Description
Wacky Cake, often referred to as Crazy Cake or Depression Cake, is a truly unique and beloved recipe in the world of desserts. It’s a moist, rich chocolate cake that doesn’t require any eggs, milk, or butter – making it a perfect choice for those with dietary restrictions, or for those who are simply looking to bake with pantry staples. This cake was born out of necessity, during times when ingredients were scarce, specifically during the Great Depression and World War II, when people had to adapt their recipes to make do with what they had on hand.
Ingredients
-
All-purpose flour – 1½ cups
-
White sugar – 1 cup
-
Unsweetened cocoa powder – 4 tbsp
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Baking soda – 1 tsp
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Salt – ½ tsp
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Vegetable oil – 6 tbsp
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White vinegar – 1 tbsp
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Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
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Water – 1 cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In an ungreased 8×8-inch pan, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
- Make three wells in the dry mix:
- Pour oil into one,
- Vinegar into the second,
- Vanilla into the third.
- Pour water over everything and stir with a fork until well blended.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting or dusting with powdered sugar.
Notes
Wacky Cake is a Depression-era classic that’s loved for being simple, budget-friendly, and egg- and dairy-free. It’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions or when you’re short on ingredients, yet still crave a rich, moist chocolate cake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/9 of cake)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: None
Keywords: Crazy Cake, Depression Cake, Egg-Free Chocolate Cake, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake