20 surprise cake recipes

An intensely dark chocolate sheet cake made with strong black coffee and buttermilk, topped with a rich "Hundred Dollar Frosting" of melted chocolate, butter, walnuts, and a surprising touch of lemon juice.

Carrot cake with a chocolatey twist: cocoa powder, chocolate chips, warm spices, and shredded carrots all in one batter, topped with cream cheese frosting. Moist, spiced, and packed with surprises in every bite.

Crazy chocolate cake made with no eggs, no butter, and no milk. Vinegar and baking soda create the lift in this one-bowl Depression-era recipe that bakes up surprisingly moist and rich.

Holiday cheddar date cake bakes a tube of brown sugar batter loaded with shredded sharp cheddar, dates, pecans, candied cherries, and golden raisins. A surprising savory-sweet fruitcake that keeps for 6 weeks.