Need a new dessert recipe? Why not try Wacky Cake? A scrumptiously unique cake! Let’s see what ingredients make it so special!
Ready to try a different cake recipe? Known for its unique ingredients as well as its preparation method, Wacky Cake is an easy recipe that has been around for years! Let’s discover the secret ingredient that makes this cake well….. Wacky!
A Little History About Wacky Cake
Wacky cake is known by a couple of other names: crazy cake & depression cake. The cake recipe has an interesting history. During the Great Depression when ingredients such as eggs and butter were hard to come by, the recipe for Wacky Cake was developed. In place of butter & eggs, vinegar and baking soda were used instead! Yes, vinegar!
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By replacing the eggs & butter with vinegar and baking soda, the cake turns out very moist. It was so delicious, people didn’t even miss the eggs & butter! Wacky Cake or Krazy Kake ( as I like to call it!) is still popular today.
The Ingredients That Make It Unique
What sets this cake recipe apart from other desserts is its unique combination of ingredients. Instead of using eggs and butter, it relies on vinegar and baking soda to create a light and fluffy texture. The addition of cocoa powder gives it a rich chocolate flavor, while the use of vegetable oil keeps it moist and tender. It’s a perfect option for those with dietary restrictions or for anyone looking for a deliciously unique dessert.
How to Make Wacky Cake
Making Wacky Cake is so very easy. All you need is a few basic ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda & salt as well as vanilla extract, vegetable oil and vinegar. My recipe uses herbal vinegar in place of the white vinegar. Learn more about herbal vinegar and other herbal condiments here:Make Your Own Herbal Condiments
Don’t forget to preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9 inch round baking pan with parchment paper.
If you prefer, you can use an 8 x 8 square pan, lined with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour,1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
Next make three wells or indentations in the dry ingredients. In one well, add 1 teaspoons of vanilla extract, in another well add 1 tablespoon of herbal vinegar, and in the final well add 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. Pour 1 cup of water over the entire mixture and stir until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool before serving and enjoy your scrumptiously unique wacky cake!
Kim's Krazy Kake
Equipment
- 9 in round baking pan or an 8 x 8 square baking pan
- mixing bowl
- spatula
- measuring utensils
- parchment paper to line pan
- wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup baking cocoa or dutch process cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 Tablespoons herbal vinegar either mint, lavender or scented geranium herbal vinegar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- powdered sugar for sprinkling on top of finished cake
Instructions
- in a medium mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt & baking soda
- add 1/4 cup dutch process cocoa , mix dry ingredients together
- make 3 wells or indentations in the dry ingredients. In one well, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, in another well add 1 tablespoon of herbal vinegar, and in the final well add 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.
- Pour 1 cup of water over the entire mixture and stir until well mixed.
- line the 9 in round pan with parchment paper
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 Minutes.
- Check to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center
- If the toothpick comes out clean , the cake is finished baking. if not, bake for a few more minutes and re-test
- Once the cake is finished baking, place pan on wire rack and allow to cool
- After the cake has cooled, run a thin spatula along the sides to help loose the cake.
- Invert the cake onto the cooling rack Remove the parchment paper from the bottom of the cake. Invert the cake on to a serving platter
- Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar .
- cut cake into slices. Add a dollop of whipped topping if desired
Notes
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Serving and Enjoying Wacky Cake
Wacky cake is a versatile dessert that can be served in many different ways. Simply cut it into slices and serve it on its own, or add toppings like whipped cream, powdered sugar or frosting. Another delicious option would be a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Raspberry sauce would be yummy as well.
The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make this dessert your own!
Wacky cake is perfect for any occasion! Why not give it a try and add a little wackiness to your celebration!
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Oh my Kim! YUM!!! I have been going through my grandmother’s recipes, there are literally thousands… I did see something about depression cake, but I do not think it was like this one. I am adding this to my recipe box to see if I can make it gluten free for me! It sounds delicious, and I love using unique ingredients. Vinegar and baking soda? Why not! Thank you so much for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday!
I did see where you could use almond flour to make the cake gluten free. Let me know if you try it! I love the Whimsy Home Wednesday link party!