Debbie's Weight Watcher Cake

12 servings Prep: 5 m Cook: 30 m Total: 35 m Beginner
This is a very moist, brownie-like cake made with just two ingredients - Devil’s Food cake mix and diet soda. Weight Watcher members will love this light, lower-calorie treat that’s ready in 40 minutes. 4 points for 1/12 serving with only 180 calories per slice.

Ingredients

  • 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
  • 1 (12 oz) can dark soft diet drink (diet Coke, diet Dr Pepper)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch cake pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, empty box of cake mix. Add the can of soft drink and mix well until combined, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake 30 minutes at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Allow to cool before cutting into 12 servings.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my cake dry instead of moist?

A: Make sure you're using a full 12 oz can of diet soda and mixing it thoroughly with the cake mix. Don't overbake - check at 30 minutes with a toothpick. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Q: Can I use regular soda instead of diet?

A: Yes, but it will add more sugar and calories, which defeats the Weight Watchers purpose. Diet soda keeps the points low while still providing the carbonation and moisture needed.

Q: Do I really not need eggs or oil?

A: Correct! The carbonation and liquid from the diet soda replace the eggs and oil. Don't add them unless you want a traditional cake instead of the Weight Watchers version.

Tips and Techniques

The darker the soda, the richer the chocolate flavor - diet Dr Pepper gives a slightly spiced note while diet Coke keeps it pure chocolate. Let the cake cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices. This cake freezes beautifully for make-ahead portions.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Devil's Food Cake Mix: chocolate fudge cake mix or German chocolate cake mix
  • diet Coke: diet Dr Pepper, Coke Zero, or any dark diet soda

Equipment Needed

  • 9x13-inch cake pan
  • large mixing bowl
  • whisk or electric mixer
  • toothpick for testing doneness

Historical Context

This Weight Watchers hack became wildly popular in the early 2000s as diet culture embraced low-point desserts. The technique of using carbonated beverages to replace eggs and oil in cake mixes spread through WW meetings across the South.