This super easy Root Beer Float Cake is made with boxed cake mix and cold root beer soda.
It’s a fun and delicious twist to my Orange Crush Cake with a light, yet creamy vanilla-root beer taste in each bite.
My kids love when I make them this cake. In fact, it’s so easy to make that even the kids can whip it up in no time.
Root Beer Float Cake
If you love the creamy vanilla taste of a refreshing root beer float, then you’re going to love this light and fluffy cake.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make this simple Root Beer Float Cake recipe. As always, you can find the full list in the recipe card below.
- White Cake Mix – just the boxed mix, powder only!
- Root Beer – make sure it’s cold!
- Canola Oil
- Eggs
- Dream Whip – you can find this in the baking aisle
How To Make Root Beer Cake
All you need is 5 ingredients to make this light and fluffy cake! That includes the frosting too!
MAKE CAKE MIX Start by combining the cake mix with the root beer, canola oil and eggs in a large bowl. Beat for 30 seconds, then increase the speed and continue beating for an additional 2 minutes. Make sure to whip some air into it for a light and fluffy cake!
BAKE CAKE Pour the cake batter into a lightly greased baking pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for just 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cake cool completely.
You can use either a stand mixer or I prefer to use a hand held mixer to make your cake batter and frosting.
How To Make Root Beer Frosting
The best thing about this recipe is the light and fluffy, two ingredient frosting!
We’re using the classic Dream Whip and cold root beer to make this light and fluffy cake topping.
PRO TIP: Make sure the root beer is cold and preferably still full of carbonation. It’ll help fluff up the frosting and give it a delightful creamy taste. Similar to a root beer float!
Once the cake is cooled to room temperature you can frost with the light and fluffy topping.
I love to add a swirl of whipped cream and cherry on top for that true Root Beer Float experience.
How To Store Cake
This root beer float cake is best when stored in the fridge.
I love this cake pan because it comes with a handy lid that I can use to cover the cake and pop it right in the fridge.
Store cake in the fridge for up to 3 days for best flavor and consistency.
More Easy Summer Cake Recipes
I love whipping up a cake when company comes over, so any of these simple cake recipes are my go-to.
- Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Vanilla Raspberry Sheet Cake
- Lemonade Cake
Don’t forget to add a little bit of whipped cream and a cherry on top to each slice!
This is such a fun cake for parties and summer. You’re going to love it.
Root Beer Float Cake
Ingredients
- 1 White Cake Mix, box
- 2 ¼ cups Root beer, cold, divided
- ¼ cup canola oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2.6 oz Dream Whip, 2 envelopes (whipped topping mix)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13" cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine the cake mix, 1 ¼ cup of cold root beer soda, canola oil and eggs in a large bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase speed to medium for an additional 2 minutes. Batter should be light and fluffy.
- Pour cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
For The Frosting
- Combine 1 cup of the cold root beer soda along with 2 packets of the Dream Whip topping mix in a large bowl and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and continue beating until soft peaks form. Spread the topping over the cooled cake. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Thank you for this creative, yummy recipe! I baked this cake to celebrate my 17yo son’s birthday this past summer. He is root beer obsessed, so when I found this recipe, I knew I had to try it! I even used the link in your post to purchase the cake pan (thanks!). Both the cake and the Dream Whip frosting turned out great! The cake as a whole was not overly sweet, and the root beer flavor was just enough. We loved it and enjoyed it out of the fridge for days after! It was the perfect bday cake for my son!
I make this recipe using different flavors. Today we made cherry float cake and it’s delicious!
I’d highly recommend separating your ingredients between cake and frosting. I did this from my phone and accidentally mixed all the root beer in the batter so now I need to throw everything out and start over. Very inconvenient way of typing of your recipe.
It says divided
I haven’t seen Dream Whip in a store for years and the last time a friend used it for cream puffs it tasted like soap!!! Hoping you can think up a suitable substitute where Dream Whip isn’t available… Instant Vanilla Pudding???
Wonderful recipe! My house smelled terrific while the cake was in the oven. I baked it the day before, then frosted it the day I was going to serve it. Making orange crush cake next week. I prefer 5 ingredient or less recipes that look like you put a lot of effort into but are really very simple. This is definitely a keeper.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the cake Nadine!
It wants the dream whip packets because you mix that with the root beer and then that’s the topping. It wouldn’t mix into the cool whip, you’d just have to put that on top and leave it. The root beer flavor is in the topping if you use the dream whip.
Can you make this as a birthday cake in 8×8 round pans? Or will it slide in the fridge?
Someone gave me this recipe but said to use Cool Whip instead of Dream Whip. Will it work as well??
Good question, anyone have an answer?
Root Beer Cake I whipped up the cake mix, but it was dry after baking. Yes I followed the directions. Sadly the oil I used was too old. No root beer flavor at all. I was unable to make the topping since my store doesn’t carry the dream whip mix you recommended. I did put a dab of cool whip and a cherry on top. My guests ate it ,but we all had a strong after taste of the oil!
I was wondering if you could use sugar-free A&W root beer for this recipe?
I want to make this Root Beer Cake. This is right up my alley, 13 x 9 pan, five ingredients, delicious dessert!! Thank you!!!