I have a fondness for recipes that incorporate unexpected ingredients. Whether it’s a kitchen staple that elevates gravy, a condiment that jazzes up grilled cheese, or a typically discarded liquid that can tenderize turkey, I am willing to experiment with any method to enhance my home cooking. When I stumbled upon the Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake recipe, submitted by Jane Hammer, it piqued my interest immediately. This unique recipe involves adding drained and chopped sauerkraut to chocolate cake batter to create a moist and flavorful crumb. In a playful attempt to prank my husband, Gavin, who dislikes sauerkraut in desserts, I decided to surprise him with this cake. However, the prank backfired splendidly as Gavin found the cake to be delicious.
Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake is a delightful creation where the addition of tangy fermented cabbage to the batter results in a soft texture and enhances the chocolate flavor. As the cake bakes, the sauerkraut loses its taste and gives the appearance of coconut flakes in the cake. Topped with cream cheese frosting, the secret ingredient remained undetected by Gavin, who complimented the cake without knowing about the unconventional addition. The history of sauerkraut cake is shrouded in mystery, with some suggesting its existence predates World War II, while others attribute its invention to a resourceful school lunch lady in Chicago. The cake gained the moniker “Don’t Ask Cake” due to its ability to surprise and delight diners who are unaware of the unique ingredient.
To make this intriguing cake, gather standard baking ingredients such as butter, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chopped sauerkraut, and buttermilk. Combine the dry ingredients, mix the sauerkraut with buttermilk, cream the sugars and vanilla, beat in the eggs, and then alternate adding the sauerkraut and flour mixtures. Bake the batter in a prepared 9×13 pan at 350°F for about 45 minutes, then allow it to cool before frosting.
The Allrecipes community has expressed positive feedback about this cake, with users praising its moistness and flavor. Despite initial skepticism, many have found the Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake to be a delightful surprise. To enhance the cake, ensure you use plain sauerkraut and chop it finely, avoiding any additional seasonings or spices.
Overall, Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake offers a unique twist on traditional desserts, proving that unexpected ingredients can lead to delicious outcomes.
The chocolate sauerkraut cake is made with just cabbage, water, and salt. After draining it well, chop the cabbage as finely as you can. When it comes to frosting the cake, although the sauerkraut cake is flavorful on its own (reminiscent of chocolate zucchini cake), it is recommended to generously slather it with your favorite frosting. Gavin particularly enjoyed it with cream cheese frosting, but a German chocolate frosting would also be a delightful choice (and could help camouflage the sauerkraut flavor if desired).
To ensure a rich and deep chocolate taste in the cake, it is crucial to invest in good quality cocoa powder. Enhancing the texture of the cake can be achieved by adding in additional elements. For instance, one reviewer incorporated 1/2 cup of butterscotch baking chips, although chocolate chips can serve as a suitable alternative. As shared by a member of the Allrecipes community, “The only addition was 1/2 cup butterscotch chips, and I used 2 cake dishes instead of one large. The cake is incredibly moist and possesses a delicious flavor. There is no trace of sauerkraut taste at all.”
For the full recipe of the delectable Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake, and to explore related variations such as the German Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake and other unique cake recipes you may not have encountered before, you can refer to the original article on ALLRECIPES.
