7UP Pound Cake - Immaculate Bites

The fizz of the soda and zing of the lemon make this 7UP pound cake irresistible. The fizz creates a light texture, and the lemon/lime adds a new flavor dimension. Add a cup of coffee, and you’re good to go.

I recently tried this Southern classic for the first time. Soda drinks in a cake? Yep! So light, moist, and decadent, I just had to share the best recipe for using carbonated beverages.

7UP used to have lithium and was used medicinally. Didn’t Coca-Cola start as medicine, too? And don’t think you have to have 7UP because Sprite or simply lemon lime pound cake is just as good.

What Does 7UP Do For Pound Cake?

The fizz in 7UP helps the cake rise to higher standards than baking powder alone. In fact, cooks used to replace baking soda or baking powder with 7UP for a wonderfully light cake. It also adds the delightful lemony limony flavor unique to this type of soda. And the acidity complements the sweetness so well.

How to Make 7UP Pound Cake from Scratch

1. Preheat the oven, grease a tube pan generously with cooking spray, and set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar on high in a stand mixer until it’s fluffy and starts looking white. (Photo 1)
3. Eggs. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well between each addition. (Photo 2)
4. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt into the batter.
5. Add liquids. Follow with the 7UP and vanilla extract. Stir well until everything is thoroughly combined. Please DO NOT overmix. (Photo 3)
6. Scrape the sides of the mixing bowl. (Photo 4)

1. Pour the batter into the greased cake pan. Tap the pan on the work surface to eliminate large air bubbles. (Photo 5)
2. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean (70 minutes or more). (Photo 6)
3. Cool. Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool before slicing and serving with whipped cream and fresh strawberries if desired.
4. Glaze – Combine confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a small bowl, and adjust with 7UP as needed for the right consistency.
5. Serve. Drizzle it over the pound cake. Enjoy!

Flavor Twists

• Ginger ale makes a wonderful pound cake. Or how about Cherry 7UP? Yum!!! Actually, just about any carbonated beverage would do. Orange Fanta, Dr. Pepper (almond and vanilla sound good), cream soda, or pineapple make an excellent pound cake.
• If you want to reduce sugar in your diet, eliminate up to a cup without affecting it.
• Replace 8 ounces of the butter with cream cheese, and add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the glaze for extra decadence.

Tips and Tricks

• Have all your ingredients at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother batter.
• Dry cake? Save the day with a simple syrup. Boil a ½ cup of water with a ½ cup of sugar until the sugar dissolves. Then pour it over the pound cake, let it soak in for about 10 minutes, and enjoy.
• Cut leftover cake into cubes and lightly toast them. Then, use them instead of the French bread in my favorite bread pudding. Reduce the sugar by half, so it doesn’t end up too sweet.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This 7UP pound cake is iconic in Southern hospitality. And it tastes even better the next day.

You can store pound cake at room temperature for up to 3 days, though I seriously doubt it will be around that long. It will last a week in the fridge in an airtight container and 3 months in the freezer.

Best Sides and Toppings for 7UP Pound Cake

Serving this pound cake with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries, cherries, or tropical fruit salad is incredibly delicious. And don’t forget about vanilla ice cream and a cup of coffee. 🍨 ☕️

More Easy Pound Cake Recipes

Watch How to Make It

This blog post was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video