Camilla Jessen
No flour, no oven, no problem.
Move over, lava cakes and mug brownies—there’s a new chocolate dessert in town, and it comes in a milk carton.
According to Freundin, this no-bake chocolate cake has been quietly building cult status since influencer Stefano Zarrella shared his version in 2022.
Now, the trend is making a well-deserved comeback across social media, with fans praising its creamy texture, rich flavor, and zero fuss.
It’s a cross between a pudding and a mousse, with a smooth, sliceable texture and an intense chocolate taste.
Best of all, it’s made with just a handful of ingredients and doesn’t require an oven or a baking tin.
The Milk Carton Cake: What You’ll Need
- 580 ml milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 35 g cocoa powder
- 5 g agar-agar powder (a plant-based gelling agent)
- 125 g chocolate (dark or milk, depending on preference)
- Sweetener to taste (sugar, honey, or erythritol)
- Optional: cocoa powder for dusting
Instead of a baking pan, you’ll use the bottom of a clean milk carton. Just slice it open, pour in the chocolate mixture, and refrigerate. The result? A perfectly molded dessert that’s as impressive as it is easy.
How to Make It
- Heat the milk in a saucepan (reserve a small amount to mix with the cocoa).
- In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, agar-agar, and sweetener with the reserved cold milk until smooth.
- Stir this cocoa mixture into the hot milk. Bring it gently to a boil while stirring constantly.
- Once it starts to thicken, add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the cleaned milk carton base.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 3–4 hours, or until set.
- Carefully peel or cut away the carton, slice, and serve. Dust with cocoa powder for a finishing touch.
The genius lies in the agar-agar, which helps the dessert firm up into a cake-like consistency—without the need for baking.
The milk carton mold gives it structure and charm, and the chilled serving temperature makes it a perfect summer dessert or no-stress party treat.