Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake

Sunday, August 5, 2007

By SteamyKitchen / 143 comments »

I know…you’re all wondering….

What an elegant dessert….
a souffle, perhaps?
molten chocolate center?
did it take hours to make?

I am pleased to present to you, my Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake. Never before in the history of desserts has there ever been such an luscious cake that is this good for your inner chocoholic self.

Yes. you heard me right. Not just “low fat” “low calorie” or even “no calorie”

Its NEGATIVE CALORIE. Meaning, you earn credits for eating this dessert.

So, what makes this cake negative calorie? Well first off, I made it with:

and replace the 1/2 cup of oil with this:

and nuke for 5 minutes in one of these:

WTF?!?!? How dare she post a recipe on a food blog using Betty Crocker and a microwave?!? Isn’t she violating section 4.6.2 of the Food Blog Code of Conduct?

So, smack me silly with a violation, but I know that one night this week…oh…right around 9:00pm….when no one is watching…you are going to try this cake. You’re asking yourself if this Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake from Betty C. tastes as delicious, luscious, moist and rich as it looks. Here’s your answer:

Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake

I always make this with Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix Dark Chocolate (the one with a Hershey’s logo on it). I’m sure it will taste just as good with other brands of cake mix, but this is my preference. The ingredients below are based on the back of the box (with the exception of the banana) If you use a different brand of cake mix, follow their instructions for ingredients, replacing the banana for the oil or butter. Of course, if you aren’t on a diet – ditch the banana idea and just use the oil/butter as the recipe calls for.

Note on the banana: It should be a super-ripe brownish banana…like in the photo above. If you don’t have a super ripe banana and can’t wait – just use the oil/butter…the recipe just won’t work well with a firm, yellow banana.

Note on the microwave times: Each microwave is different. Use the times I have below and test with toothpick. Just note your final time so that you won’t have to check for doneness next time.

Prep time: 3 minutes Cook time: 5-8 minutes (depends on how many you are making)
Serves: Depends on how hungry you are. Makes about 8 ramekins

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix (Dark Chocolate) – or your fav cake mix
1 very ripe banana, smushed well with a fork
3 eggs
1 1/3 cups water
Cooking spray to spray the ramekins

In big bowl: Smushed banana + eggs + water (whisk well)
Stir in cake mix (Stir vigorously for a couple of minutes until well mixed)
Pour into ramekins (sprayed lightly with cooking spray) until filled 2/3 full

Every microwave is different – here are some guidelines:
For 2 ramekins: microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (I set my microwave on power strength 8 ) for 5 minutes
For 3-4 ramekins: 6 minutes
For 5-6 ramekins: 7 minutes

Check with toothpick to see if cake is done. Mushy cake mix stuck to toothpick? Add another 30 seconds. Cake crumbs on toothpick? Done.

Top with warm chocolate sauce and maybe a little drizzle of reduced pomegranate juice:

Reduced Pomegranate Sauce

But..but…but….how do you get negative calories with that???

Ok. brace yourselves. Try to follow along now:

Betty Crocker Calories per serving	280
Replace the oil with a banana	-40
Saving oven energy and using microwave instead	-86
Saving time (10 minutes in micro vs. 40 in the oven)	-43
Not having to look up a fancy recipe	-05
For using up the ripe smushy banana – instead of tossing it	-32
For not having to use your electric mixer – mixing by hand burns calories	-47
For pleasing your inner “Instant Grat-Brat” (I want cake NOW!)	-10
For being so clever – who else would combine BettyC+banana+micro ?	-23
For using something very healthy and full of antioxidants (reduced Pomegranate Juice)	-28
For…um….just because I said so	-8

Grand Total	-32

Can you see me on late-night infomercials pushing my Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake Diet???

Move over Atkins…here comes something steamy-er….

In case you don’t have ramekins, just pour in a 9×11-ish glass Pyrex pan (something microwave safe please) until batter reaches half way up the sides. Microwave for 11 minutes medium-high, check for doneness. Cut into nice squares and enjoy.

Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake

Other ideas that I haven’t tried yet:
-drop a big chunk-o-chocolate in the middle of batter in each ramekin (will it turn into a molten chocolate cake?)
-add raspberries to batter
-applesauce instead of banana? Reader Renee suggested adding 1T oil to applesauce to keep moist

=====================

BONUS! And there’s more!

Look what happens when I take a white boy to a Chinese market! <== but please don’t click that if you’re a vegetarian

=====================

Look who is making Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake!
Email me jaden (at) steamykitchen (dot) com – and I’ll add you to the list.

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143 Responses to “Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake”

1

Sage Cat — 8/5/07 @ 10:03 am

Not only do you have a beautiful site with gorgeous photos and yummy recipes, but you came up with a Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake!

You’re my hero.
2

Ellie — 8/5/07 @ 10:11 am

Darn you, woman! We get no Betty Crocker love here in Australia After all that anticipation from seeing the photo on Flickr….noooooooooo!

Love your calorie counting, btw Very clever!
3

LunaPierCook — 8/5/07 @ 10:16 am

“Negative calories”, eh? Sooo … the more I eat … the thinner I become … Mary!! I’m off to Kroger again!!!

I would dump this into a wide shallow bowl and add a scoop-or-two of real Denali Moose Tracks ice cream. And maybe some raspberry sauce and a squiggle of Hershey dark chocolate syrup!
4

deb — 8/5/07 @ 11:42 am

Sheer brilliance. I love the way you think.
5

DaveX — 8/5/07 @ 11:44 am

I’ve been enjoying your blog for the past week or so, thought I’d leave my first comment…

Any chance of blogging on a delicious-looking chocolate cake like this, but without the eggs? My family is vegetarian, and half of us are allergic to eggs as well.

Also– I loved the coconut entry. Sounds like my first experience with those stubborn things!
6

Glenna — 8/5/07 @ 12:01 pm

Gawd, I love the way you think!
7

argus lou — 8/5/07 @ 12:48 pm

Negative calories! You’re too funny, Steamy.
Try putting in sour red currants, jarred cherries or dried cranberries?

And for blogging about it, minus another 12 calories, girl!
(While you’re at it, minus another 15 calories for taking the luscious photos)
8

brilynn — 8/5/07 @ 1:23 pm

You know, you could have told us you slaved for hours over this cake and that it’s a family secret never to be shared and we would have believed you…
9

meeso — 8/5/07 @ 1:35 pm

This post has me laughing, and salivating!!!!
10

Amy — 8/5/07 @ 2:16 pm

Sheer brilliance! The cake, the calorie counter, everything! Adding dark chocolate to the center of the cake is definitely more negative calories, dark chocolate is good for you! Raspberries too, even more negative calories.
11

eastmeetswestkitchen — 8/5/07 @ 2:27 pm

Brilliant!!! Interesting recipe and outstanding math skills!
12

Kitt — 8/5/07 @ 2:45 pm

You are an evil temptress, you know that?
13

wmw — 8/5/07 @ 3:09 pm

Can you Fed-Ex 300 of that to me???After eating all of them I should be half of what I am now with all the negative calories combined! LOL…….
14

Lisa (Homesick Texan) — 8/5/07 @ 3:27 pm

But wait, there’s more! I’ll also burn calories by walking to the store in the August heat to buy a Betty Crocker cake mix; after eating my first serving, making several trips back into the kitchen to steal a few extra bites; fending off others who want me to share; and of course, all that mouth movement as I devour this decadent treat–I think that puts me at -132 calories. You are indeed a genius!
15

Melinda — 8/5/07 @ 3:29 pm

I read your post out loud to my husband…he hates it when I do that. But he thought it was good fun and hilarious too
I like the way you count calories and what you eat with them.
Can you do ‘negative calorie ice cream and alcohol’ ?
16

sandi @ the whistlestop cafe — 8/5/07 @ 5:20 pm

Could I get you to balance my checkbook, and while you’re at it would you call American Express for me, and re-negotiate my mortgage, and…
LOL
17

Kat — 8/5/07 @ 7:25 pm

no betty crocker here either love your calorie counter, I should get one too!
18

JEP — 8/5/07 @ 7:41 pm

I am a dietitian—this is so clever!! BTW—don’t let my patient’s read this
19

Lynn — 8/5/07 @ 10:55 pm

My grampa always used to say that you burned up more calories eating ice cream than were in the ice cream because your body had to warm it up. If you put a scoop of ice cream on your brilliant cake, it would positively be diet food. Bring on the infomercial!
20

Sarah Marie — 8/5/07 @ 11:49 pm

Love your calorie counting math! This looks delicious, and so easy. My husband would gobble it up! I’ll have to try it soon.
21

Renee — 8/6/07 @ 12:20 am

Jaden, if you want molten lava cake, mix 1 1/2 cups skim milk with a package of chocolate pudding and pie filling (4 serving size, the kind you have to cook on the stove). Mix it really well, and pour it over the top. This works in the oven poured over brownie batter in a 2 quart baking round baking dish, but I’m thinking you might have to cook the pie filling before pouring it over the batter if you’re cooking it in the microwave. You might also want to consider a dollop of raspberry, apricot, or cherry preserves instead of chocolate.
22

jo jo — 8/6/07 @ 12:59 am

jaden – this reminds me of — do you remember that episode of “friends” in which monica saved the best chocolate chip cookie from phoebe but then phoebe ate it, and told monica that her grandmother said the recipe was from nes- lay tou – loose -ah. then monica goes nuts guessing the recipe until she finds out that it’s …………..
23

jo jo — 8/6/07 @ 1:00 am

jaden – this reminds me of — do you remember that episode of “friends” in which monica saved for years the best chocolate chip cookie from phoebe but then phoebe ate it, and told monica that her grandmother said the recipe was from nes- lay tou – loose -ah. then monica goes nuts guessing the recipe until she finds out that it’s …………..
24

Big Boys Oven — 8/6/07 @ 5:06 am

Ain’t it look gorgeous……… as gorgeous as the chef herself!
There you are, …………..you can really bake well, we love it!
25

Lydia — 8/6/07 @ 6:00 am

Hats off to the math teacher who taught you how to subtract calories from chocolate cake! Brilliant!!
26

nandita — 8/6/07 @ 6:02 am

It is very difficult to believe that the luscious cake in the photo can actually be done in microwave in a jiffy, i have the same box of betty crocker at home – and i’m home alone, so may be i shall try this out – I LOVED your math for arriving at the negative calorie bit, TOTALLY AGREE!!!
27

jacey — 8/6/07 @ 6:03 am

Wow, that’s absolutely something I will like to try Yuuuummmmm!
28

Lisa — 8/6/07 @ 7:13 am

Well it’s no wonder how you keep your beautiful figure! Very impressive.

I’d like to get in on those informercials.. I do an oustanding impression of Carol Merrill on the showcase floor!

Also – thanks for the link to Side Salad – hysterical!

xoxo
29

Danielle — 8/6/07 @ 7:51 am

My partner found this before I did, and he was laughing uproariously across the room before I opened up Bloglines to see what was going in.

“Do you read Steamy Kitchen?” he demanded. “She’s hilarious!”

So, you have a two out of three approval rating in our household (we haven’t shown your website to the cat yet).
30

Inne — 8/6/07 @ 9:24 am

I love your reasoning, Jaden! And I think you can substract some more calories for the photographing, writing and blogging about your chocolate cake.

Must show this post to my partner – he doesn’t normally read any food blogs (apart from mine) but he read your coconut cracking post and thought it very funny.
31

coffee — 8/6/07 @ 10:46 am

Now you are too much dear Jaden!! You are mighty good at math I must say…. How did you become a cooking instructor??!!

The ramekien is to die for!!! Lusciouly moist…. I can see it all from here… Just fabulous.
32

SteamyKitchen — 8/6/07 @ 1:39 pm

Sage Cat- Great! This shall justify the superhero tiara that I just bought for myself!

Ellie- use whatever cake mix you have!

LPC- that cleverness just won you another -11 cal

Deb- why thank you!

Dave- try egg substitute? or applesauce instead of egg? I haven’t tried …but its worth experimenting

Glenna- thank you!

Argus- oh wow – I can deduct another 35 calories

Brilynn- but like a child I cannot keep secrets…I get too excited and just want to blurt it out to the world!

Meeso- thanks!

Amy- you’re right – dark chocolate is worth another handful of calories

EW Kitchen- my math skills are excellent, huh?

Kitt- yes…evil temptress! That shall be my superhero name!

WMW- order is on the way!

Lisa- why didn’t i think of that???? I didn’t walk to the store, but I sure pushed the shopping cart when I shopped.

Melinda- I vote for someone to come up with a negative calorie ice cream!

Sandi- yeah, i sure wish life worked that way

Kat- try with a different brand of cake mix!

JEP- i’ll make sure that your patients don’t find my blog!

Lynn- your grandpa is brilliant

Sarah Marie- let me know how it turns out…I know your husband will like it!

Renee- great ideas! I think I’m going to try brandy soaked cherries.

JoJo- I didn’t see that episode, but now I want to find it. I wonder if I can find on youtube?

BBO- does nuking in microwave count as baking?

Lydia- I owe my success to my 2nd grade math teacher

Nandita- can’t wait for u to try it. Email me when you have a post and i’ll link to it

Jacey- thank you!

Lisa – my new diet will be a worldwide fad

Danielle- LOL! He’ll have to make this cake for you tonight

Inne- hmmm…photographing the cake is worth at least another 38 calories, right?

Coffee- Good thing I don’t teach math skills in my cooking classes!
33

Amie — 8/6/07 @ 1:43 pm

I make a similar cake using sour cream instead of milk and oil. I love adding peanut butter chips to the batter. Makes a glorious cake.
34

suburbangourmet — 8/6/07 @ 2:55 pm

Holy smokes! This is pure genius! I can’t wait to try this… Oh man, I’m impressed!
35

Patricia Scarpin — 8/6/07 @ 3:00 pm

That is just what I needed right now – too bad I can’t get through the computer screen!
36

Jennifer — 8/6/07 @ 4:32 pm

I’m trying this tonight. Most of the time, I see your photos, read your entry, and think “I’ll try that next time I’m in the mood for ____” and promptly forget. Not this time. I went out and got Betty Crocker cake mix on my lunch break. Also, I’ll be trying the applesauce variation since I have no overripe bananas. I love that this won’t get my apartment hot!
37

Kirk — 8/6/07 @ 5:48 pm

Negative calorie!!! Well I think I’ll have seconds…. Fabulous things come out of the Steamy Kitchen.
38

Julie — 8/6/07 @ 5:52 pm

You are my new favorite person lol….looks wonderful.
39

Big Boys Oven — 8/6/07 @ 10:31 pm

“BBO- does nuking in microwave count as baking?”

Well as long it is a good cake even it was nuke in microwave it does count as baking. Looks so yummy, sure taste gorgeous.
40

Big Boys Oven — 8/6/07 @ 10:31 pm

“BBO- does nuking in microwave count as baking?”

Well as long it is a good cake even it was nuke in microwave it does count as baking. Looks so yummy, sure taste gorgeous.
41

Jeff — 8/6/07 @ 11:04 pm

Turn around. Stick it out. Even white boys got to shout.
42

tigerfish — 8/7/07 @ 12:45 am

I would like to try that. Now I know why I can’t bake. Because… I have not explored negative calorie cooking!
43

Carol — 8/7/07 @ 2:19 am

HA!HA! I love this post, Jaden, you never cease to crack me up, Yeah, I WISH there actually was such a thing as a Negative Calorie Chocolate ANYTHING!
Oh, but those horrible offal images, I should have been warned, my stomach did a flip, a somersault, urghhhh. I think I need to go lie down..
44

Ed Tep — 8/7/07 @ 3:18 am

Jaden – I am blown away by the pictures on your blog. They all look amazing! And I can’t wait to try the negative calorie chocolate cake. Perhaps with a scoop of negative calorie chocolate ice cream.
45

SteamyKitchen — 8/7/07 @ 8:10 am

Amie- peanut butter….ooooooohhhhh….add a spoonful in the middle of each ramkein!

SGourmet- Its a very very Suburban-Gourmet-ish recipe!

Patricia- oh, thats my next invention

Jennifer- i hope you take pics and post…let me know and I’ll link to it

Kirk- have thirds while you’re at it!

Julie- aww shucks…thanks

BBO- ok. sounds good. the next time that Food Network calls I’ll let them know that I’m a baker too!

Jeff- baby got back!

Tfish-exactly!!!

Carol- i warned you missy…but nooooo….you couldn’t resist clicking!

Ed- and a glass of negative calorie Port
46

joey — 8/7/07 @ 10:10 am

This post is pure genius! I am definitely trying this! It looks like something from a fancy restaurant! Ooooh…I am still shaking my head in wonder! Negative calories…you will be mine!
47

Gertrude — 8/7/07 @ 11:51 am

Ms Jaden, i am a huge fan of your blog and all the food that you cooked. Been showing all the yummy dishes on your blog to my husband and he wanted me to make him this neg. calorie choc. cake. He said it won’t feel guilty eating it
48

leslie — 8/7/07 @ 12:50 pm

Please tell me how I never found this blog before today.

I LOVE your writing style – hilarious. And beautiful food too.

*runs off to add to faves*

I see negative calorie chocolate in my future…..
49

Chubbypanda — 8/7/07 @ 7:49 pm

Mommy, I’m scared! j/k. It looks remarkably good, considering how it was made. Nurture over nature, eh?
50

Elaine — 8/7/07 @ 8:35 pm

Oh my, I was wondering how you’ve calculated a neg calorie for this sinful looking molten chocolate cake…aaand based on your calculations, you’re right…it is negative! O_O

holy moly, if this isn’t the holy grail of food!
51

Zoomie — 8/7/07 @ 9:21 pm

I like your rationale for toting up the non-calories and loved, loved the visit to the Chinese market, too! A true bonus! I laughed out loud!
52

Big Boys Oven — 8/8/07 @ 5:24 am

jaden, you are a baker!!!
53

caitlyn — 8/8/07 @ 12:39 pm

You are *hilarious* Jaden! =) Hehehehehehee! Please keep the “negative calorie” recipes coming!
54

Erin — 8/8/07 @ 4:43 pm

I can’t believe that lovely little cake came out of the microwave! Hilarious commentary. I so have to try this. It sounds like the perfect girlie girl “in a pinch” snack.
55

The SPAMFAN — 8/8/07 @ 5:05 pm

Holy moses – this is a freaking dessert! I was trying to figure out how to add SPAM to it, but I think I’ll just wait and catch the next one.
56

SteamyKitchen — 8/8/07 @ 11:04 pm

Joey- serve to your guests and don’t even tell them that you nuked it!

Gertrude- tell your husband its good for him

Leslie- i LOVE your blog too!

Chubby Panda- wait until I publish my negative calorie french fries

Elaine- I have a handy pocket calculator that I take shopping with me too

Zoomie- oh I’m happy that you enjoyed the market trip – it was fun giving the meat tour

BBO- i love u guys!

Mona- Thank you!

Caitlyn- I’m working on it!

Erin- yeah, perfect way to describe the cake “girlie girl in a pinch snack”

Spamfan- oh DON’T YOU DARE!!
57

Isha — 8/9/07 @ 4:08 am

what a gorgeous choc cake! yummy
58

Three Dog Kitchen — 8/9/07 @ 1:02 pm

[...] at Jayden’s Steamy Kitchen, a culinary revolution has been made: Negative Calorie Cake.� Now, I find her math to be a little fuzzy, but hey, I’m also the person who claims that [...]
59

The Cooking Ninja — 8/10/07 @ 3:24 am

That is one gorgeous looking cake … so very sinful yet not.
60

Jen — 8/10/07 @ 10:14 am

Hey, thanks for the POMWonderful plug…that’s one of our sister companies! Can’t wait to try this at home!!
61

Weylin — 8/10/07 @ 1:44 pm

No WAY. No WAY. I’m making this tomorrow. I’ll send you a picture.
62

JennDZ - The Leftover Queen — 8/10/07 @ 2:30 pm

This is great Jaden! I love your whole attitude about this cake! You took the cake mix out of the box, but you also used it THINKING outside the box as well! Very well done! I am sure lots of people will be trying your version of this cake. Personally I love the whole pomegranate drizzle! -
63

steeped — 8/12/07 @ 12:13 am

D’oh! If only I had a microwave, I would be ALL OVER THIS.
64

dwiana — 8/12/07 @ 9:18 am

I haven’t tried this chocolate cake yet – but absolutely it will be one of my lists.
I did though make black forest chocolate cake from Pillsbury Devil cake. It turned out very good and simple!
65

Cigar Jack — 8/12/07 @ 4:58 pm

Now you have me jonesing for chocloate cake you evil seductress you!
66

sia — 8/13/07 @ 7:13 am

wohoooooooooo… my new diet food LOL jaden, i am laughing like a mad woman sitting in my office and just imagine the look of my boss who sits right in front of me
67

Songbird — 8/14/07 @ 10:34 am

What a clever idea! This is just perfect when you need a quick, elegant dessert (or a fast midnight snack). I made it the other night with a little puddle of raspberry coulis. Quick. Easy. Delicious!
68

Garrett — 8/14/07 @ 6:09 pm

*psh* I love easy recipes. One of my most popular cupcake recipes was one using a can of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, cinnamon, and a box of devil’s food cake mix. Fan-frickin tastic.
69

SteamyKitchen — 8/14/07 @ 9:40 pm

Garrett- HOLY BLOW MY TONGUE OFF!!! A whole can of chipotle+adobo????
70

Tigerlily — 8/15/07 @ 3:54 pm

Beautiful site, gorgeous pictures, clever and witty and I cannot wait to get home and do something with that dang brown banana that I wouldn’t let my daugther have this morning!
I’ll be back for more!
71

foodie — 8/16/07 @ 10:30 pm

This is so fabulous what a great recipe!
72

Darcy — 8/17/07 @ 11:54 pm

Sounds very interesting You’ve a unique way of baking… I’m going to have to give this a whirl!
73

Peanuts » jugalbandi — 8/20/07 @ 9:31 pm

[...] Jaden’s Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake. She’s convinced us that it is minus 32 calories per serving. That gal can sell ice to an Eskimo. [...]
74

Amanda — 9/3/07 @ 10:49 pm

Hi… I stumbled upon your site and I tried making your negative chocolate cake…
except I didn’t have any chocolate cake… but I DID have Betty Crocker’s golden cake.

Soooo I threw that in a bowl with a smushed up banana, water, eggs and ….hmmm… I HAD to throw in something else to make up for the absolute lack of chocolate cake-ness… so I had a 1/2 an Aero chocolate bar (how that survived around here, I don’t know), that I broke up, and a handful of chocolate chips… and microwaved it, oh- for about 12 minutes- and voila! Chocolate Banana Microwave cake!

Next time I would add an additional banana, to make it more banana-y, if I was going to sitck with the golden flavor cake.

Thanks for the ideas– I can make up so many fast cake recipes like this!
75

Matilda — 9/9/07 @ 3:06 pm

I loved the idea of a banana chocolate cake and tried it last night with a standard pan instead of ramekins. Turned out delightful.

My grandson loved it too, the little monkey.
76

Aurora Richard — 9/13/07 @ 3:52 pm

You can also drizzle Monavie on the cake. It is all natural, made up of 19 fruits including the acai berry. Tastes great!
Http://www.mymonavie.com/richardfamily

PS Cant wait to try the no knead bread
77

Phil Plait, aka The Bad Astronomer — 9/15/07 @ 6:55 pm

I ate 30 of these and I have disappeared. What do I do now?
78

Yuto — 9/17/07 @ 1:50 pm

I know who would love this recipe..my sisters, lol. If you ever wanna check out some more recipes you could try http://www.lovemyphilly.com has lots of cool recipes
79

Korean Glass Noodles - Jap Chae | Jaden's Steamy Kitchen — 9/23/07 @ 11:51 pm

[...] Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake [...]
80

The Answer To Our Chocoholic Prayers: Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake (?!) — 9/25/07 @ 12:52 pm

[...] Grab the recipe: Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake [...]
81

Raachie — 9/26/07 @ 9:51 pm

Hmm.. This should make me feel better about that Steak and shredded cheese Baked Potato dinner I made today.. /)_(\

A cake with NEGATIVE calories that will make me feel so damn guilty, until I hit my head with the palm of my hand and say “Oh I forgot—negative calories..”
82

Alia — 10/4/07 @ 10:42 pm

The photo looked so luscious, and the recipe so simple and fast, I had to try it. I needed some chocolate in the bakery case at my teahouse, but I couldn’t get anything from my caterers’ with no day’s notice. And I had a couple of very gone bananas. I used the Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate mix. Not having ramekins, I used stemmed water glasses, for a parfait sort of thing. I had some blackberry pie filling which I augmented with some Greek brandy…So, an inch of batter, a dollop of blackberry, a dollop of batter, and into the mike it went for 2 minutes. It was fun to watch it grow and try to take over the microwave.

Now, you may find this strange, but I don’t actually like chocolate. Really. Milk chocolate gives me a headache, fudge will make me nauseous. So, I had to use others as guinea pigs. And the verdict was: tough, and not all that tasty. Particularly when it got cold. Which is kind of what I expected…microwaving cake!! (Moreover, I am one of those people who reads labels, so I almost never use cake mixes. Do you guys read those things?! Yikes!) I don’t know whether it was because the cake-parfaits were cooled and maybe you folks ate them still hot, but cold they were very lifeless. ‘Minded me of brown foam insulation.

Oh, how I wanted it to be fabulous! But it wasn’t. Alas.
83

SteamyKitchen — 10/5/07 @ 9:39 am

Alia- It didn’t work for you because there is a general rule in the universe about people who dislike chocolate trying to make chocolate desserts. Pisses off the chocolate gods, you know?
84

alia — 10/5/07 @ 10:49 am

That must be it — but the tea gods still love me!
85

Peter — 10/9/07 @ 1:36 am

You should make a video tutorial of this recipe and post it on makemysupper.com. People would love to see how you make this cake!
86

shawn — 10/14/07 @ 5:30 pm

this is the only time that I’ve ever seen (not just a negative calorie chocolate cake, which is also a first) someone accidentally put “its,” when they should’ve had “it’s.”

It’s like I’m living in Crazy-ville. but…seriously….thanks for the recipe.
87

SteamyKitchen — 10/14/07 @ 6:06 pm

Shawn-

Chinglish, baby…I speak Chinglish.

jaden
88

shawn — 10/14/07 @ 9:10 pm

and it’s hot. sorry….I’m the grammar nazi….
89

yowana — 11/23/07 @ 7:18 am

I tried this just now and gave them to my mom, sister, bro, and bro in law! I left 2 for me and my husband! it’s so easy to make and so cool! I love the part wherein the cakes go up and down in the microwave! thanks a lot for sharing the recipe! I’ll definitely serve this this coming xmas!
90

aspiring annapoorna — 11/28/07 @ 2:08 am

…this was sooo good – I used half a smushed up banana and a whole egg and about 1/3 cup cake mix with bittersweet chocolate chunks….I didn’t do separate ramekins…just mixed it in a small pyrex bowl and nuked it in the same. This was very yummy!!! No fuss, no mess, quick chocolate fix (can we take off 20 more calories for using just one bowl
91

Mary Betz-Saito — 1/19/08 @ 5:03 pm

About that link to the market w/white boy…
How is pork uterus cooked/served? Or should that be uteri?

Curiously yours,

Gwen the pork eater
92

Masman — 1/22/08 @ 12:58 pm

There is one more thing you can do with the Betty Crocker batter and it works best when your using their brownie mix. My girlfriend Daphne will split the batter make a small batch of brownies with one half but with the other half she nukes it for 45 to 60 seconds and pours the subsequent hot fudge it creates over vanilla ice cream OMG!
93

Sorina — 1/25/08 @ 7:23 am

Oh definately going on my must try list!!! Sounds yummy!!!
94

meg — 3/13/08 @ 12:08 am

wow, this was surprisingly good, and so easy! I started making it before I realized I only had one egg! it worked just fine with the one though, I also used milk instead of water, and just a tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce along with the banana. My question is, can you freeze it? I made it just for two people so there was so much left that I didn’t want to bake up just yet, I’m going to try and freeze one of the ramekins and put the rest in the refrigerator (will probably make them tomorrow) so hopefully they will turn out! thanks!
95

SteamyKitchen — 3/13/08 @ 12:15 am

Oh great! I’m glad you liked it. I’ve not tried freezing, so let me know how it comes out!

xo, jaden
96

Arlene — 4/4/08 @ 3:29 pm

So before I tell all my friends – can you CONFIRM that this cake when you say is a NEGATIVE calorie cake – to me when you say negative calories – it means that the MORE you EAT – the MORE you LOOSE – dont’ want to appear as a laughing stock ….thanks !
97

ann — 6/16/08 @ 9:26 pm

Stumbled across this while searching for a box cake recipe–read all the way down, had some good laughs, and then discovered—you are the funny lady who writes a column where I live! I’m always reading it to my hubby. I love it! Keep on makin’ us laugh!
98

So busy on this monday! - PURPLEPINKANDORANGE.COM — 6/30/08 @ 9:08 pm

[...] as much as the recipes she creates. You can try out some of the recipes on her blog such as the Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake (shown), Fried Egg with Oyster Sauce and Chili, Roast Chicken with Sweet Plum Sauce and Sweet [...]
99

Duckey — 7/16/08 @ 7:50 am

Wow this is amazing and if its this low in calories my food blog would love it! Perhaps you should stop by and have a look? Any advice you can give me would be great!
100

Amber — 7/16/08 @ 8:13 am

LOL! I love your math. It does look pretty good, though!
101

Rivotril. — 7/21/08 @ 5:11 pm

Rivotril mexico….

Rivotril mexico….
102

Harley — 7/23/08 @ 12:09 am

An alternative I loved was using canned pumpkin pie filling, mixing with cake mix and no other ingredients, and baking for around half the time on the package (maybe nuking will work?)

Either way: Heavenly.
103

My New Heroine: Jaden Magically Makes Calories Turn Negative « off the (meat)hook — 8/20/08 @ 12:45 am

[...] recipe for Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake looks brilliant. Let’s just say she has a unique way of [...]
104

Sandra — 10/10/08 @ 8:54 pm

So…I was just looking up a recipe for cooking a tender steak and stumbled upon this hillarious bit of genius! I’ll most likely try this “negative calorie” recipe but will definately remember the laugh I’ve gotten from visiting this site tonight.
105

Dark Chocolate Lover — 11/23/08 @ 10:53 am

Great! Now you have made me go out and buy a boxed cake with hydrogenated oils in it. White flour is a no no. I threw my microwave out 6 years ago. How do you suggest cooking it to keep it moist without using the dangerous microwave. I have nothing else on my mind for the last 48 hours but the picture of that cake. DCL
106

Negative Calorie Foods: Fact or Fiction? | Ask The Fitness Nerd — 12/27/08 @ 1:15 pm

[...] you’re interested in a little more negative calorie fun, be sure to check out this recipe for Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake courtesy of Steamy [...]
107

~M — 1/24/09 @ 12:57 pm

omg, looks delicious. and easy! Do you have any idea how much chocolate cake mix, eggs, and banana would be needed for just two ramikins. I’d love to be able to take a spoonful of mix + the appropriate amount of the remaining ingredients and just make 2 ramekins full. Instant portion control for a young couple!
108

SteamyKitchen — 1/24/09 @ 1:07 pm

no, sorry I don’t!

you can mix the entire batch, scoop out what you want in your ramekin and rest of batter in refrigerator.
109

Dan — 1/27/09 @ 4:36 pm

Since when does saving time, saving energy, or not having to look up a fancy recipe burn calories? Or just because you say so??? Something tells me this cake is not negative calories.
110

SteamyKitchen — 1/27/09 @ 4:52 pm

Dan- NO SHIT DIMWIT.
111

katherine — 2/2/09 @ 8:01 pm

LOL….That cake looks way to good to be that many calories.I mean,if you wanna see and eat a cake that good…you will have to go to Olive Garden and look on their dessert menu.

But I don’t buy this for a second.
112

Chocofairy — 2/6/09 @ 6:00 pm

OH MY GOD!
I’ve almost got a heart attack! Seeing the title and the first photo together made my brain explode!
Very great idea! I must try it!
And I love your calories count ^^
113

A KNESAL — 2/19/09 @ 4:12 am

Jaden; Our cakes would be only a delicious! Negative… ‘one’(1).

We can’t claim..> “For being so clever – who else would combine BettyC+banana+micro ? -23″

And; …> “For…um….just because I said so -8″ (Proprietary)

Thanks! Jaden

PS! Will rubbing Bananas ripen them quicker?

Now where are my Ramekins?
- SunmayLo replied: — April 26th, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
  
  Im pretty sure that rubbing them wont make them ripen faster; it will however damage the peel making it appear riper. if you take a fork and make marks on the peel it will brown in the spots that were broken from the prongs because the sugar in the peel browns. you just have to wait to have it ripen.
114

Sarah — 2/20/09 @ 12:06 pm

This recipe looks delicious! And so quick and easy. I love the idea of using the banana! I imagine you are right in your post, this is prob something that I will whip up at about 9 pm to satisfy my chocolate craving
115

Morgan — 3/8/09 @ 2:02 pm

By using that sugary banana (especially a super ripe one)… You’re sticking just as many calories into it as if you were using oil. And NOT doing all of those things listed is really just one more excuse to sit on your fat tush and NOT burn extra calories.

This… Is dumb.

Now, I understand you were trying to be all cute and stuff… But, seriously?

hmmm….no sense of humor? I’d love to see how boring you are in bed ~jaden
116

Lisa — 3/10/09 @ 12:27 pm

Your theory is completely wrong.
You don’t subtract calories just because. Yes, you can say that Betty Crocker starts with 230 and subtract from there for things like not using oil. However, you can’t just say that you subtract calories because you “were being clever” or “not looking up a recipe”. Honestly, Looking up a recipe would cause you to move around looking for a recipe, and therefore burn more calories. Sorry, but you would have to be a moron to believe this.

SERIOUSLY? Did sense of humor die this week? ~jaden
- sad git replied: — August 12th, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
  
  Just making sure its clear, as I think some people have missed it – this is a joke! The cake is 280 kcals, as stated in the table. It would be negative calorie if you ran fr an hour while eating it!
117

The Gourmet Mama » Blog Archive » Wednesday Recipe Roundup — 3/11/09 @ 4:56 pm

[...] dessert, how about some Negative Calorie Chocolate Cake . . . who could resist something that actually BURNS calories and has “chocolate” in [...]
118

Sharon — 3/26/09 @ 11:54 am

Morgan says:
March 8, 2009 at 2:02 pm
“By using that sugary banana (especially a super ripe one)… You’re sticking just as many calories into it as if you were using oil.”

No, by any means a banana is lesser in cals thn oil compared in the same quantity.
The banana she had used is at most 100 cals, and substitutes 1/2 cup of oil (which is about 7.5 tablespoonsful) and each tablespoonful of oil needs at least 100cals.

Source: http://www.dietbites.com/diet-cooking-oil-calories.html

“And NOT doing all of those things listed is really just one more excuse to sit on your fat tush and NOT burn extra calories.
This… Is dumb.
Now, I understand you were trying to be all cute and stuff… But, seriously?”

Hello, like why are you concerned about her burning or not burning calories? What are you to Jaden? If you comment tht she is dumb, please just leave to one of other 315849135 food websites. She did NOT charge any fee for you viewing her website so why is she supposed to customize to your needs. Just grow up and stop being jealous of Jaden.

I found those comments annoying so pardon me from being nosey. However, I LOL for the neg cals part. It was ultimate cute !

HUGS to you! xo, jaden
119

(U MH) My Best Stress Management Tips — 4/8/09 @ 4:42 pm

Hi,

Banana contains of fruit suger and this must be better then oil, as this also gives fiber and other helathy ingredients.. instead of fat…
120

Nikkita — 5/13/09 @ 3:32 pm

Hahaha You’re awesome.
And I love how people are taking your subtractiveness so seriously.

Thank youuuu for brightening me day.
121

Impress her with your microwave! « Legally Eating — 7/27/09 @ 6:39 pm

[...] impossible has become.. possible. And it was a giant step for guykind. About a year ago, I ran into this fantastic recipe on an all-around fantastic [...]
122

Ed — 9/19/09 @ 3:30 pm

Yeah, she’s making a joke, I get that but actually, that’s not what puts me off – it’s the rude retorts to other people’s comments! Jeez, can’t you just tell them to lighten up instead of saying things like ‘no shit dimwit’ or ‘I cant’ wait to see how boring you are in bed’.

And to Sharon saying that people shouldn’t leave those comments – well, if Jaden only wanted comments of adoration, she shouldn’t have enabled comments on the post!
123

Samwise — 10/22/09 @ 10:25 am

Good Lord yall are some uptight people.

Why do you care what retort she makes to your comment? You have every right to leave a nasty comment – and so does she! It’s her blog!

And if you’re that concerned about all the real calories that’s in a freakin CHOCOLATE CAKE (aka something that will always have more calories than what you want), you shouldn’t be looking at this recipe in the first place!!!!

Go eat a piece of lettuce instead. >.>

Jaden, I thought this was cute and funny. Anyone who actually believes you think you can magically substract calories for silly reasons is a dumbass – and I personally wish they had their posting privileges revoked so that the world would be a nicer place.
124

Rose — 11/11/09 @ 3:07 am

I guess the only explanation for the comments is most folks find this article while their searching for a low cal cake so it’s disappointing when they realize you’re pulling their leg. The best way to cut calories in a piece of cake is to cut yourself a small piece of cake.
- SteamyKitchen replied: — November 11th, 2009 @ 7:59 am
  
  Rose- or not eat the cake at all?
125

gmarie — 11/24/09 @ 1:28 am

I, for one, found this post extremely enjoyable. Jaden, I love your views on calories and I can’t wait to try this recipe with Hawaii’s Apple Bananas-they are so good I don’t eat regular bananas anymore! Will let you know how they fare. Take care and keep up the great posts.

Aloha & Mahalo from *)*_Hawaii_*(*
126

Rishfa — 12/12/09 @ 4:21 am

Just adding banana instead of oil doesn’t make cake negetive calorie.. it can’t be true
127

Mari — 12/24/09 @ 11:05 pm

Detective Rishfa is on the case!
128

steb — 12/28/09 @ 5:39 am

ergh…….if only it was true
129

Melissa — 1/16/10 @ 4:06 pm

Wow…so many negative comments. I thought the calorie count was cute! I constantly think of ways I’m burning calories…taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking with my kids, etc….so I could appreciate the HUMOR in the calorie count.

Cute post, nice recipe, although this would only be one I may make once a month and then work out obsessively for the next week.
130

Linda — 2/3/10 @ 8:52 am

Wow, a bunch of no-humor (probably very low on blood sugar, more celery, anyone? ) cranky folks here. Are you really that uneducated – nothing is negative calorie. Should have understood its going to be a fuuny recipe right from the title. Enjoy a piece and go for a walk or stop drooling by your PC in search for miracle weight loss foods. Have a fun day !
131

Cindy — 2/14/10 @ 9:21 pm

Omg. I can’t believe people are so freakin’ uptight!
Jaden, I stumbled upon your website after searching for a good pho recipe. I’ve spent the last hour reading your recipes and comments. Love the food porn, love your sense of humor. And I only clicked on this recipe because you were so clever with the title (likewise with co co fro yo by a fo blo – cute!)
Can’t wait to try some of these recipes!
132

shanzu — 2/16/10 @ 10:15 am

HEY! i didn’t know we could substitue oil with a banana.. thanks for the million dollar idea love u for it.. if u have more of such awesome ideas then plz plz plz msg me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/shanzupanzu

for now tell me has anyone actually tried this recipe? i haven’t but i wanna know how it is before i try heheh
133

Angie — 2/16/10 @ 2:18 pm

Is this any good… It looks amazing!!!
134

Darlene — 2/20/10 @ 3:10 am

Loved the post. I can’t believe people would get SO upset over such an obvious joke! Love you blog and your recipes. Spot on about the 9pm thingy.

And you can only make up part of a packet of the cake mix at a time and nuke it in a mug for 3 minutes. Oh, I probably shouldn’t have told you that. lol
135

Culinspiration — 2/22/10 @ 6:35 am

Oh…..my…..the flamers are too much! Get a sense of humor, people. Here’s proof positive that anyone googling “negative calorie cake” deserves what’s coming to them.

Your recipe is cute. Totally dig the creative mathematics. I’m all for rich chocolatey things myself…once in a while: http://culinspiration.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/worlds-best-fudge-brownies-with-gluten-free-variation/
136

John Un — 6/7/10 @ 4:57 am

Haha! I see what you did there! Pretty clever idea. I thought for a while it was one of those crazy ideas that the amount of energy the body needs to metabolize the food is greater than the calorie content. That concept is bogus, but I really like yours! And -8 calories just because you said so…damn that’s gold right there! Man I wish I could give you a comedy award ‘cuz you deserve one!
137

straightener ghd — 7/16/10 @ 1:59 am

Site information useful, I believe you must spend a lot of time in it, thank you.Looking forward to receiving new changes next time.
138

Leslie — 8/9/10 @ 12:51 pm

cute post – actually got a kick outta reading the comments! LMAO, jeeez people! – would REALLY like to know if it truly works though? Gun shy on baking cakes in microwave – esp. after reading the one post from the non-chocolate lover.
- SteamyKitchen replied: — August 10th, 2010 @ 8:05 am
  
  yes of course it works!
139

Lauren @ Healthy Delicious — 8/10/10 @ 4:32 pm

The comments on this post are cracking me up!! Love you, Jaden! Damn, I really wish I had a microwave cause I sure could g for some of this magical cake…

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I'm Jaden Hair, a professional recipe developer, food columnist, and food photographer specializing in fast, fresh, and easy recipes for the home cook.

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