Chocolate Wacky Cake
If you’re looking for a simple moist chocolate cake recipe, this Chocolate Wacky Cake has you covered! With a short list of ingredients, this wacky cake recipe uses NO eggs and NO dairy for a vegan chocolate cake that’s so good that you’ll say, “That’s wacky!”
Tender, and chocolatey with a perfect crumb, not only does this wacky cake recipe call for a simple list of ingredients, but the batter for this 8×8 chocolate cake recipe mixes up entirely in the pan – that’s just how easy it is!
I make this cake all the time. It’s my kid’s fave! Though I’ve iced it in the photos you see here, oftentimes I leave it unfrosted with only a dusting of powdered sugar and/or serve it up with a dollop of whipped cream.
This simple chocolate cake is so good with a cup of coffee or tea, or for a easy dessert after dinner.
Table of Contents
What is Wacky Cake and Why is it Called That?!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Frosting Ideas for Chocolate Wacky Cake
What is Wacky Cake and Why is it Called That?!
Wacky Cake is an American classic that dates back at least 100 years. Some claim it originated around the time of World War I, others say it took off during the Great Depression or even World War II.
What most can agree on is that it came about during times when eggs, butter, and milk were in short supply or simply not available, so traditional cake recipes weren’t possible. And this inventive chocolate wacky cake was born! (learn more about the origin of Wacky Cake here.)
The Story Behind the Recipe
Like many of you, I’m sure, I grew up on this cake. My mom called it “Crazy Cake,” and it pains me the nostalgic side of me to not call it the same thing. But in the interest of inclusive language, I’m going with the other popular name: Wacky Cake. It’s also sometimes called Depression Cake. Whether you call it crazy cake, wacky cake, or depression cake, it’s a chocolate cake that’s easy and delicious!
My mom made this cake at least once per month. She served up the big fluffy squares with a generous dollop of Cool Whip, which is a serving suggestion I highly recommend.
But it’s excellent with a light layer of chocolate buttercream, too.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe
It’s super easy to make. Like ridiculously easy! The batter for this simple chocolate cake recipe mixes together right in the pan. It doesn’t get easier than that.
It’s delicious. Chocolatey, tender, moist. Everything you want in a chocolate cake from scratch recipe.
It’s dairy-free and vegan. It wasn’t designed for the vegan diet, but it is one of those awesome recipes that’s happily vegan just as it is.
Ingredients
All-purpose flour – bleached or unbleached both work well.
Sugar – plain old granulated.
Baking soda – the leavener in our wacky cake, the baking soda reacts with the vinegar to make the cake rise.
Salt – I like to use fine-grain sea salt for baking. Table salt works, too.
Cocoa powder – I use plain ol’ Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate wacky cake
Canola oil – for a moist, melt-in-your-mouth cake. Vegetable oil works, too.
Vinegar – I use white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar will work, too. Don’t leave this out or substitute! It’s a strong acid that reacts with the other ingredients to help the cake rise, and is crucial to the success of this recipe.
Pure vanilla extract – for sweet vanilla flavor.
Water – not usually considered an official ingredient, but crucial to the formation of wacky cake batter.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Enhance the chocolate flavor by replacing the water with a cup of strong brewed coffee.
To make it a vanilla wacky cake, omit the cocoa powder and double the vanilla extract.
Go frosting-less – it’s still delicious! I provide a recipe for small-batch chocolate frosting with this wacky cake recipe for a chocolate frosted wacky cake, but you can omit the frosting and dust with powdered sugar and/or serve with whipped cream. Or, if you’re all about the frosting, scroll down for a bunch of suggestions.
How to Make Wacky Cake
If you’ve never made chocolate depression cake, a.k.a. wacky cake, prepare to be amazed! It’s just a matter of mixing the dry ingredients together, making indentations and pouring in the wet ingredients, mixing it all together, and baking it.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt to an 8×8 pan. You don’t even need to grease the pan first.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together with a whisk, and create three indentations. I like to make a larger indentation for the oil, which, if you want to channel your inner child, naturally creates a happy face! Score!
3. Then, pour the vanilla extract into one small indent, the vinegar into another, and the canola oil into the large indent.
4. Pour the water over the top.
5. Stir until combined. I like to use a flat whisk so I can really get into the corners, but a plastic spatula works great, too.
6. And then, it’s time to bake your wacky cake! Bake just until the middle is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Frosting Ideas for Chocolate Wacky Cake
Really, the sky’s the limit for how you want to frost this simple moist chocolate cake recipe. I’ve provided a recipe for chocolate frosting, and that’s what’s photographed here. But you should make it your own! Here are a few ideas:
Nutella buttercream frosting (especially good!)
Strawberry buttercream (and garnish with strawberries!)
My mom used to serve up plain squares of this 8×8 chocolate cake recipe with a big dollop of Cool Whip. Highly recommend! Whipped cream or vegan whipping cream are great too.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
We love chocolate cake here in the Kitchen Treaty house! Here are my other recipes:
Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake – this is a deep, dark Devil’s food cake recipe with layers and lots of chocolate frosting. Dairy free and entirely vegan!
American Flag Sheet Cake – the base of this sheet cake recipe is actually based on chocolate wacky cake! Finished off with a vanilla buttercream and a berry flag.
Chocolate Mint Mug Cake – for when a chocolate craving hits and you need a single-serving cake – NOW!
Deep Dark Hot Fudge Pudding Cake – Another one my mom used to make. So good with ice cream!
Chocolate Wacky Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the chocolate wacky cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 cup granulated sugar1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt1/3 cup canola oil can substitute vegetable oil1 tablespoon white vinegar can substitute apple cider vinegar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 cup water
For the chocolate frosting:
1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 cup powdered sugar1 tablespoon milk1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the cake:
To make the frosting:
Notes
Vegan option:
The cake recipe as written is vegan and dairy-free, but the buttercream frosting needs a couple simple swaps to keep this a vegan recipe. To make it vegan, swap in a vegan butter and plant-based milk.
Storage:
As written, wacky cake with chocolate frosting will keep at room temperature, covered, for about 4 days. If you use a cream cheese frosting or another frosting that needs refrigeration, I suggest storing it in the fridge.
Nutrition
The post Chocolate Wacky Cake appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.