Recipe for 'deliciously moist' chocolate cake uses no eggs, milk or butter (2024)

FAQs

Does water or milk make cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

Using a 1/4 cup of milk or yogurt in place of eggs is perfect for baked goods where moisture is key, such as cakes or muffins.

WHAT SUBSTITUTE IS BEST TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS IN CAKE? Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

Making your cakes with water instead of milk results in stronger, purer chocolate flavor. Water: the foundation of life, the substance that comprises 70% of our planet, and the thing that makes chocolate cakes even more chocolatey.

OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL

Olive and vegetable oils can be swapped out for butter in many recipes and can help create moist, tender baked goods. Cookies and cakes baked with olive oil have a light, fruity flavor, while vegetable oil is neutral oil so it doesn't impart any flavor.

Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness. It also coats the flour uniformly, which keeps the layers from being tough even if the batter is overbeaten.

Vinegar and baking soda

They're great when used to bake quick bread, cakes and cupcakes, as the mixture is light and airy. You can use 1 teaspoon (7 grams) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of vinegar to replace 1 egg.

The fact is, adding eggs produces a superior cake. Proteins in the egg help provide the cake's structure, while the fats in the yolk make it richer and keep the texture becoming chewy. The yolk also contains emulsifiers that help the ingredients blend together smoothly.

There's a simple trick to making chocolate desserts taste even better. Sure, cocoa powder and chopped chocolate give anything a rich, chocolate flavor. But if you want that flavor to be more complex and intense, add a little coffee to the recipe.

Substitute the water.

My go to is Buttermilk when I swap water in cake mixes. But I have used evaporated milk, which is canned milk if I can't get fresh buttermilk.

What does milk do in a cake? ›

One of the main roles of milk in baking is to provide moisture. It can help to keep baked goods from becoming too dry and crumbly, and can also add tenderness to the texture. In addition to adding moisture, milk can also help to create a softer crumb in breads and cakes.

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

"Milk is good for hydration, but water is a better option purely for hydration," Dr. Casaubon says, adding that water is typically the smarter option for those with diabetes, or whose doctor has prescribed a lower caloric intake, since milk can be high in calories and carbohydrates.

For my classic pound cakes, I swear by a little bit of whole milk. It makes the cake so moist and tender and plays well with the other ingredients. Milk should be at room temperature.

Add an Extra Egg

Most cake mixes call for two to three eggs. Just one more egg will add extra moisture, fat, and a little protein, which means the cake will be softer and less likely to overbake and dry out in the oven.