The 2-Ingredient Cake So Easy a 4-Year-Old Can Make It

Just combine spice cake mix and ginger ale—really.

By
Molly Adams
Molly Adams
Molly Adams
A self-proclaimed food-pusher, Molly Adams has been cooking for the loved ones for as long as she can remember. She is a classically-trained chef with a background in catering, private cheffing and food media. Her experience includes recipe development, recipe testing and food writing. 
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Published September 19, 2025
Molly Adams
A slice of soda cake topped with powdered sugar on a blue plate accompanied by a fork

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

My grandmother’s recipe box is one of my most prized kitchen possessions. Most of the recipes are written in her familiar handwriting, but others were sent via postcard by friends and family. Going through them feels like going back in time. There are a few relics amongst the gems, including an entire stack of different Jell-O molds and aspics, signs of culinary trends gone by. 

One recipe in the bunch has fascinated me since I was a little kid. It’s called 7Up Cake, and there are just two ingredients listed on the card: a box of Duncan Hines lemon cake mix and a 12-ounce can of 7Up. It always reads to me like a late-night infomercial. Could this really work, or was it simply too good to be true?

I decided to try it, but with a fall-forward flavor profile. My kids like spice cake, so I planned to use a box of that mixed with ginger ale. The truth is, I actually allowed my four-year-old to do all the recipe testing here, which should tell you everything you need to know about the recipe. It could not be more simple. 

Sliced soda cake in a baking tray alongside a spice cake mix box and a can of soda

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

The Magic of Soda Cake

The only trick to the magic is to slowly add the soda and whisk as you go. The soda will interact with the leavener in the cake mix right away, bubbling and fizzing like crazy, so it’s important to add a little soda at a time until you have an evenly mixed batter. For someone who has a tendency to overcomplicate kitchen projects and fine tune recipes for days on end, I could not believe how perfectly this cake came out the very first time.

It had a beautiful golden brown color, an even rise, and a light and fluffy texture. I baked it in a 9x13-inch pan which makes it great for after-school snacking or for a quick and easy dessert. My kids are not big on frosting, and the cake is plenty sweet as-is, but a simple dusting of powdered sugar is all you need to make it presentable. If you prefer a frosted cake, simply top it with your favorite store-bought frosting.

The only question is: what version should we make next? Some ideas for fall include gingerbread with ginger beer, pumpkin cake with cream soda, and dark chocolate cake with ginger ale.

A slice of soda cake with powdered sugar on a plate with a fork cutting a piece

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

More Easy Retro Cakes To Try

Soda Spice Cake

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Cooling Time: 20 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Servings 15 servings
Yield 1 (9x13-inch) cake
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box Spice Cake Mix (I use Duncan Hines)

  • 1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

    Lightly coat a 9x13-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. Make the cake batter:

    In a large bowl, add the cake mix. Slowly pour in the soda, whisking as you go, until all of the soda has been incorporated and the batter is even in color and consistency. Scape it into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer.

  3. Bake and cool the cake:

    Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick or skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving. 

    Once cooled completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry spot for up to 3 days.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
139 Calories
1g Fat
31g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 15
Amount per serving
Calories 139
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 256mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 74mg 6%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 17mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.