Crazy Cake (also known as Wacky Cake or Depression Cake) is a classic treat from the Depression Era that doesn’t need eggs, butter, or milk—and no bowls required! You’ll be amazed at how moist and delicious this cake turns out!
INGREDIENTS
For the Cake:
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Optional Toppings (for a chocolate cake):
- Powdered sugar
- Favorite frosting
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the prepared pan, mix together the first five dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt).
- Create three depressions in the dry mixture: two small and one larger.
- In one small depression, add the vinegar; in the other, add the vanilla extract. Pour the vegetable oil into the larger depression.
- Pour water over the entire mixture and stir well until smooth.
- Bake on the middle rack for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick to ensure it comes out clean. (Baking times may vary, so keep an eye on it to avoid overbaking.)
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting, or simply dust with powdered sugar.
Optional Toppings:
Top the cooled cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or your favorite frosting.
Store frosted cake in the refrigerator.
TIPS AND NOTES
- This cake is delightful with just a dusting of powdered sugar or your favorite frosting.
- If unfrosted, the cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If frosted, cover and refrigerate for up to 6 days.
- For an easier cleanup, you can mix all the ingredients in a bowl before transferring the batter into a greased 8-inch square pan.
- You can swap vegetable oil for canola oil and white vinegar for apple cider vinegar.
- Transform this into Crazy Cake Cupcakes with the same batter!
- Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan or create a Two-Layer Crazy Cake for more servings.
