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[Before you write this post off as boring, here's a SPOILER: I made 60 calorie cupcakes today using sparkling water and they were freaking delicious. And beautiful. Okay, now read on...]Have you ever heard of diet coke cakes (or diet coke cupcakes)? You can substitute diet soda for the eggs, oil, and butter in a cake. Sounds like a horrible idea? It actually works. Google the phrase "diet coke cake" and you will get this:
See? Everybody's doing it. "Go ahead and jump off a cliff, why don'tcha?" Okay, but, in all honesty, I'm not convinced that cooking with diet soda is entirely healthy. Diet soda on its own has some scary health negatives, and I have no idea what baking may do to it.
So this morning, I had an idea: If diet soda works, would sparkling water?
- Why it might work: if diet soda cakes are successful because of the carbonation (which sparkling water has)
- Why it might epic fail: if diet soda cakes are successful because of the syrup (which sparkling water has not)
Sounds like an experiment to me! "Science rules!" Thanks, Bill Nye.
The verdict? Ding ding ding, we have a winner! Not only are these things beautiful, but they actually taste good!
They started out like this...
But I decided to melt some almond bark to lop onto a few of them for extra crunchiness (and because these babies are only 60 calories cooked, no joke). So then they looked like this...
And no, they are not all that pretty. Here are some of the less beautiful ones (because I had no idea if this would epic fail and thus couldn't bring myself to use all of my pretty cupcake papers)...
What you need:
- 1 can of Sparkling Water (I used La Croix)
- 1 box of Sugar Free cake
What ya gots ta do:
Seriously, this is the easiest cupcake mix in the history of the world...
- Put the cake mix in the bowl.
- Pour the whole can of sparkling water in
- Mix
- Bake according to directions on cake box
Okay, now who wants to lick the bowl? ;-)
New follower from the blog hop. These are very cute.
ReplyDeleteOk, so, as I sit here typing, I am making your reese's cupcakes. While I am waiting I found many more awesome things on your blog. LOVE IT! Also, I love that you can use the sparkling water. Kinda sad, but it's not because they are healthier; it's because my husband doesn't let me lick the bowl after making cake because of the eggs..now I can lick the bowl! lol Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFor the cupcakes, did you make 24 with this recipe?
ReplyDeleteYep! Though they don't rise as much as a typical cupcake would, so they're each slightly smaller than normal... but it can make 24 :)
DeleteCould you post the nutrition values, please? I am on weight watchers and this easy recipe seems like it would satisfy my chocolate cravings. Just have to figure out the points plus values. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSure! I just created a Nutrition Facts sheet and posted it at the very bottom of the recipe. It includes all of the basic bits of info so I hope it's enough for you to use to check if it would work with WW! If you figure out how many points it is, let me know! I'd love to add that to the post!
DeleteThe info is, as I mentioned, at the bottom of the post... but here's a link to it directly as well :)
I'm going to have to try these out myself. I too am on weight watchers and using the Nutrition Facts these are only 2 points per serving.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deleteokay ive got to try this! Im going out to buy the ingredients right now.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how they are :)
DeleteAMAZING! I just make these and will admit I was doubting how good they would be. Definitely a new favorite!!! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad! :)
DeleteIs the can 12 oz? And is it unflavored?
ReplyDeleteYes to both! 12oz of any sparkling or mineral water would work!
DeleteHi! I plan to try these as soon as I can find sugar-free cake mix. Could I ask where you found those lovely cupcake liners?!
ReplyDeleteI make these with coconut Lacroix. Yum!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried this recipe with seltzer water? So why use sugar free cake mix? What about glutinous-free cupcake mix?
ReplyDeleteI've used seltzer water and it does work! You can use just about any cake mix. I've tried the sugar free as well as the ones that include sugar. I haven't tried it with gluten free mixes, but I expect it would be alright, can't make any guarantees though! Would love to know how it turns out!
Deletedang! I wish I would've found this blog before I made my cake. I make cakes from scratch and recently started buying flavored and plain seltzer water. Next time I will use the lemon one to make a 7up cake.
ReplyDeleteI used the same cake mix I did use egg beaters egg whites and poured in black cherry sparkling water until I thought it looked good. Poured in bunt pan and the cake was moist. Will try next time without the egg whites.
ReplyDeleteIf all fails make cake balls with them.
Thank you for this post I make all my cakes with sodas (dark cake dark soda light cake light soda) but I'm making boxed banana bread and I won't use egg because my children lick the beaters and bowl do now I'll try the seltzer water with the bread
ReplyDelete