicious!!!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that, Sharron! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. 🙂
Hello,
I tried this recipe for the 7up cake and I don’t know what happened. It did not turn out at all, it would not bake. The butter separated and just sat on top of the mix. After letting it cook for 2 hours, i took it out of the oven and it was like caramel. I am not even sure if I can get it out of the pan. The only thing i can think of , is that i used diet 7up.
Do you have any thoughts on what happened?
I really want to try it again!
Thanks!
Hi, Kay! I honestly have no idea — I’ve never had that happen with any pound cake recipe. I can’t image that the diet soda would have made that much difference. Baking is an exact science, so it makes me wonder if you accidentally mis-measured one of the ingredients? For instance, not enough flour, not enough eggs, too much butter, or the butter wasn’t at room temperature? It just doesn’t make sense to me that you would have a caramel-like mixture after 2 hours in the oven, so I’m just trying to troubleshoot. Sorry I can’t be more helpful since I wasn’t there in the kitchen with you at the time. 🙁
Ok I gave it another try today using regular 7up and it turned out perfect ! So yummy! My family loved it
Oh, good! Thanks for the update, Kay! So glad that it worked. 🙂
Do you think using cake flour and baking sugar would make a better cake?
The cake flour has a lighter crumb, so yes — it can yield a lighter cake. I like to use all-purpose flour when it works in recipes, since I know that cake flour can be hard to find in some places. Either will work, but go with the cake flour if you’ve got it!
I don’t bake with baking sugar, so I can’t say how that would change the texture of the cake either way. Let me know if you give it a shot!
Recipe for 7up pound cake with drizzle 7up and Karo scratch boil the 7up and Karo syrup pour over the cack while it’s still warm and you swan down cake flour I lost my recipe can you find it please
Back track & write down exactly what you did. I made this & it turned out great it was super moist & delicious. I’ve made this many times. Here’s my comment OMG Amazing cake I made this for my birthday, super moist, tender & delicious. The only difference is I used Diet Coke & Raisins & I added Rum & Rum Extract. So it was a Rum, Raisin & Coke Pound Cake. I didn’t have 7up on hand. My sister whom is pregnant I made another batch as though 1 wasn’t enough leaving the Rum out. Tysvm best Pound cake ever & super easy to put together & make.
Thanks, Tara! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve made the cake multiple times and that it always works out. The rum raisin and coke version sounds amazing!
Tara this recipe sounds so good, want to make..question about the 7-up, should it be cold or room temperature
Hi, Patsy! Room temperature is great!
Great recipe! I didn’t have the 7-up, so I used Ginger Ale. The cake turned out great. So from what I gather it doesn’t really make a difference what kind of soda you use. The only difference is it wouldn’t have the lemon flavor.
Excellent! Thanks, Renee!
Can you use cake flour instead of AP flour?
Hi, Anita — yes, I think that should work fine. 🙂
Hello,
I’m baking this cake as I’m typing. I did not have lemons so I used lemon juice, not sure if I used too much or not enough. Will it turn out ok without the lemon zest?
Thanks!
Hi, Sandy! The cake will probably be great — it just won’t have as strong of a lemon flavor, since most of the flavor is in the essential oils from the zest. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you Blair! The cake turned out great! Just enough lemon flavor, nice and moist. My husband is loving it!
I’m so glad to hear that, Sandy! Thank you for letting me know!
In addition to my earlier comment, I took this to my nephew and his family’s house for Thanksgiving and the kids and everyone just loved it! I will make this again, thank you!
That’s wonderful! Thanks, Saundra!
Hello.
I have been making a version of this cake but the only difference is that I alternate when mixing in the flour and 7up. Could that be the reason it is coming out a little dry? I also bake it at 350. I will try 325. Please lmk any other reasons why the cake may be dry.
Hi, Diane! It’s hard for me to know why the cake might be dry. You could be baking it for too long, you could be over-mixing the batter, or there might be something else that I’m just not thinking of. Also, it’s important to remember that a pound is supposed to be much more dense with more of a crumbly texture than a regular cake. It’s not going to be light and fluffy like a layer cake because of the nature of a pound cake.
Thanks so much for the quick response. I am very careful about not over mixing when I add the flour so I’m probably beating the sugar and butter too long or baking it a bit too long. If at first I don’t succeed, try try again! Thanks again. 🙂
Good luck, Diane! 🙂
Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me why my glaze didn’t get hard, it stayed soft & sticky. What did I do wrong?
Hi, Teresa! I’m not sure! It often takes a couple of hours to harden, but if you waited that long and it was still too soft, I honestly don’t know why that would be. Did you put it on really thick? Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Hi Blair,
My mom used to make this recipe all the time. This was my first attempt at the 7up cake since she passed. I seem to be having the same problem she did many years ago! I baked the cake for 75 minutes but it still has a layer of wetness throughout the cake. Did I bake it long enough? It taste good but has a layer that’s thick and wet! What should I do?
Hi, Shay! That’s strange. I haven’t ever had a cake with the wet layer like that, but I imagine it just needs to bake longer. I’ve had quick breads that are still wet in the middle when they’re underbaked, so I bet that’s what you’re experiencing with the pound cake. Merry Christmas!
I make this cake all the time. My family ask for it at all events. I use 2tbs lemon extract and no lemon zest along with 7up. I’ve used Sprite also.
Great! Thanks, Jill!
Hi Looks like a great recipe- I am thinking of using with a group of kids and was wondering if this would bake okay in an 8″ loaf pan or two? I would line it with parchment. DO you think it would hold up to a drizzle of lemon syrup while warm? Thanks for posting the recipe I will def try it!
Yes, it should work well in two loaf pans. And yes — a drizzle of lemon syrup would be delicious!! Have fun, Cindy!
Thanks!
Does this cake freeze well?
Yes, ma’am! 🙂
I made the cake it is delicious, velvety and super easy. I’ll do this one again!
Thank you, Joyce!
Is this my Aunt Joyce from South Carolina? I am making this recipe today. I have made several years ago. Delicious. Have a great Sunday.
Michelle
I use this recipe often with variations of fruits and toppings. It really is simple and delicious.
Thank you! So glad that you like it!
Best pound cake ever i added 2tsp lemon flavor always come out perfect.
Thank you, Lou Ann!
Thank you thank you I had it right I just want to make sure it was correct thank you for
Made this for Christmas and everyone loved it! They said it was the best 7up cake they ever had!!!
Yay! Thanks for letting me know, Dia!
My 7up pound cake. Turned out pretty and very good ty
Awesome! Thank you, Rebecca!
Don’t use a Nordic Ware crown bundt pan. The batter will rise above the edge and form an ugly lip around it. If you want to use it, you will have to use 1 or 2 cups less of the batter and bake a cupcake or two. Otherwise the recipe was easy and delicious.
Good tip, Lacey! Yes, you’ll want to use a Bundt pan with a 12-cup capacity for the best results. Glad that you enjoyed it!
Perfect! I received so many compliments on this cake. Thank you!
Thank you, Kimberly! We’re so glad it was a hit!
Is this my Aunt Joyce from South Carolina? I am making this recipe today. I have made several years ago. Delicious. Have a great Sunday.
Michelle
I’m so glad that you enjoy the cake, Michelle. Have a wonderful week!
After a slight stroke l could not get my recipe together, l love this one, thanks
We’re sorry to hear that, Varnelle but are so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for trying it out!
Hello I so love how you give so many tips from preparing to storing your cske.truly a person that loves to bake . Thank you
Thank you! I hope that you enjoy the cake!