Chocolate-Chips Water Cake: the Easy Vegan Dessert for Everyone!

Chocolate chips water cake is an even tastier version of the classic water cake. Without milk, eggs and butter, you will only need flour, sugar, water, vegetable oil and baking powder to which you'll then add dark chocolate chips. The result is a soft and light dessert, with a delicate vanilla scent, perfect for any breakfast or snack to be completed with coffee, milk, tea or herbal tea. Sprinkled with powdered sugar, it can be garnished with a berry coulisse or a scoop of ice cream. This chocolate chips water cake can also be served as a delicious end to a meal.

Water Cake's Origins

Water cake, commonly known as depression cake, originated during the Great Depression when ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter were scarce and expensive. This innovative cake utilized water as a substitute for these dairy products, making it a practical solution for families wanting to enjoy a sweet treat without the luxury ingredients. Typically made from flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and water, this cake embodied the resilience and ingenuity of people during hard times. Its affordability and simplicity also made it a staple during other periods of economic hardship, leading to its enduring popularity and various adaptations over the years. The term "depression cake" not only reflects its historical context but also the creativity and spirit of overcoming adversity with limited resources.

Can You Always Use Water Instead of Milk?

While water can sometimes be used as a substitute for milk in baking, it's not a universal solution for all recipes. Milk adds richness, flavor, and nutrition to baked goods due to its fat and protein content, which water lacks. Using water instead of milk can affect the texture and taste of the final product, potentially making it less tender and flavorful. For recipes that rely heavily on milk for moisture and fat, such as certain cakes and breads, substituting water might result in a less satisfying outcome. However, in recipes where milk's role is primarily to add moisture, water can often be used without significantly compromising the quality. The success of using water as a substitute largely depends on the specific requirements of the recipe and the desired characteristics of the baked item.

Why Do Your Chocolate Chips Always Sink to The Bottom Of Your Cake?

Chocolate chips often sink to the bottom of a cake due to their density compared to the cake batter; if the batter is too thin, it lacks the structure to support the chips, causing them to settle during baking. To prevent this, a tried-and-true method involves lightly coating the chocolate chips in flour before mixing them into the batter. The flour acts as a barrier, reducing the density difference and helping the chips to distribute more evenly throughout the cake. Additionally, using a thicker batter can provide better support for the chocolate chips, keeping them suspended. Ensuring the chips are evenly dispersed in the batter before pouring it into the baking pan can also help achieve a uniform distribution of chocolate chips in every slice of the cake.

Tips and Variations

– For an impeccable result, we recommend carefully sifting the dry ingredients and perfectly dissolving the granulated sugar in the water.

– For a more intense vanilla flavor, you can add the seeds of a whole berry, instead of the extract.

– Instead of using turmeric powder, you can flavor the mixture with other spices such as cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, and if you want a more citrusy version, add about 20 grams of lemon juice.

– You can also add cocoa powder to make the cake even more chocolate-y.

– To add an element of crunchiness, you could add chopped hazelnuts and sliced almonds.

– For optimal results, we recommend using a vegetable oil with a delicate flavor (canola, for example).

– For an ultra light variant, dedicated to lovers of intense flavors, reduce the quantity of sugar to 120 grams and the oil to 40ml.

– Make sure to grease the cake tin well, and grease again after lining it with parchment paper. This will ensure that the cake does not stick.

How to Store Chocolate Chips Water Cake

The chocolate chips water cake can be stored at room temperature, under a special glass bell jar, for at least 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Find out how to prepare chocolate chips water cake by following our step-by-step recipe and advice.

How to Make Chocolate Chips Water Cake

In a bowl, start pouring the water.

Then add the vegetable oil.

Finally, add the sugar and mix with a hand whisk. You'll need to mix until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid has no lumps.

Helping yourself with a sifter, add the flour and the baking powder and add them to the liquid mixture.

Mix with the hand whisk until the mixture has turned homogeneous and lump-free.

Add the vanilla essence and mix it to incorporate with the batter.

Then, do the same with the turmeric powder and combine it well.

Inside of a small bowl mix the chocolate chips with a bit of flour. This will prevent them from sinking into the batter while cooking.

Pour the chocolate chips into the cake mixture and, using a spatula, mix them in to incorporate them well.

Pour the mixture into a 7 inches cake mold, greased and lined with parchment paper. Bake at 360°F (180°C) for 60 minutes.

Place the cake on a serving plate and decorate it with powdered sugar. Enjoy!