Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
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Dense, fudge-y chocolate cake made with sauerkraut – yes, sauerkraut -slathered in sour cream chocolate frosting.
Best Chocolate cake I have ever eaten!
I can almost hear you right now. “EW! SAUERKRAUT in a chocolate cake?!?!”
All I have to say to you is this … Don’t knock it til you try it!
I felt the same way the first time I heard it … how can it be good? What’s the point?
Well, the point is, it makes the fudgiest, dense, moist cake EVER — I have made this cake twice in the last month, and nobody, not one person said anything except “This is the best chocolate cake I have EVER had!”
It is slathered in rich sour cream chocolate frosting, that is so dang good, it’s hard to not just eat it with a spoon!
Frank’s Kraut Works Great
I have been fortunate to have a working relationship with Frank’s Kraut. I was led to their recipe site, sauerkrautrecipes.com to check out some of their customers tried and true recipes. When I saw the “Dessert Section” I thought no way …dessert and sauerkraut in the same sentence?
One day I made this cake when the kids were in school. When they got home I cut a big slice and gave each of them a fork. I asked them, “If you had to guess who sponsored this post, who would you guess?” They were eating, bite after bite, Yumm’ing and Mmm’ing the whole time.
They guessed about every chocolate company known to man, and each time I said no. My oldest who ate about half the cake himself said “I don’t even really like chocolate cake, and I can’t stop eating it! Just tell us already!” My youngest, being the comedian she is, says “its probably like sauerkraut or something!”
BINGO! None of them could believe it!
I made this cake for my Mom and her twin sister’s 65th birthday last weekend. We had a pool party and had about 27 people here. I made two cakes, this one, and a Banana Split Jelly Roll. I didn’t tell anyone that there was sauerkraut in the cake, but I will tell you there was none left. For those of you who came, and are reading this now … SURPRISE!
My Mom (right) and her twin sister (left) after they had blown out the candles.
Perfect day for a pool party!
Why Does Sauerkraut Work Well With Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake?
Ok, I knew you were going to ask this question. How did I know that? Because anyone in their right mind would have to ask this question. Sauerkraut and chocolate? Are you kidding me? Say chocolate and hazelnuts and everyone goes “Nutella!” They get it. But suggest sauerkraut?
People will start asking if you are pregnant and wondering why you get such strange cravings!
Sauerkraut And Chocolate Better Than Peanut Butter And Chocolate?
Just for the record, this is a dessert that it is best to say little about. When folks see it, then their eyes and nose and taste buds will answer all the most important questions. As soon as everyone starts saying “This is the best chocolate cake EVER!”… Well, that is when you want to let them know.
A moment sooner and you risk having to eat that whole dang cake yourself! (Not going to lie. It will be a challenge to decide every time which way is the best way to go. Tell all. Leave it a secret. The choice is yours!)
The Reasons Sauerkraut Works With Chocolate Cake
You like sour cream and chocolate right? So many great desserts depend on that “sour” element to be unique. Think Cheesecakes for example. Or chocolate ganache. The sour element is what works so well sitting between, binding the bitter and the sweet of chocolate. Hopefully, you get where I am going with that…
Yes! The sauerkraut adds not only the “sour” of the kraut but also the saltiness. The combo does wonders for making the chocolate taste more chocolaty. It holds back the sweetness from being too sweet. Trust me, it isn’t like you are tossing the sauerkraut onto a hot dog at the ballpark.
Another Sauerkraut Benefit
The other benefit sauerkraut adds is the brininess helps add and retain moisture. Therefore, it helps create a more spongy, moist and perfect cake batter.
Just like the sour cream in the frosting, it gives that slight twist on the flavor that makes it so good!
Do you love to bake like me? I have all sorts of great cake recipes and frosting recipes here on my blog!
^Love it? Pin it!^
Don’t forget where you found this Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake recipe! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go!
And of course, you know how much I Love Sauerkraut! You, too? Want to know everything you can about it? Where it comes from? How it’s made? And you know there are tons of Sauerkraut recipes in my Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut. Check it out, today!
I urge you to try this recipe yourself and see just how utterly amazing it is! Enjoy! 
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Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- FOR THE CAKE:
- ¾ cup sauerkraut drained and chopped fine
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- FOR THE FROSTING:
- 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips or squares
- 8 Tablespoons. butter
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease, and flour two 9" round cake pans.
- Cream together sugar, butter, and vanilla. Beat eggs in one at a time.
- Sift all dry ingredients together. (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder)
- Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with water.
- Add sauerkraut mix thoroughly.
- Pour into prepared pans.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Frost with Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting: To Prepare the frosting: Melt the chocolate with butter on low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and pour it into a mixer. Blend in the sour cream, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add the sugar until it is your desired spreading consistency. Whip until smooth.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
That looks like the best chocolate cake in the world! I love the ‘secret ingredient’! This is a must try!
I’m so hooked! I just happen to have sauerkraut in the fridge that needs using right now. So this week end I just may have to give this a shot. I know you wouldn’t lie to me…
You know I wouldn’t lie!! I am anxious to hear what you think, Diane!
I love sauerkraut but have never heard of it in cake! I am totally intrigued, it looks amazing!
Justine, You have to try it to believe it! It is so dang good!
Using sauerkraut in baking is so cool! Does the helpful bacteria get cooked out during baking though? Thank you for sharing!
Not to my knowledge it doesn’t? I can sure check into it for you!
This cake looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing.
I made this over the holiday and it was a huge hit!! Everyone couldn’t believe the secret ingredient! Thanks so much for sharing. I had a lot of fun making this and watching people enjoy it too!
It’s MY FAVORITE!! I am so happy you enjoyed it too!
Ok I’m going to try this recipe ,and will let you know if it’s a hit ,I also have a sour Kraut simple recipe my self and I can share if interested …
My mother first found a recipe for chocolate saurkraut cake in the late 60’s in the local newspaper. It explained that the Chicago public school system had been given a surplus of sauerkraut by the federal government, and they didn’t know what to do with it. One of the school system’s lunch ladies incorporated the sauerkraut into a chocolate cake that was made at the school. She started making this cake for name on my 5th birthday and it was my standard birthday cake for the rest of my mother’s baking years. I’m not sure the recipe is identical to the one she made, but it comes very close. I LOVE chocolate saurkraut cake!
What an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!
Wow, I would have never thought to use sauerkraut in a cake. What a great idea.
Honestly, it does sound a bit weird, but I’m game!
I would have never thought you could get a cake from sauerkraut! Boy, was I wrong! This was hands down delicious; the perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth!
Who would have guessed that sauerkraut could be a secret ingredient in chocolate cake? But it works! Great recipe.
I am up for a Chocolate Cake anytime. This secret ingredients adds all the extra flavor to the cake.
I’m intrigued and would definitely try it! I thought the same thing when I heard about chocolate mayo cakes but I tried it and now I’m a believer. Also, people put avocados in brownies so is sauerkraut really all out there? LOL! This looks so delicious and that frosting is creamy perfection 😀
Wow, I’m super impressed. I would never in a million years thought of adding sauerkraut into a chocolate cake, or any cake for that matter. I need to try this ASAP. 🙂
Such a delicious and moist chocolate cake! Pinned this for later. Such interesting flavors!
Who knew that sauerkraut could be so delicious in a chocolate cake!?
Now this cake recipe I will HAVE to make! I am so curious and excited to try this recipe! Wow looks delish!!!!
I am SO intrigued by this recipe! I never, ever would have thought to put sauerkraut in a chocolate cake, but after reading your explanation, it makes so much sense. I bet it tastes amazing.
You are pretty much a genius, I can’t tell you how many times I have leftover kraut after a cookout I cant wait to use it on this recipe! WOW!
You will be so happy you had kraut leftover – perfect excuse to bake a cake!