Garbage Cake

Looking for a creative way to breathe new life into pantry leftovers? This Garbage Cake recipe is your ultimate solution! Packed with rich cocoa flavor and an irresistible medley of crushed cookies, leftover chocolate candies, and optional mix-ins like shredded coconut and chopped nuts, this cake proves that "garbage" can be gourmet. With no eggs or dairy, it’s an effortlessly vegan dessert that comes together in just 15 minutes of prep, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or weeknight sweet cravings. The magic happens as simple pantry staples—flour, sugar, and baking soda—combine with vinegar and water to form a moist, fudgy base that’s topped off with a unique twist of textures and flavors. Whether served plain or drizzled with chocolate ganache, this easy and resourceful dessert will quickly become a household favorite. Perfect for zero-waste baking enthusiasts or anyone who loves a fun and inventive recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup leftover chocolate candies or chopped chocolate
• 0.5 cup crushed cookies (like Oreos or graham crackers)
• 0.25 cup shredded coconut (optional)
• 0.25 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch cake pan and set it aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Add the water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until you get a smooth batter with no lumps.

Step 4

Fold in the leftover chocolate candies or chopped chocolate, crushed cookies, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts (if using). Mix gently to evenly distribute the add-ins.

Step 5

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 7

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

Slice and serve as is, or top with a drizzle of chocolate ganache or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra flair!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1261.5 grams (1261.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4749

Total Fat 265.50g	340%
Saturated Fat 113.40g	567%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.20g
Cholesterol 12mg	4%
Sodium 2762mg	120%
Total Carbohydrate 613.80g	223%
Dietary Fiber 70.50g	252%
Total Sugars 362.20g
Protein 65.60g	131%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 372mg	29%
Iron 37mg	207%
Potassium 3491mg	74%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.8%

Protein: 5.1%

Carbs: 48.1%