7-Up Pound Cake

Ingredients

• 7-Up Pound Cake:
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup Crisco shortening
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon flavoring
• ¾ cup 7-Up soda, room temperature
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 

   1

   Prepare the pan. Thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch tube or bundt pan, coating the center tube and all sides. Do not preheat the oven.

2. 

   2

   Cream the butter, shortening, and sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, Crisco shortening, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4–5 minutes.

3. 

   3

   Add the eggs and lemon flavoring. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the lemon flavoring until evenly incorporated.

4. 

   4

   Alternate the flour and 7-Up. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the 7-Up, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix only until combined.

5. 

   5

   Fill the pan. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Place the pan in a cold oven, then set the temperature to 325°F. Bake for 1 hour 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then turn it onto a wire rack and cool completely, about 2 hours.

6. 

   6

   Frost the cake. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until creamy and spreadable. Spread the frosting over the completely cooled cake, letting it drip naturally down the sides.