Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake
This Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake is packed with bright lemony flavor…and it’s a great dessert for warm Spring days!
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Sunday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week. In years past, Sunday mornings meant lazily sipping on coffee while watching the news and checking the sports scores on my phone. Now, thanks to a certain 2-year-old in the house, my Sunday mornings involve running around making breakfast for him, feeding the dogs and then calming him down when the dogs get too close while he’s eating the aforementioned breakfast. Cartoons provide a nice backdrop to this madness. Sports scores? Yeah, right. I have no idea when my favorite teams play again!
But Sunday mornings then turn into Robbie-Daddy time. (Seriously. That’s what we call it.) I grab my grocery list for the week, and I head out to the grocery store with a toddler in tow. (He loves riding in the cart and helping Daddy “organize” the groceries as I put ’em in the cart.) Last week, our local ShopRite had several great sales, and Robbie and Daddy hit the store early on Sunday morning. As Robbie was organizing the 4 containers of blueberries in the cart (that kid loves berries!), Dad was putting a couple 12-packs of 7UP® down below. You see, I had an idea…and it was a delicious one!
7UP Pound Cake
I decided to use a bunch of those fresh blueberries to make this Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake. But this wouldn’t be just any pound cake. It would be a 7UP pound cake. Have you ever used 7UP to make a cake? It’s like magic! Growing up in the South, 7UP pound cakes made frequent appearances at parties and picnics. And get this…these pound cakes don’t include any leaveners like baking soda or baking powder. Nope, the carbonation from the 7UP does it all! The result is a moist cake with a noticeable lemony flavor thanks to the 7UP.
For this Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake, I wanted to really draw attention to the lemon flavor, so I added a bit of lemon zest into the cake itself. And then there’s all of those fresh blueberries. I mean look at that cake! A slice of this cake somehow disappeared right after this picture was taken. Strange how that happens, right?
The temperatures outside are slowly climbing up, and that means our curling season is coming to an end. After I snagged another piece of this Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake to save for later in the evening, I sent the rest of the cake in with Laura to the curling club. She shared it with her teammates and opponents after the game, and I got several text messages that night asking for the recipe. This cake was a hit! And this cake is super easy to make thanks to the 7UP. (Truthfully, you could leave the blueberries out and just go with a lemon pound cake…the cake is that good by itself!)
Next time you’re at ShopRite, grab a 12-pack of 7UP and make this Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake! Oh, and if you happen to pass a toddler sitting in a cart “organizing” his blueberries, then stop and say hello! Cheers, friends!
Lemon Blueberry 7UP Pound Cake
Ingredients
For the Pound Cake
- 1¼ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2½ cups sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 5 large eggs room temperature
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 7UP
- 2 cups fresh blueberries tossed with 1 Tbsp of flour
For the Lemon Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- {for garnish} 1 Tbsp lemon zest
Instructions
For the Pound Cake
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Lightly grease a standard bundt pan; set pan aside.
- Using an electric mixer, add butter, sugar and lemon zest; mix on medium speed until light and fluffy (~3-4 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low after each addition.
- Add salt and flour 1 cup at a time, mixing on low after each addition.
- Add 7UP and mix on low speed until a smooth batter forms (~1-2 minutes).
- In a separate bowl, toss the blueberries with 1 Tbsp of flour. Fold the blueberries into the cake batter by hand.
- Pour batter into a greased bundt pan. Bake at 325°F for 90-100 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow cake cool in pan for 15 minutes and then invert onto a wire rack until completely cool.
For the Lemon Glaze
- Using a small mixing bowl, whisk together all glaze ingredients except for lemon zest.
- Spoon glaze on top of the pound cake and then sprinkle lemon zest on top before the glaze sets.
If you try this 7UP Pound Cake, let me know in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear how you like it!
Robbie is a kid after my own heart. I love berries and I love organizing things! I’ve never had a 7UP pound cake and I’ve always been dubious of the recipes I’ve seen for them. But if you say they’re good then I totally trust you. This cake might have to make an appearance at my Easter dinner! Because, like I said, I love berries. And lemon. And cake 🙂
So I’m thinking we need to put you and Robbie in a room with a bunch of berries…except they’ll all be mixed together. Your job: sort ’em all and organize them into pretty piles. Either that, or just eat ’em all. 🙂 So 7UP pound cakes really are legit, Kelsie. #Seriously I grew up eating 7UP pound cakes, so they take me back to childhood. Oh, and fun story here: Laura took this cake to the curling club to share. One of her teammates is allergic to dairy (not eggs), and she thought this cake had butter in it. Nope, just 7UP! Hope you’re doing well, my much-warmer-than-me friend!
I read your comment about Laura’s friend. You stated the cake doesn’t have butter in it. But it does according to your posted recipe.
Hey Judy! Hmmm – I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote that comment. This cake certainly does include butter…after all it’s a pound cake! Butter is a key ingredient. 🙂
Mixitipwith7ip.com wants a password!
Ack! You are totally right about MixItUpWith7UP needing a password. Thanks for letting me know, Sherry. I’ll let them know ASAP! In the meantime, I hope you get a chance to make this cake…it’s delicious!! 🙂
I’ve heard that soda can be used in baking, but I’ve never tried it before. Also, I never baked a pound cake because honestly it’s not the most exciting dessert I could imagine. But I must say that you baked a beautiful one – fresh blueberries and lemon made a delicious and refreshing (perfect for spring…which must have gotten lost). And I guess we should thank Robbie because who knows…maybe without him and his organizing skills you would have forgotten to grab the blueberry 😉
Ok, there’s several things that you should reconsider here, Ben. First: pound cakes. Pound cakes are delicious! I love ’em fresh, or after a day or two, I’ll toast the slices lightly. SO good! And, yes, soda can indeed be used to leaven a pound cake. Kinda cool, eh? I agree that Spring got lost this year, but maybe if we set this cake out on the back porch, Spring will decide to show up?? It’s worth a shot! 🙂
Interesting pound cake. I have never tried using 7up or any soda in baked goods. Sounds delicious. I love the lemon and blueberry combination.
Oh, you totally should try using 7UP in a pound cake. I know it sounds crazy, but the soda absolutely functions as the leavener. And the resulting cake is light and moist…and the lemon in this one is SO good! 🙂 Thanks, Dawn!
I think I’ll make this for Easter!
ASHLEY! How are ya, my friend? 🙂 This would indeed make a great Easter cake. In fact, I might have to make another here just for the big day. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope our paths cross soon!
Old Sunday routine??? Even I also cannot follow that, gone are the days. But yes, one thing I ensure that I sleep for 1 hour extra on Sunday. So I feel fresh.
Though I am hearing it for the first time but then, I liked the idea of adding 7up in the cake. Will try it sometime. Thanks for sharing this recipe David. 🙂
Haha! Sleep. What’s that? Friends told me to get extra sleep when Laura was pregnant with Robbie, but I didn’t know what they meant. Now I do. 🙂
So 7UP in a pound cake is really cool, Puja. The soda acts as the leavening agent, and the resulting cake is moist and delicious. Give it a shot sometime! Thanks so much, my friend!
Lemon blueberry is a classic and is great in just about anything. I’ve never had it paired with 7Up though! I’ll bet it is delicious in this cake. Sounds like you had a fun outing Sunday morning!
My Sunday morning grocery trips really are one of the highlights of my week, Kathy! Robbie is my little helper, and he organizes the cart as we go through the store. Then he hands me everything as we check-out. It’s pretty hilarious actually! So 7UP pound cakes are one of my favorite desserts from childhood, and this one turned out really well with the blueberries and lemon. Thanks so much, my friend! Hope your week is going well so far!
I used to make 7up cake all the time when I was growing up. Throw a few blueberries into the mix and my mouth is already watering. As much as I am looking forward to having kids I’m having truly enjoying do what I want whenever I want, but I don’t think it will last for too much longer lol. I really hope I don’t have to give up my sports addiction but it would be worth it. Ahhh Robbie and Daddy time, that sounds fun.
So having kids (a kid, in my case) does indeed change things. At least for the first couple of years. But then they reach an age where they’re old enough to start helping…and then it’s awesome! I mean his “help” isn’t really help in the store, but I absolutely love it when we head out together to do our grocery shopping. It’s 2 guys doing their thing on a Sunday morning! 🙂 Also, 7UP cakes are delicious, right?? Thanks, Mary!!
Robbie is such a kick! I hope I get to meet him in person some day…
I’ve never tried 7up cake, but it sounds amazing! I bet it really gives the cake a terrific texture.
Oh, he’d love to meet you, too, Marissa! Well, to be fair, he’d probably be shy for a few minutes and then he’d drag you off to show you his puzzles or something. 🙂 So 7UP cakes are really a cool creation. They sound like they shouldn’t work since there’s no leavening agents, but the 7UP does the work! Give it a shot sometime!
I think that you must be a pretty good multitasker for taking Robbie with you when you go food shopping.. I feel like I have to concentrate at the food store, otherwise I walk out & I forgot half the things I was supposed to get!
Oh geez, you have no idea, Nicole! I’ve got one eye on the list and the aisles while I’ve got another eye on Robbie. Sometimes we sing as we go through the store. (Now if that’s not a sight on a Sunday morning, then I don’t know what is!) He’s always got a snack in hand…because heading out with a toddler without a snack is just plain silly. Haha! It’s all about the detailed list to keep me on track.
Nope, I’ve definitely never used 7UP to make a cake! But I’m totally ingrigued now because you don’t need to use any leaveners like baking soda or baking powder. That’s genius! I must try that. I take it, it doesn’t make any difference if you were to use the full fat or the diet version of 7UP? Have you tried using yogurt in a cake? I’ve got a lemon blueberry cake I’m putting together at the moment using yogurt. I might try the 7UP thing in it, instead of baking powder. That’s why I’m asking. Thanks David. Excellent recipe! 🙂
Yes! 7UP pound cakes are pretty darned cool, Neil. I know it seems like they shouldn’t work as no leaveners are involved. But they do work! And I’ve actually used both regular and diet 7UP…no difference. I think the carbonation is the key, and both have that part checked off. And as far as yogurt, I don’t believe I have…although I often use sour cream to keep a cake moist. Sour cream and yogurt are interchangeable in cakes, so yes…use yogurt! And try the 7UP thing, too, just because it’s pretty cool. 🙂
I’ve had a Coca Cola cake before but never ever a 7UP Blueberry and Lemon pound cake! Wow – look at that texture without any baking powder/soda! I don’t blame ya for sneaking a piece – I would have snuck 3! Laura’s teammates are a lucky crew to have gotten to feast on this – bet your teammates are gonna be reading and you might have to remake this for them too – and, please oh please set a slice on your windowsill – I’m sending my drone for it! 🙂
Yes! It really is amazing that soda can be used in place of baking powder/soda. And the texture comes out so well, too. Yum! And if I set a slice on my windowsill right now, it might be frozen by the time your drone arrived…haha. Thanks so much, Shashi! 🙂
Grocery store on a weekend with a toddler? That’s got to be quite the weekly adventure! I’m so surprised that carbonation will leaven a cake – how cool!
Hah! Yes, a grocery store trip with a toddler is quite an adventure for sure…that’s why we go early on Sunday morning when we still have the place mostly to ourselves! And, yes, carbonation alone will leaven a cake. Science at work! 🙂
That is so awesome that sundays are a special time with your kid, and this cake you created sounds absolutely delicious…superb recipe
Yes, I absolutely love my Sunday morning shopping trips with the little guy. Sometimes they’re challenging as he’s a toddler, but I still enjoy the time! Thanks so much for stopping by, Albert! Cheers!
Looks incredible! I love fresh berries in baked goods – so delicious!
Thanks so much, Melissa! I agree…I love baking with fresh fruit! 🙂
Now that’s my kind of cake! I’ve had a similar mountain dew cake that uses the carbonation as well. Now this looks soooo good too though! Blueberries in any dessert lemony dessert is gonna have me asking for the recipe too! All I need is a bundt pan now!
Interesting! I love how carbonation can leaven a cake, but then again I’m kinda nerdy like that when it comes to baking science. I kinda want to see a slow motion video of what happens inside the cake as it bakes! So this cake could totally be baked in a traditional cake pan, too, but bundt pans are just more fun. This is your excuse to go get a bundt pan this weekend, Matt! 🙂
Looks great – Adding to my list of things to make, love blueberries, great choice Robbie !!!
You should take Robbie blueberry picking – Sunday am grocery will be a breeze after that
OMG a 2yr old in a huge blueberry patch LOL, my friend and I did not get many blueberries that day !
thanks again for the recipe
Mar
Funny that you mention blueberry picking with Robbie as we totally did that last year! I don’t think I ever got around to posting the photos, but I have one photo included in an upcoming blueberry post. Robbie LOVED picking blueberries. Of course, I think he ate more than what made it into his bucket. We’ll work on that this year…if it ever warms up. And, yes, this cake is definitely worth putting on your list to make. So good!!
Can you use Diet 7Up?
Hey Lisa! I have only ever made this cake using regular 7UP. I suspect the sugar content is necessary, although I can’t say for certain. It might still work using diet…I just haven’t tried it myself. If you do try it, let me know? I love this cake, and it’s a great summer dessert! Happy baking!
I haven’t made this yet but when I saw it all I could think of was “what! Another good looking blueberry AND lemon recipe!” It is my favorite fruit combo as I especially love that combo in Special K cereal. Husband just loves anything blueberry so this checks off 2 of our favorite food choices. Because I am an insulin dependent person with diabetes, my whole life (and number and dosage of my injections per day) depends on solely eating countable low carbs but not that Keto diet which is trending right now. Someone asked about using sugar free 7-Up and that is the same route that I have to take. It was my thought that I don’t think the lack of real sugar would be a problem. My gut feeling is that the pop would be dependent on the carbonation of it and I can’t see that switching them out would cause a problem as they both have it but maybe I’m wrong. I also need to switch out all of the rest of the high carb items too. This has usually been successful in all of the other recipes I’ve tried (have all my fingers crossed!). If substitutions don’t work, husband will have a whole new cake for himself!
Hey Mertie! I’m so glad you stumbled across this recipe – it really is a good one! Lemon and blueberry is such a tasty combination. I totally understand your need to change the ingredients for diabetes. Unfortunately I can’t offer any advice or input on how the substitutions will work. I have my fingers crossed for you, though! Let me know how it turns out?? Happy baking!