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Home » Recipes » Soul Food Classics

Modified: Apr 22, 2025 · Published: Jul 12, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

SunDrop® Pound Cake Recipe

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Close up front view of pound cake topped with glaze on white plate.
Overhead view of single slice of pound cake on small white plate.
Overhead view of single slice of cake on white plate with fork in it by soda in a can and glass.
Slice of pound cake on small white plate by a fork with the rest of the cake in the background.
Overhead view of freshly baked pound cake in bundt pan on marble surface.
Two photos of finished cake on pin with text overlay.
Close up front view of whole cake topped with glaze on white plate pin with text overlay.
Four process photos to make pound cake on pin with text overlay.
Close up front view of pound cake topped with glaze on white plate.

Try making the best ever SunDrop® Pound Cake Recipe from scratch! It’s a decadent, moist, southern classic cake, that’s made with sun drop soda for a subtle lemon, lime, and orange flavor.

If you love dessert recipes with citrus flavor, definitely try my recipes for 7 Up Pound Cake, Lemonade Pie, and Lemon Loaf.

Overhead view of slice of cake on white plate by a fork with the rest of the cake in the background.

Adding soda to pound cake is nothing new. It adds a nice dose of acid to the cake to give the cake a great texture that makes it moist and flavorful. 

Growing up in the South SunDrop® soda was always a favorite of mine. If you’ve never had it before, then it’s a refreshing soda with the crisp flavors of lemon, lime, and orange. Nowadays you may not see this citrus soda in stores as much, but I still can’t resist the urge to grab a cold bottle when I see it. Especially if it’s in a glass bottle!

This soda is actually so popular that it has its own pound cake recipe that I was first introduced to as a child at the church potluck. Today I will take so time to share the recipe with you.

Let’s get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make pound cake in separate bowls on marble surface.
  1. SunDrop® Soda - May use Mountain Dew as a substitute.
  2. Butter - Use any brand that you prefer, but try to select the best butter possible. It can be salted or unsalted. Allow the butter to come to room temperature before combining it with the other ingredients to make the cake. 
  3. Shortening - Pairs well with the butter for a helping of additional fat to make the cake moist and give it that dense pound cake texture. 
  4. Sugar - Granulated or cane sugar adds sweetness to the cake. For this recipe, you will need 3 cups of sugar.
  5. Eggs - This cake requires five large eggs to make. Try to remove the eggs before using them and allow them to come to room temperature.
  6. Vanilla Extract - Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation for best results.
  7. Lemon Extract - Helps to bring out the lemon flavor of the soda. 
  8. All-Purpose Flour - Check to make sure it’s plain all-purpose flour with nothing added to it. You may whisk or shift before using it to remove any large lumps.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Step By Step Instructions

Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare a bundt or tube pan using shortening to lightly grease the entire pan in a thin layer. Lightly dust the whole pan with a small amount of all-purpose flour. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and allow for easy removal. Be sure to remove any excess flour and set the pan aside. 

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large bowl with a (hand) electric mixer, add the butter and shortening and mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Butter and shortening combined in stand mixer bowl.

Add the granulated sugar and continue mixing until light and fluffy.  

Overhead view of stand mixer bowl with butter, shortening, and sugar combined in it.

Adjust the mixer to medium-low speed and add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon extract. Mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure all of the cake is mixed.

Eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon extract added to the stand mixer bowl with the other cake ingredients.

Adjust the mixer to low speed and add the all-purpose flour a little at a time before adding in the soda.

Soda and flour mixture added to the stand mixer bowl with the rest of the cake ingredients.

Mix until combined, but do not overmix. 

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Overhead view of cake batter in stand mixer bowl on marble surface.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spread it around, and tap the bottom of the cake pan to make sure it’s spread evenly in the pan. Place into the oven and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until a cake tester comes out with little crumbs and no wet cake mixture. 

Cake batter added to the prepared cake pan on marble surface.

Carefully remove the sundrop cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing the cake completely. 

Overhead view of freshly baked cake in bundt cake pan.

While the cake cools, prepare the glaze in a medium mixing bowl, by whisking together the melted butter, powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar, and soda until combined.

Overhead view of glaze ingredients in small white mixing bowl with a whisk.

Drizzle the glaze evenly over the top of the cake while it’s still warm but removed from the pan.

Close up front view of cake topped with glaze on white plate.

Slice and enjoy!

Overhead view of slice of cake on small white plate.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Take your time preparing the cake pan! Use shortening to lightly grease the pan with a thin layer and then lightly dust it with a small layer of all-purpose flour. Make sure the entire pan is covered, this prevents the cake from sticking to the pan. 
  • Allow the refrigerated ingredients time to come to room temperature before using for best results.
  • Try not to overmix the cake mixture, especially after the flour is added. Mix just enough for the ingredients to come together then stop.
  • Be sure to check the pound cake while baking to make sure that it doesn't overbake. Place a cake tester (toothpick) into the cake and once it comes out with little to no crumbs or wet cake mix, then it’s time to pull it from the oven.
  • Allow the cake to cool a bit in the pan before removing it.
  • If you cannot find SunDrop soda, then Mountain Dew or Mello Yello soft drinks are good substitutes. 

Storage Tips

Storage. Store any leftover cake at room temperature in an airtight container or cake storage for 4 to 5 days. Slice a serve as normal. If you prefer to store it in the refrigerator, then you may just allow it to come to room temperature or slightly reheat it before serving.

Freezer Storage. This cake can be made in advance and stored in the freezer for 30 days. When ready to serve, simply remove it from the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving the next day. Once it has thawed, then can store at room temperature.

Overhead view of single slice of cake on white plate with fork in it by soda in a can and in a glass.

More Easy Pound Cake Recipes You'll Love

  • 7 Up Pound Cake 
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  • Greek Yogurt Pound Cake
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Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Sun Drop Pound Cake? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Close up front view of pound cake topped with glaze on white plate.

SunDrop® Pound Cake

LaKita Anderson
Try making the Best SunDrop® Pound Cake Recipe from scratch! It’s a decadent, Southern classic made with crisp sundrop soda for a subtle citrus flavor.
5 from 14 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Video

Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Resting Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 488 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Tube or Bundt Pan
  • 1 stand mixer or hand mixer
  • 1 small mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • Cake Ingredients:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup SunDrop soda
  • Glaze Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup SunDrop soda

Instructions
 

  • Begin the recipe by preheating the oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare a bundt or tube pan using shortening to lightly grease the entire pan in a thin layer.
  • Lightly dust the whole pan with a small amount of all-purpose flour. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and allow for easy removal. Be sure to remove any excess flour and set the pan aside.
  • Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large bowl with a (hand) electric mixer, add the 1 cup butter and ½ cup shortening and mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the 3 cups granulated sugar and continue mixing until light and fluffy.
  • Adjust the mixer to medium-low speed and add in the 5 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon lemon extract. Mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure all of the cake is mixed.
  • Adjust the mixer to low speed and add the 3 cups all-purpose flour a little at a time before adding in the ¾ cup soda. Mix until combined, but do not overmix.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spread it around, and tap the bottom of the cake pan to make sure it’s spread evenly in the pan.
  • Place into the oven and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until a cake tester comes out with little crumbs and no wet cake mixture.
  • Carefully remove the sun drop cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing the cake completely.
  • While the cake cools, prepare the glaze in a medium mixing bowl, by whisking together the 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar, and ¼ cup soda until combined.
  • Drizzle the glaze evenly over the top of the cake while it’s still warm but removed from the pan. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

  • Take your time preparing the cake pan! Use shortening to lightly grease the pan with a thin layer and then lightly dust it with a small layer of all-purpose flour. Make sure the entire pan is covered, this prevents the cake from sticking to the pan. 
  • Allow the refrigerated ingredients time to come to room temperature before using for best results.
  • Try not to overmix the cake mixture, especially after the flour is added. Mix just enough for the ingredients to come together then stop.
  • Be sure to check the pound cake while baking to make sure that it doesn't overbake. Place a cake tester (toothpick) into the cake and once it comes out with little to no crumbs or wet cake mix, then it’s time to pull it from the oven.
  • Allow the cake to cool a bit in the pan before removing it.
  • If you cannot find SunDrop soda, then Mountain Dew or Mello Yello soft drinks are good substitutes.
Calories: 488kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 54gVitamin A: 483IUCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword pound cake, sun drop pound cake recipe
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 01/11/2023. Updated 07/12/2024.

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Comments

    5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle Putnam says

    May 05, 2025 at 8:51 pm

    I made this cake for my husband to take to his men’s gathering at church. I used cherry lemon sundrop. It was a hit. The cake was gone by the next day! Highly recommend this recipe.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      May 29, 2025 at 8:14 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing! I love the twist with the cherry lemon sundrop, what a fun idea! I'm so happy to hear it was a hit at the gathering. It sounds like it was a total crowd-pleaser! 😊🍒🍰

      Reply
  2. Laura Pugh says

    April 09, 2025 at 7:51 am

    can I use more butter instead of the shortening? I am not sure about using shortening.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      May 29, 2025 at 8:08 pm

      Hi Laura. Yes, you can use all butter instead!

      Reply
  3. MillieTheBaker63 says

    May 13, 2024 at 7:20 pm

    5 stars
    I cooked 3 small cakes from this recipe in 2 disposable Bundt cake pans & 1 disposable, regular loaf pan from Dollar Tree. (Picked up 20 more disposable Bundt cake pans this evening ✨) Glazed 1 with a lemon glaze, 1 with a vanilla glaze & did you glaze the loaf. Scrumptious ❣️
    I folded the flour into the butter mixture with a spatula. Then mixed everything on medium -low for about 3 minutes when I added the soda at the end. Checked it again from the bottom with a spatula. They were scrumptious ❣️

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      July 18, 2024 at 7:09 pm

      Hi Millie! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the cake recipe and was able to make it your own 🙂

      Reply
  4. Ramona says

    January 23, 2023 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    I haven’t had a pound cake in a while and I really want to try this out, it looks delicious!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:53 am

      Thank you so much Ramona, hope you get a chance to try it soon 🙂

      Reply
  5. Anna says

    January 23, 2023 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    The cake turned out perfect! It has the most wonderful crumb, so soft and so tender! My husband ate almost a half of the cake in one sitting, it was this good!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:53 am

      Thank you Anna! I fully understand your husband, this cake is hard to resist!

      Reply
  6. Tristin says

    January 22, 2023 at 10:27 pm

    5 stars
    I had never thought to use Sun Drop in cake before! Loved this pound cake recipe!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:52 am

      Thank you Tristin! Happy to hear that you love the pound cake recipe 🙂

      Reply
  7. Moop Brown says

    January 22, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    Growing up in the South, this has always been a comforting and classic recipe for me. Looks tasty.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:51 am

      Thank you so much, hope you get a chance to give it a try!

      Reply
  8. Marie says

    January 22, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a clever way to make a beautiful pound cake! The soda adds a deliciously zesty brightness to it. The glaze is the perfect finishing touch!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:51 am

      Thank you Marie, I agree the soda does add a bit of freshness!

      Reply
  9. Amy says

    January 22, 2023 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    I've never made a cake with soda before and have always wanted to give a recipe like this one a try. It was delicious! It reminded me of a cake my grandma used to make.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:50 am

      Thank you so much Amy, happy you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  10. Dennis says

    January 22, 2023 at 10:28 am

    5 stars
    My family loved your pound cake! And it was my first time trying sundrop and I loved it!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:50 am

      Thank you Chef Dennis! So happy to hear the cake was a success and that you were able to give the soda a try!

      Reply
  11. Katie Crenshaw says

    January 22, 2023 at 9:12 am

    5 stars
    I am so glad I found this recipe! I had a cake similar to this years ago at a bakery. I always wanted to know how to make it. I found this recipe and decided to try it. It tastes just like the cake I remembered! I loved it.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 24, 2023 at 9:49 am

      Thank you Katie, glad to hear that you enjoyed the cake recipe!

      Reply
  12. Ann says

    January 19, 2023 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    I love pound cake! Any substitutions one can use for Sun Drop, if it can't be found? Excited to give this cake a try!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 20, 2023 at 5:42 pm

      Love a good pound cake as well Ann! You can substitute Mountain Dew, Mellow Yellow, or any citrus flavored soda.

      Reply
    • Donna says

      August 12, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      I've also subbed Orange Crush/Sunkist Orange for the Sundrop! Deee-lish!

      Reply
      • LaKita says

        August 13, 2024 at 9:42 am

        Thank you for sharing Donna! That sounds like a great option for orange flavor. Will have to try it soon 🙂

        Reply
  13. Gloria says

    January 16, 2023 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    I love pound cake. Just what I need for these dreary winter days. I love my bundt pans too...cakes look perfect always.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      January 17, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you Gloria!! We love a good pound cake here 🙂

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

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