# Why do chocolate cake and milk compliment each other so well? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983 "2001-08-30T18:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/1 "2001-08-30T18:52:41Z")
I made brownies the other day. Absolutely wonderful. I had the option of two eggs for fudge-like brownies, or three eggs for more cake-like brownies. Normally, I like the fudgy kind. But I threw caution to the wind, and went with the cake. Well, once they were done, and properly cooled down, I cut out a nice big slice for myself. After my first bite, I immediately realized my mistake of not pouring myself a glass of milk, which my tastebuds were demanding. One hunk of brownie and a tall glass of 1% milk later, I wondered what made these two such interconnected culinary dance partners. I’m sure that there is some sort of chemical reasoning behind this, and I turn to the Teeming Millions for any explanation. I’m sure that Zenster might have an idea. Chef Troy? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/2 "2001-08-30T20:54:02Z")
I think it’s the interaction of certain textures, tastes and fluids on your tongue. I think food engineers call it “mouth feel” It’s why high fat foods don’t just taste better, they feel better to eat. The combination of good ice cream followed by a big glass of ice water is another sybiotic combination. Don’t overanalyze it though, just enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/3 "2001-08-30T22:05:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Hi, milk. you look great > [@](#): > > Hi yourself, chocolate cake. Nice hair-do. You have to pardon me. That is one of my pet peeves. I’ve seen even semi-prestigious periodicals confuse “compliment” with “complement.” I had to get that off my chest. It’s a matter of taste, of course. I happen to like coffee with cake, any kind of cake. And I have to dunk biscuttis in coffee. That’s not an option. It’s mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/4 "2001-08-30T22:50:44Z")
I’m a milk-and-chocolate cake man myself. Why did just reading the thread title make me salivate? Damn, **Munch** , those brownies sound good. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/5 "2001-08-31T00:30:55Z")
Totally subjective. A friend of mine prefers beer with his cake, but then I think he prefers beer with everything, especailly another beer. I’m with you…milk with chocolate cake, hot tea with raspberry tea cake and coffee with apple pie. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/6 "2001-08-31T15:04:39Z")
One thing about the way people make cakes is they make them so dry!..so it’s bite, drink, bite, drink Some people can make really moist cakes then you don’t need fluids with it. Yummy! Chocolate cake goes best with milk I think. ---
**Author:** ![jellen92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@jellen92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellen92)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/7 "2001-08-31T16:34:44Z")
Being that chocolate cake is rich and tends to stick to your mouth a bit, milk is more “basic” and creamy, not to mention cold - hence the wonderful combination and orgasmic outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/8 "2001-08-31T17:03:31Z")
Well, time to go eat my brownie in [my ridiculously sized plastic baggie](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=84739). ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chocolate-cake-and-milk-compliment-each-other-so-well/78983/9 "2001-08-31T17:15:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*One thing about the way people make cakes is they make them so dry! \*\* You need to eat better chocolate cakes. Properly made it’s moist (as all cakes should be), sumptuous, delicious, yummy, and chocolately.