I decided to rename this cake. The original blogger had called it a “poke” cake. Yes… that’s technically what it is, but it’s much more heavenly than that. As a result, it gets a new name.
One of my all-time favorite cakes is the classic Better than Sex cake. You know, the ooey, gooey chocolate and caramel concoction. This red velvet version is equally decadent and worthy of its new name.
Keep in mind, I have a blog called “No Thanks to Cake”… Most people read that as I must be anti-cake and I must say NO to cake all the time. On the contrary, I usually share that I grew severely overweight “no thanks to cake”. On most days, I can say “no thanks” to cake, but I am a TRUE believer that we have to reasonably indulge from time to time, which is exactly what I did on Sunday night.
I also think that it’s important to point out that I lightened up this cake significantly by preparing it a little bit different than the original recipe prescribed. Do you think anyone who ate the cake missed the extra fat and calories I extracted?
Doesn’t look like it to me….
Red Velvet Better than Sex Cake
Original Recipe by The Country Cook via Pinterest
Serves 18
INGREDIENTS
1 box Red Velvet Cake mix
1 can Diet Coke
2 pkg. Sugar-Free Fat Free Cheesecake pudding
4 cups skim milk
1 tub Cool-Whip (Lite or Fat Free), thawed
10 oreos or 2-3 packs of Oreo 100 Calorie Packs
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your baking dish using cooking spray made for baking (I used Pam Baking.) Note: If you make the full recipe, use a 9 x 13 pan. If you make 1/2 of the recipe, proceed with a 9 x 9 pan.
2. Combine red velvet cake and diet coke using a mixer. Note(s): This cake is made very similarly to the Diet Cake I shared in January. Following the recipe will yield a larger quantity than pictured. I only made ½ of the recipe, to cut down on my inhaling leftovers. To make 1/2 the recipe, simply cut all of the ingredients listed above in half.
Measuring out half of the cake mix for my 1/2 a cake. Not necessary if you’re making the entire mix! If you go with 1/2 a cake, you’ll also need to use 1/2 of all the above ingredients as well!
Diet Coke magically creates a cake without eggs and oil
Only lick the beaters…. this batter will stain your fingers!
3. Cook the cake per the box instructions, testing it with a cake tester upon removing it from the oven. Remove the cake to a wire cooling rack for a few minutes.
Midway through the baking process
Test it out!
4. In a separate bowl, mix the pudding and milk with a whisk. Mix until it begins to thicken, but do not allow it to completely set. Note: This pudding adds that cream cheese frosting-esque taste that red velvet requires. It’s soooo good.
5. After removing the cake from the oven, find a wooden spoon to use to create holes in the cake. Note: It’s always a little sad to pulverize the cake… but it’s necessary so the pudding seeps into the cake and makes it crazy delicious.
A wooden spoon is about the right circumference
Poor cake
6. Pour the pudding mixture over the cake and fill in all the holes. Retire the cake to the refrigerator to cool completely and for the pudding to set. Allow it to cool at least 2 hours. Note: The original recipe advises to cover the cake if you have stinky things in your fridge. Regardless, cover your cake.
Pour the pudding on the cake and fill all those holes
Put this baby in the fridge to set.
7. Shortly before you are ready to serve the cake, remove it from the fridge and add the cool whip on top of the pudding mixture.
Some of the “red velvet” seeped into the pudding while cooling. You may see this too. It’s fine.
Add the Cool Whip…
8. Place the oreos into a plastic bag and crush the cookies. Sprinkle on top of the cake. Note: I opted for real Oreos only so I could buy a lunch-box sized container. You could also use Reduced Fat Oreos or 100 Calorie Packs. Either would work.
I did a coarse chop of the oreos so there would be some chunky pieces on top.
This is where it all came together…
9. Cover and return to the fridge until you are ready to serve the cake.
10. Cut into generous slices and serve to your friends. Sit back and watch the cake vanish…
First piece removed…
The prettiest piece I cut. Alecia got this one!
My piece looked like a hot mess. That’s how it works though, the baker always takes the worst looking one. Tasted AMAZING though!!
After eating dessert on the patio, not a morsel left. We were all sort of scraping our plates in a very ladylike way.
Now, let me share with you the stats on this cake. They’re going to shock you… but if you consider the fat-free, sugar-free substitutions I made, it makes sense.
Healthier Version: Including the MyFitnessPal breakout because it was astonishing!
Per slice (1/18th of the cake):
CAL 177; CARB 33g; FAT 4g; SAT FAT 3g; PROT 3g; FIB 0; SUG 14g
WW Points+: 5; WW Smart Points: 8
This cake will only cost you 177 calories per slice!!! Unbelievable, right? Notice how high the calories were on the Oreos. If you went with 100 calorie packs, that could drop the calories for the recipe significantly. You could also go down to Cool Whip Free, as a lighter alternative. Just to compare, I also ran the stats on how the cake would turn out if I went with the original recipe:
Original Recipe:
It came in a full 100 calories and 11 fat grams higher per serving. NO THANKS!
Now, I definitely ate my 177 calories of cake yesterday and that’s all I consumed! I left my cake behind for my friend Deb and her husband Matt to enjoy. This is definitely part of my strategy for staying on track. Had I made the full recipe, it would have been WAY too much for the 4 of us and bringing the cake home would have meant I would have snacked on it all day.
Just the one serving was plenty for me… I could definitely say YES to cake in this scenario.
Overall, this cake was AMAZING. Now that I’ve calculated the stats, I love it even more! I definitely recommend taking the healthier version to your next family event, cookout, or get-together. People will be drooling over it… guaranteed!
Do you love Red Velvet Cake as much as I do? Have you ever tried to lighten it up like this?
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