Busy Day Cake (Eggless)

Prep: 15 min Cuisine: American

A rich, eggless chocolate cake with a moist texture and deep cocoa flavor, perfect for busy days or when you need a quick, satisfying dessert.

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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. shortening
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 6 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 c. buttermilk or sour milk

Instructions

  1. Melt the shortening and let it cool slightly.
  2. Blend the melted shortening with sugar and cocoa powder.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Stir the dry ingredients into the cocoa mixture alternately with buttermilk or sour milk until well combined.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to the cocoa mixture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 10 minutes. This cake can also be made with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.

Serving Suggestions

This cake is delightful served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a festive touch, dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate ganache. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a unique twist, serve alongside Sweet Toast for a fun dessert pairing.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover Busy Day Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it, where it will last for about a week. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds until just heated through, ensuring it remains moist.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Busy Day Cake (Eggless) contains roughly 866 calories, with 2g protein, 16g carbohydrates, and 91g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2993mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).

866 kcal 43% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2g 4% DV
Total Fat 90.7g 100% DV
Carbs 16.4g 6% DV
Fiber 3.1g 11% DV
Sugar 0.6g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2992.8mg 100% DV
Potassium 184.1mg 4% DV
Cholesterol 1.2mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 5.3mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 21.8mg 24% DV
Vitamin D 0.2mcg 1% DV
Calcium 30.2mg 2% DV
Iron 0.6mg 3% DV
Diet fit Low-carb
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can use regular milk in this recipe. To mimic the acidity of buttermilk, add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk and let it sit for about 10 minutes before using it in the recipe. This will help achieve similar results in texture and flavor.

What can I substitute for shortening?

If you prefer not to use shortening, you can substitute it with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. Both options will provide a similar texture and richness to the cake. However, note that using butter will impart a slightly different flavor profile.

How can I make this cake more chocolatey?

To enhance the chocolate flavor of your Busy Day Cake, you can increase the cocoa powder to ¾ cup instead of 6 tablespoons. Additionally, adding chocolate chips or chunks into the batter before baking will give you bursts of melted chocolate in every bite, making it even more indulgent.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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