Chocolate Sauerkraut Surprise Cake

Here's a surprise! Sauerkraut and chocolate baked in a cake is delicious! Once you try it, you'll be a fan!

by Farmers' Almanac Staff Updated: February 7, 2024

Here’s a surprise! Sauerkraut and chocolate baked in a cake is delicious!

When we think of sauerkraut, we think of hot dogs or Reuben sandwiches. But dessert? We can already see you wrinkling your nose. Most people need a little coaxing to try it when they hear what’s in it but if you want to keep it a surprise, we won’t tell! The recipe has been around for generations and another way home cooks had to get creative when certain ingredients were rationed.

It makes the densest, moistest chocolate cake ever. The salt and the vinegar in the sauerkraut make the cake bake up perfectly, delivering on texture. We know you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Chocolate Sauerkraut Surprise Cake

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
1 cup sauerkraut, very finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour one 13×9 cake pan.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter or margarine and sugar until light.
Beat eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla.
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
Add to creamed mixture, alternating with water, and beating after each addition.
Stir in sauerkraut.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes.
Let cake cool in pan.
Frost with sour cream chocolate frosting (recipe below).
Cut into squares to serve.

Keyword chocolate cake recipe, chocolate sauerkraut cake, sauerkraut cake

Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1.5 sticks softened salted butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Place all ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on low to combine. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again, then whip on high for 1 minute. Use to frost sauerkraut cake, above. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Keyword Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting