This easy root beer float cake brings all those happy childhood memories back to the table. I don't know who first decided to pour root beer over vanilla ice cream, but I'd sure like to shake their hand. Root beer floats were one of summer's simple pleasures when I was growing up.
If you're feeding a crowd, headed to a potluck, or just looking for a fun dessert that makes people smile, this Root Beer Float Cake is about as easy as it gets.
Love easy cakes that look like you fussed (but you didn't?) Try these:
One bite and folks start telling stories about drive-ins, family picnics, and summers that seemed to last forever. This Root Beer Float Cake is a nostalgic dessert that starts with a simple cake mix and gets its unforgettable flavor from root beer and the magic ingredient- a splash of Watkins root beer extract.
The result is a moist, crowd-pleasing 13×9 cake that makes you feel like a kid again. Let's go back in time to a hot summer evening when the sun was slipping down on the horizon.
A&W drive-ins were renowned for frosty mugs filled to the brim with creamy vanilla ice cream drenched in their crisp, fizzy homemade root beer. It was the perfect finish to a day at the swimming pool or a baseball game. Ah, the memories! This delicious cake captures the nostalgic vibes of these old-school drive-ins.
The ingredients are simple. This 13 x 9 cake starts with a white cake mix. Eggs, oil, root beer, and Watkins root beer extract give the moist, delicious cake that unmistakable flavor we remember.
You can buy Watkins products at Menards, Walmart, or online. McCormicks also makes a root beer extract. This ingredient is a must for full flavor!
It's fun to watch how excited all the ingredients get when you pour the root beer into the bowl with the cake mix. The whole thing erupts with fizz, and the unmistakable aroma of root beer fills the air.
Mix the batter and pour it into a 13×9-inch pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Then bake it in a 350-degree oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges pull away from the pan slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely on a rack before topping it with a thick layer of amazing root beer cream cheese frosting.
The recipe makes a lot of frosting; it goes on nice and thick, the way cream cheese frosting should! It reminds me of the foamy top of a root beer float, and the flavor does not disappoint!
The plain white frosting seemed to beg for just a little touch of fancy (you know me and garnishes!), so I added some brown chocolate sprinkles! This cake is fantastic, and it really does taste like a root beer float!
I got so swept away in nostalgia that I had to play with this cake a little bit. My first summer job back in the day was working as a carhop at a rival drive-in called Dog 'n Suds! We didn't wear roller skates, but we sure had the change dispensers!
Thanks for joining me on a trip down memory lane to those treasured moments at the classic drive-in restaurants like A&W or Dog & Suds. The delightful root beer floats were iconic to the summers of my young self.
This cake belongs on the table at your next picnic, family reunion, weekend at the lake, or your Labor Day celebration. I hope you let it become part of the nostalgic atmosphere that makes your summer evenings extra special!
Here is a recipe for an easy, yummy root beer-flavored cake with thick root beer-flavored cream cheese frosting!
We do love cake around here (although, personally, I'll always be a pie girl- check out my pie recipes), but here are some of my most popular cake recipes.
Almond Joy Cake - A delicious poke cake that starts with a cake mix and a pudding mix. All the flavors of an almond joy candy bar in a wonderfully moist cake topped with toasted coconut and almonds.
Easy Lemon Cake (my favorite) - A moist, dense cake with a tart, crunchy, lemony glaze. This recipe has been around since the 1960s!
Mexican Chocolate Cake - This is a recipe for a super moist half-sheet Mexican sheet cake that's spiced with cinnamon and topped with pecan-studded pour-on chocolate icing. try this one when you're serving a crowd!
If you liked this root beer float cake recipe, you're my people! If you enjoyed a post, I'd love it if you would leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review or a comment. It really helps my little business. ❤❤
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.
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Oh my! My aunt and uncle owned a Dog’n Suds in Antigo, WI! Loved eating there!
Oh how fun!! There are still about 20 Dog 'n uds operating around the country and the root beer is still sold through distributors!