Sweet Southern Sun Drop Cake Recipe

Written by Published on Updated on December 1, 2022 in Desserts, Recipes
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A Delicious Southern Treat!

Oh, Sun Drop Cake! Let me apologize for the terrible photography. I made this back in 2013 when I was really just getting started blogging. I will be updating the photos soon. The recipe practically went viral last year and my credit link to the recipe on the blog was stripped from all of the shares. It is frustrating when you work so hard only to have something stolen. Most of the posts were taken down after some research and notification to the person who posted without proper credit, but I ended up with an ugly watermark to temporarily cease the problem.

Sun Drop is a delicious citrus-flavored soda that was created in the South. Where, exactly, is a little sketchy but regardless, it’s a staple around these parts. As of 2011, the delicious concoction is available nationwide. If it’s not in your area, put in a request.

I have also made an Instant Pot version of this cake. It’s quick, easy, and tasty, although this recipe is still my favorite. The IP version is a little more dense and doesn’t get the beautiful golden color that you can achieve in the oven.

This cake can be made with any type of soda but you will thoroughly enjoy the taste you get from a Sun Drop!

Southern Sun Drop Cake

Sun Drop Cake

 

Yield: 12 - 14 servings

Sweet Southern Sun Drop Cake

Sweet Southern Sun Drop Cake

Discover why a Southern Sun Drop Cake is a staple here in Tennessee! This sweet, lemon-y cake is perfect for all of your favorite events from anniversaries to birthdays to just because!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box Yellow or Lemon Cake Mix
  • 3 Eggs
  • ¾ cup Oil
  • 10 oz Sun Drop

Glaze

  • 3 oz Sun Drop
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350 F

    Mix up cake mix with eggs and oil.

    Add in Sun Drop

    Spray pan and pour in cake mix.

    Bake 45-50 minutes (depends on your pan)

    Beat glaze ingredients together and pour over cake

    Serve and Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 306Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 0gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Shelly
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts

34 Comments

  1. Tracers
    January 1, 2017 at 4:02 PM  ·  

    This looks amazing!!!!

  2. Amber Ludwig
    May 1, 2017 at 9:40 AM  ·  

    This sounds delish!! Perfect for summer occasions!!

  3. Nicole R
    May 1, 2017 at 9:58 AM  ·  

    It looks delish, but I have never heard of that pop. Where can it be bought? Can it work with 7-up or sprite? Looking forward to making it

  4. Darcy Koch
    May 1, 2017 at 2:52 PM  ·  

    This looks and sounds delicious. Yellow cake is a favorite of mine. I will copy this recipe down and attempt to make it.

  5. Jasmine P
    May 1, 2017 at 3:32 PM  ·  

    This looks delicious!!

  6. Lynne B
    May 1, 2017 at 3:48 PM  ·  

    I’ve never heard of Sun Drop cake before but it sounds yummy, especially in the summer!

  7. Margaret Appel
    May 1, 2017 at 4:53 PM  ·  

    The cake looks beautiful & yummy too. Have never heard of Sundrop, but then Atlanta is a big Coke town. Will have to check the grocery soda aisle for this one, it’s probably there and we just missed it. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

  8. Heather D
    May 2, 2017 at 4:18 PM  ·  

    This looks like a cake I could actually make!

  9. Mande stedman
    May 2, 2017 at 5:42 PM  ·  

    This looks delicious! I have to try and find some sun drop when I’m on vacation in South Carolina next week! I’ve never seen it here in Ohio.

  10. PyT Auntie
    May 2, 2017 at 6:45 PM  ·  

    My mum is going to LOVE this!

  11. Victoria Scott
    May 3, 2017 at 12:45 PM  ·  

    This looks so delicious and super easy!! I can’t wait to make it and see!

  12. Darlene Carbajal
    May 5, 2017 at 6:15 PM  ·  

    That cake looks really good!

  13. Rachael DeBates
    May 6, 2017 at 7:58 PM  ·  

    gonna make my boyfriend make this for me!

  14. Katy
    May 7, 2017 at 12:42 AM  ·  

    Yum! I live in California but remember Sun Drop when I lived in Oklahoma and visited my Nana! It is soooo good! I’m definitely calling around to family to get them to send some to me to make this cake!

  15. Barbara P.
    May 7, 2017 at 10:26 AM  ·  

    Never heard of this cake before. We love to try new recipes and this looks like it would be very good. Thanks for sharing.

  16. barbee decker
    May 8, 2017 at 12:51 PM  ·  

    can’t wait to make this cake! looks amazing.

  17. Crissie Woolard
    May 8, 2017 at 4:51 PM  ·  

    This looks like it would be delicious. Thanks for the ideas and tips.

  18. Susan P.
    May 10, 2017 at 4:55 PM  ·  

    I live in Florida and have never heard of Sun Drop. I found a blurb that says it is citrus based and introduced in 1928 in St. Louis, MO.

  19. DEBBIE EDGAR
    May 11, 2017 at 7:28 AM  ·  

    all I can say is YUMMMY

  20. Sandra Watts
    May 11, 2017 at 8:30 AM  ·  

    Love the brightness of it. It looks like a sun drop.

  21. Lisa Queen
    May 11, 2017 at 1:50 PM  ·  

    Yummy! Being from the South, we love Sun Drop! I am going to definitely try this, I remember eating a Sun Drop Cake when I was younger. Thanks for the recipe! Got it pinned.

  22. gloria patterson
    May 11, 2017 at 2:46 PM  ·  

    That is a real southern dessert! My sister lives in Nashville and she would never come to WV because we did not have SUN DROPS.

    Have a ate a lot of cakes almost like this

  23. ERICA WEAVER
    May 12, 2017 at 7:05 AM  ·  

    I LOVE BUT CAKES THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD….

  24. Katy Ann
    May 12, 2017 at 7:44 AM  ·  

    I’ve never heard of Sun Drop, but if it’s as good as it sounds – I bet this cake is wonderful!! Now for me to figure out how to make it gluten & dairy free 🙂

  25. Jerry
    June 16, 2019 at 9:41 AM  ·  

    THANKS… from a non baker… wanted something special for my wife on our 29th anniversary…. It was easy to make and not overpowering either….Thanks

  26. Tiffany Hook
    July 5, 2020 at 1:39 AM  ·  

    Thanks for sharing it sounds yummy

  27. laurie damrose
    July 6, 2020 at 3:28 PM  ·  

    Looks yumtastic and I want to try that soda.

  28. Debbie P
    July 17, 2020 at 9:55 PM  ·  

    I have never heard of this but it looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to make this.

  29. Debbie P
    July 17, 2020 at 9:55 PM  ·  

    I’ve never heard of this but it looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to make this.

  30. AuntySuzany
    July 28, 2020 at 6:47 AM  ·  

    Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing with us!

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