Has Anyone Heard of.........

[Shan]

Has anyone heard of putting an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce in a chocolate cake?

I was looking at some cake recipes on the net tonight and came across one for a double chocolate cake. As I read through the ingredients, I found that a can of tomato sauce was listed.

This sounds kind of wierd to me, and I would never think about putting tomato sauce in chocolate cake. I am no cook though.

Here is the recipe:

Double-Chocolate Cake

2 cups + 2 tsp. all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 tsp. baking soda
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup oil, preferably canola
3/4 cup very hot tap water
1 can (8oz.) tomato sauce
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
2 cans (16oz. each) chocolate frosting

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat 2 (9") round cake pans with cooking spray. In bowl combine 2 cups flour, cocoa powder and soda; set aside. In another bowl at low speed beat sugar, oil, water, tomato sauce, eggs and vanilla, 1 minute. Gradually beat in flour mixture; beat 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high beat 1 minute. Toss chips in remaining flour; fold into batter. Divide batter between pans. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool on rack 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on racks. To assemble, place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread with 1/2 can of frosting. Tops with remaining cake layer. Spread top and side with remaining frosting.

Shan

[kt]

I've heard of tomato soup in chocolate cake before, but not tomato sauce. I'm sure that it will be a hit.

Tomato soup is on the sweet side and also has a lot of body. It will add to the richness and moistness of the cake. I assume that tomato sauce will do the same. Just make sure it's tomato sauce and not spaghetti sauce. Nobody wants to get a piece of chopped onion or mushroom in their piece of chocolate cake. haha

Judging from the fact that this cake also calls for 1 cup of oil and 3 eggs, not to mention the truckload of chocolate chips, make sure you book some time on the treadmill or stationary bike after you enjoy your slice.

If you try out the recipe, I'd be anxious to hear what you thought.

A cool variation might be to make a cream cheese icing instead of the store bought chocolate one. Did I just hear an artery snap shut?

[Shan]

kt, thank you for your response.

a question though. wouldn't adding tomato soup or tomato sauce make the cake have a tomato taste? that is my biggest concern.

and sure if i decide to give it a try i will post the results.

shan how about milk and cookies instead of tomato sauce chocolate cake ;D

[kt]

You'd think it might, but I'm betting it won't. I've made chocolate cake that included, of all things, a can of sauerkraut! You couldn't even tell once it was baked. It was delicious.

I say, give it a try. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Glance A'Lot]

I agree - chocolate covers almost anything tastewise.

[Shan]

That is new to me. I had no idea chocolate would cover up the taste of tomatoes or sauerkraut or almost anything else.

OK, once I try the tomato sauce one, I will have to post the results of how it turned out and what it tasted like.


Hmmmmm, maybe just eating a candy cane would be better. ;D

Shan