Lemon 7-up cake is a super moist lemon cake that has been decadently drizzled with tangy lemon icing. It’s a favorite for sharing at family gatherings and is always the first dessert to disappear! It’s aptly named 7-up cake because the recipe uses the famed lemon-lime soda.
Below, I’ll share two very simple recipes for lemon 7-up cake. The first, entirely from scratch, for those that prefer not to use a box mix. The second, a quick and easy time saver recipe, for those that prefer less measuring, or who may not have fresh lemons on hand. Both recipes are tried and true and deliver amazing lemon flavor.
What’s the point of adding 7-up to a Cake?
The carbonation of 7-up provides additional rise, giving the cake lift. It works much like traditional leaveners such as baking soda or baking powder and can be used in place of one or both.
Sprite or 7-up, Which is better?
There main distinction between the two brands is that 7-up utilizes potassium citrate in it’s formula while Sprite utilizes sodium citrate. While any lemon-lime soda will technically work in this recipe, 7-up has a stronger lemon flavor and more carbonation than Sprite.
The Best Lemon 7-up Cake (from scratch)
You’ll Need
5 eggs
3 cups self rising flour
3 sticks of butter, softened (for those of you across the pond, 3 sticks of butter equals 3/4 of a pound)
3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon extract
3/4 cup carbonated lemon-lime beverage, any brand
Lemon 7-up Cake from Scratch Directions:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the lemon extract, mixing well.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each egg is added in.
- Add in flour and mixing lightly to incorporate.
- Fold in the lemon-lime soda, mix for 1 minute.
- Transfer the mixture into a 12-cup bundt pan that has been well-greased and lightly floured.
- Bake the cake at 325°F for an hour, or up to an hour and 20 min (or until the cake is fully set).
- Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
- Overturn the cake on to a serving platter, then drizzle with lemon glaze.
The Best Lemon 7up Cake Using Box Mix
You’ll Need:
1 box of yellow cake mix OR 1 box lemon cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup of vegetable oil
1 4-ounce box of instant lemon pudding
3/4 cup of carbonated lemon-lime soda of your choice/any brand
Lemon 7-up cake Directions using Box Cake Mix
- Preheat the oven to 325°F
- Grease a 12-cup bundt pan, then lightly flour it, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cake and pudding mix and mix until combined and there are no lumps. Add the eggs and oil and mix until combined. Fold in the lemon-lime soda until combined.
- Transfer the mixed batter into the prepared bundt pan.
- Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes or until set
- Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
- Overturn the cake on to a serving platter, then drizzle with lemon glaze.
7up Lemon Glaze
You’ll Need:
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice or 1 tsp lemon extract
3 Tbs 7-up
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
How to Make the Lemon Glaze
Both of the above listed recipes use the same easy, delicious lemon glaze. To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice vanilla extract, and 7up with a mixer until smooth. To serve, drizzle icing on the cooled cake.
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