Super Easy 2-Ingredient Soda Cake (2024)

This 2-ingredient soda cake is a simple and quick dessert recipe that combines cake mix and soda to create a moist and fluffy cake. Served with or without frosting, it tastes delicious!

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• Cake mix – 13.5- to 16-ounce box cake mix
• Soda – 12-ounce can soda (or 1½ cups if you’re pouring from a larger bottle). See our flavor list below for some cake mix and soda combination ideas.
• Frosting – (optional) 16-ounce container frosting – Soda cake is moist enough that you do not have to add frosting. But I usually do unless I’m making a bundt cake.

• Diet Soda: To reduce sugar and calorie content, you can use diet soda instead of regular soda.
• Frosting: You can use homemade icing, Cool Whip, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting instead of the store-bought icing. Softer spreads such as Cool Whip and whipped cream are easier to spread, but aren’t as stable. So should be put on the cake shortly before serving.

Here are some ideas for different flavor combinations you cake try:

• 1 | Prep work

  Pre-heat the oven to 350℉.

  Then you’ll need to prepare your cake pan so the cake won’t stick.

  You can use 2 8″ layer cake pans, 1 9″ x 13″ sheet pan or a bundt pan.

  For pans with flat bottoms, I think parchment paper works best.

  Cut a piece of it that is just big enough to fit the bottom of it. The easiest way to do this is to set the pan on the parchment paper and trace around the bottom of it with a pencil. Then cut along the inside of the line with scissors.

  If you don’t have parchment paper (or if you are using a bundt pan), you can spray the bottom of the pan with non-stick cooking spray.

  Do not grease or cover the sides of the pan. This helps the cake to rise evenly by allowing it to cling to the ungreased sides of the pan as it bakes.

  Pro tip: It is absolutely necessary that you do one of these two options to prevent the cake from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Otherwise, it will be almost impossible to get out in one piece.

• 2 | Mix the batter

  

  Add cake mix and soda to a large bowl.

  The soda should start to fizz and create a lot of foam.

  

  Use a whisk to stir the mixture until all of the foam is gone and the batter is smooth.

  You can also use a mixer, but I don’t. There’s less equipment to take out and put away if you mix it by hand. And it’s really easy to do.

  Pro tip: It’s important not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the soda to lose its carbonation, which is essential for giving the cake its light and fluffy texture.

• 3 | Bake

  See Also

  Beyond the sugar: Chemicals in sodas and their link to systemic diseases and oral healthWhat's Really in Your Can of SodaG2 Drink recipe - UPDATED 2024 | Home Drink MenuA Deep Dive into Caffeine & Ingredients – REIZECLUB

  

  If you are using parchment paper, make sure it is laid flat at the bottom of the pan.

  Then pour the batter in.

  Bake at 350°F for the following times depending on the size of cake:

  • 9″ x 13″ sheet pan – 30 to 33 minutes
  • 2 8″ rounds – 30 to 33 minutes
  • 2 9″ roundes – 25 to 28 minutes
  • bundt pan – 40 to 43 minutes

  Soda cakes tend to hold together better when they are baked a little longer than a standard cake. So I usually leave it in for 33 minutes.

  You’ll know it’s done when you can insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, and it comes out clean, without any wet batter attached.

  I always use the inexpensive, square-ish toothpicks that aren’t perfectly smooth for doing this testing. I find the smooth, round toothpicks often come out clean even when the cake isn’t fully baked.

  Pro tip: Because this soda cake recipe does not contain stabilizers such as eggs, it does not rise as high as traditional cakes do. So don’t be surprised if the cake looks a little flatter than you were expecting. It still tastes great!

• 4 | Cool

  Let the cake cool in the pan on a baking rack for about 5 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up which makes it easier to handle.

  However, do not let the cake sit in the pan for much more than 5 minutes or it will be extremely difficult to get the parchment paper off without taking some of the cake with it.

  

  Then, put the cooling rack upside down over the top of the cake pan, and carefully turn the cake over. It should come right out onto the cooling rack.

  This works best with a cooling rack that is just slightly larger than your cake pan. Otherwise, it can be hard to hold in place and you’ll end up with the cake on the counter instead of on the rack. (Ask me how I know).

  

  Gently peel off the parchment paper from what was the bottom of the cake. Be careful around the edges to keep the cake from breaking.

  Let the cake cool completely on the rack. This allows air to circulate around the cake, cooling it evenly and preventing the bottom from getting soggy.

• 5 | Add frosting

  

  Transfer the cake to your serving platter or cutting board.

  The easiest way to do this is to put the platter over the cake on the cooling rack and flip the whole thing over.

  Then spread on the frosting with a knife or spatula.

  Pro tip: Soda cake does tend to be a little softer than traditional cake. So spread the frosting gently or you may end up with chunks of cake in it.

All types of soda cake go well with frosting and ice cream. But you may want to consider some of these other serving suggestions for different flavors.

For a chocolate and co*ke soda cake

• Garnish: Shave dark chocolate curls or sprinkle a light dusting of cocoa powder over the frosting for a sophisticate touch.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve each slice with a drizzle of raspberry coulis and fresh raspberries on the side for a pop of color and a hint of tartness.

For a vanilla or white cake

• Garnish: Top with a colorful assortment of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) for a vibrant and fresh look. Add a sprig of mint for a touch of green.
• Serving Suggestion: Accompany each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a light drizzle of honey for added sweetness and texture.

For a lemon or citrus soda cake

• Garnish: Grate lemon zest over the frosting and place thin lemon slice twists on top for a citrusy aroma and presentation.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve alongside a pitcher of homemade lemonade or a citrus-infused sparkling water to complement the cake’s flavor profile.

For a root beer soda cake

• Garnish: Crumble root beer barrel candies and sprinkle them over the icing.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair each slice with a glass of cold root beer or a root beer float for a nostalgic treat.

For a ginger ale soda cake

• Garnish: Sprinkle candied ginger pieces and a dusting of powdered sugar over the top to create a simple yet elegant topping that enhances the ginger flavor.
• Serving Suggestion: Offer a warm ginger tea or a ginger-infused co*cktail to echo the spicy warmth of the cake.

To prepare the 2-ingredient soda cake ahead of time, follow the recipe steps up until the cake has cooled completely after baking.

Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it moist. Make sure it has completely cooled. Otherwise condensation will form inside the packaging and cause the cake to get soggy.

Store it at room temperature for up to a day.

Put the frosting on just before serving.

To store a 2-ingredient soda cake, ensure it has cooled completely after baking.

Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air from drying it out.

For added protection, you can place the wrapped cake in an airtight container.

If you plan to consume it within a few days, storing it at room temperature in a cool, dry place is suitable.

For longer storage, refrigerate the cake in its airtight container for up to one week.

You may also freeze the cake for up to three months. To freeze, wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container.

Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.

Why did my soda cake not rise?

Soda cake does not rise as much as traditional cake so it may actually be normal.

However, it could also happen because the cake batter was mixed too much after the soda was added.

Or because of old cake mix. The leavening agents lose their effectiveness after a while which causes a flat cake.

Why did my soda cake fall in the middle after baking?

This usually happens if the cake hasn’t baked all the way through. Make sure that a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean before removing it from the oven.

How do I get the soda cake to be less crumbly?

Baking the soda cake for a few minutes longer (the top end of the time range) helps to keep it from falling apart.

You can also add melted butter and eggs to the cake mix batter which will give it a little more structure and help the cake stick together better. See our soda cupcakes recipe for more details.

How do I prevent the soda cake from sticking to the pan?

The best way to prevent it from sticking is to line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper. It also helps to keep the cake from breaking when you take it out of the pan. After the cake has finished baking, let it sit in the pan for about 5 minutes, then turn it upside down onto a cooling rack and peel the paper off.