Yield: 16 servings
Wacky Cake
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
A delicious chocolate cake with minimal ingredients that just so happens to be dairy free, egg free and vegan! Wacky Cake is just as easy as using a boxed mix and so tasty that it might become your new go-to chocolate cake recipe.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
For the Frosting (OPTIONAL)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan with shortening and flour (or baking spray).
- In the pan, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- Make 3 wells in the dry mix and add the vanilla, white vinegar, and vegetable oil (2 small wells for the vanilla and vinegar and 1 large for the oil).
- Pour the water on top and whisk all ingredients until combined. You may use a spoon or spatula to get into the corners of the pan.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Sprinkle cooled cake with powdered sugar or top it with buttercream frosting.
- To make the frosting, place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chips are completely melted and are a smooth consistency. Cool completely to room temperature.
- While chocolate chips are cooling, place butter into a medium mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add ½ cup of powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Add the rest of the powdered sugar. Using a spatula, scrape the sides of the bowl. Continue beating about a minute until all the powdered sugar is incorporated.
- Add the melted chocolate and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy and has a smooth texture.
- Frost cooled cake and enjoy.
Notes
- Wacky cake is also commonly called Depression Cake. The Cake itself has no butter, eggs, or milk.
- I paired my cake with a buttercream frosting, but to keep it simple you could also sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Cake is best eaten in 3 days. Can be stored at room temperature.
- MIX the cake in the baking pan (not a bowl).
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 243Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 2g
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.