Mountain Dew Cake Recipe: An Easy Bundt Cake How-To

Okay, so real talk — if you’ve never made a mountain dew cake before, you are seriously missing out on one of the most fun, funky, “wait, that actually works?!” desserts out there. I know, I know, putting soda pop in a cake sounds a little wild, but trust me on this one. This mountain dew cake recipe is a total crowd pleaser, it’s ridiculously easy, and it turns a plain old box cake mix into something with incredible moisture and the best tender crumb you’ve ever poked a wooden pick into. Grab your favorite soda (yes, Mtn Dew, obviously) and let’s get baking!

Why Mountain Dew Cake Is Such A Fun Way To Bake

Can we talk about how genius this whole soda-in-cake thing is? Using a citrus-flavored soda instead of water or milk is such a great way to punch up a boring boxed cake mix, and it’s honestly a fun way to surprise your family at dinner. The carbonation helps create a moist cake with incredible moisture (I said it twice because it’s THAT good), and the citrus flavor from the soda pop plays so nicely with lemon or yellow cake mix flavors. It’s basically a simple recipe hack that tastes like you tried way harder than you actually did. Ally Hartman-style baking hacks like this one are exactly why I love boxed cake mix in the first place — low effort, big payoff, be still my heart.

What You’ll Need For This Mountain Dew Bundt Cake

This mountain dew bundt cake keeps things super simple, which is exactly how I like my dessert recipes. You’ll need a boxed lemon cake mix (or yellow cake mix if that’s what’s calling your name), a box of instant pudding mix, some eggs, oil, sour cream, and of course a full can of Mountain Dew soda. That’s it! No fancy equipment either — just a large mixing bowl, an electric mixer or hand mixer, and your trusty bundt cake pan. If you’re into other nostalgic, nutty-easy desserts, this one pairs so well in spirit with the Taco Bell cinnamon twists copycat — comfort food vibes for days.

How To Make This Simple Cake Step By Step

First things first, spray your prepared bundt pan generously with cooking spray — nobody wants a beautiful cake stuck to the pan, that’s basically a baking crime. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, instant pudding mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, and your cup of Mountain Dew. Beat on medium speed with your electric mixer until the cake batter is smooth and dreamy. Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake according to the box directions, checking with a wooden pick near the end. Let the cake cool in the pan for about ten minutes before flipping it onto a wire rack or cooling rack. This step is non-negotiable, my friends — patience gives you that gorgeous crackly top instead of a crumbly mess.

The Simple Glaze That Makes It A Showstopper

Honestly, the best part of this whole mountain dew cake recipe might be the glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar with a splash more Mountain Dew soda until you get a pourable, glossy simple glaze, then drizzle it generously over the top of the cake once it’s fully cooled. The citrus flavor really shines through here, giving major lemon bundt cake energy even though it started as a humble box cake mix. Feel free to get fancy with a dollop of whipped cream on the side, because honestly, when has whipped cream ever hurt anyone? If you love playing with glazes and toppings, you’ll probably geek out over my chocolate ganache tutorial too — completely different flavor, same “why is this so easy” energy.

Storing, Swapping, And Making It Your Own

Store your mountain dew cake in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, though let’s be honest, it rarely lasts that long in my house. Want to make it a little different? Swap the soda for Dr. Pepper, root beer, or another lemon-lime soda for a totally new spin, or use a chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a rich, dark twist. This awesome treat works for literally any special occasion — potlucks, birthdays, random Tuesdays. It’s proof that dessert recipes don’t have to be complicated to be memorable, kind of like how chocolate dipped macaroons feel fancy but are secretly a breeze. Go make this cake, you guys — you absolutely have to.

Mountain Dew Cake Recipe

Yield: 12 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Cooling Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

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This Mountain Dew Cake is a sweet, citrusy Southern-style treat made with real Mountain Dew soda baked right into a lemon cake batter, then soaked in a buttery Mountain Dew glaze for extra moisture and flavor. It's a nostalgic, unexpected twist on a classic Bundt cake that's always a hit at potlucks and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

For the Cake

• 1 box lemon cake mix (15.25 oz)
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
• 4 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup Mountain Dew soda
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional, for extra citrus punch)

For the Glaze

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup Mountain Dew soda

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan thoroughly, making sure to coat every groove.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and pudding mix. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, Mountain Dew, and lemon extract if using. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth and well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
5. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, sugar, and Mountain Dew. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly, and let it boil for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Using a skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over the top of the still-warm cake (while it's in the pan). Slowly pour about half of the warm glaze over the cake, letting it soak in.
7. After 15 minutes, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate. Poke a few more holes and pour the remaining glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
8. Cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour, to let the glaze fully set.

Notes

Let the soda go slightly flat before using to reduce excessive fizzing in the batter. For extra flavor, add the zest of one lemon to the batter. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.