Crazy Cake aka Wacky cake aka Depression cake, whatever you call this, I will say it’s absolutely crazily easy cake. This cake needs no expert hands to bake. Just mix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients, and then bake. How easy it is, right? Let me tell you a secret ( do not tell anyone, lol. This cake is vegan and you can easily customize the flavor you like).
Crazy Cake/ Wacky Cake
This cake is called Crazy cake/ Wacky cake/ Depression cake/ War cake as this originated during the wartime or depression time when there was rationing of the ingredients and there was a scarcity of milk, eggs, and butter. Though the recipe doesn’t use eggs, butter, or milk, do not underestimate the taste of it.
The cake is so soft and moist. I felt the cake tasted better the next day of baking than the same day. Also, the cake doesn’t go bad easily as there are no dairy products.
How to make it
I made this cake for my birthday, inspired by The Petite cook. My kids loved it and my daughter wanted me to bake the same for her birthday too with a chocolate frosting. I made a few alterations to the original recipe.
I used a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. Also, I used lemon juice instead of vinegar. As I said earlier, you don’t need any special equipment. Just a bowl and a whisk. Take all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix. Mix the wet ingredients and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly without any lumps. Then pour it into the greased cake pan and bake it in a preheated oven for 30 minutes at 350 Deg F. Once baked, let it cool completely before you cut and serve.
Ingredients Used
A short video
Variations of this crazy cake
Vanilla – Just skip the cocoa powder and increase the vanilla extract to 1 ½ Tsp for a vanilla-flavored cake.
Nuts – You can also add a few cuts like chopped almonds, walnuts, or cashews for a nutty, crunchy cake.
How to store this cake
You can store this cake in an airtight container or wrap it in a cling sheet and refrigerate it. Believe me, the cake I baked was good in my refrigerator for more than a week.
Can I use Vinegar?
Yes, you can use vinegar instead of Lemon juice. Use 1 Tbsp of vinegar for the given recipe.
Crazy cake frosting
The frosting for this crazy cake is also so easy. I took vegan chocolate spread and 2 Tsp coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds. Whisk it nicely. Spread this frosting over the cake.
| Pro tip – Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to 4 hours before you frost. |
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Eggless Whole Wheat chocolate ragi cake
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Recipe for Wacky cake with stepwise instructions
1 Cup = 240ml, 1 Tbsp = 15g, 1 Tsp = 5g
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
All-purpose flour – 1 Cup (120g)
Whole Wheat flour – ½ Cup (60g)
Baking soda – 1 Tsp
Sugar – 1 Cup (200g)
Cocoa powder – 2.5 Tsp
Wet Ingredients
Coconut Oil – 6 Tbsp
Lemon Juice – 1 Tbsp
Vanilla extract – 1 Tsp
Water – 1 Cup
Frosting
Any Vegan chocolate spread – ¾ Cup
Coconut oil – 2 Tsp
Method
To make the cake
Imp – Wash all your equipment and your hands before starting to bake.
- Preheat the oven to 350 Deg F.
- Grease an 8*8 pan. You can also layer it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake.
- Take all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl and pour it over the dry ingredients.
- Whisk it till the batter becomes smooth and no lumps.
- Pour this cake batter into the cake pan and bake it in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Once the cake is done, check by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake.
- If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If you see the batter in the toothpick, bake for 5 more minutes.
Preparing frosting
- Take chocolate spread and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 10 seconds. Whisk nicely to make it smooth.
Frosting the cake
- Once the cake is cooled down completely, remove from the cake pan.
- Refrigerate it for 2 hours to 4 hours.
- Then frost it with our simple chocolate frosting.
Notes
- I used coconut oil but you can use olive oil.
- You can bake this cake with just all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour.
- If you don’t prefer frosting, you can also simply dust the cake with powdered sugar and serve.
- The cake can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a week.
Crazy cake/ Wacky cake/ Depression cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Cake pan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 Cup All-purpose flour 120g
- 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat flour 60g
- 1 Tsp Baking soda
- 1 Cup Sugar 200g
- 2.5 Tbsp Cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 Cup Water
Frosting
- 3/4 Cup Any Vegan chocolate spread
- 2 Tsp Coconut oil
Instructions
To make the cake
- Preheat the oven at 350 Deg F.
- Grease an 8*8 pan. You can also layer it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake.
- Take all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl and pour it over the dry ingredients.
- Whisk it till the batter becomes smooth and no lumps.
- Pour this cake batter in the cake pan and bake it in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Once the cake is done, check by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake.
- If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If you see the batter in the toothpick, bake for 5 more minutes.
Preparing the frosting
- Take chocolate spread and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 10 seconds. Whisk nicely to make it smooth.
Frosting the cake
- Once the cake is cooled down completely, remove from the cake pan.
- Refrigerate it for 2 hours to 4 hours.
- Then frost it with our simple chocolate frosting.
Video
Notes
- I used coconut oil but you can use olive oil.
- You can bake this cake with just all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour.
- If you don’t prefer frosting, you can also simply dust the cake with powdered sugar and serve.
- The cake can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a week.
Nutrition
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You are right this is a crazily easy cake! Delicious too and I love that it’s vegan!
Isn’t it? Thank you
I’ve tried the Crazy Cake, and it’s amazing! Hard to believe it’s vegan.
Thank you
I wouldn’t have thought such an easy cake to throw together would be so delicious. Add to that it’s vegan!
You should try this and I’m sure you can’t stop baking it again and again.
I am always on the lookout for easy dessert recipes. This will be perfect for when our vegetarian friends come over for dinner. Chocolate cake is always a hit.
Absolutely. Let me know how it turns out. Thank you.
My mom used to make this, but I lost her recipe!! I was so glad to find yours and it was perfect!!!
I’m glad you found this recipe helpful. Thank you
This looks so delicious, and such a flavor-packed Crazy Cake! Cannot wait to eat this, my mouth is filled with water already. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Thank you
Woaaahhh.. What a crazy recipe. I made these last week to try them before I make them for a big family dinner next month! They are sooooo good! My family has asked for them every night since I made them. I’ll call that a hit!
Thank you so much. Glad your family liked this recipe. Really appreciate your feedback.
I totally want this right now! Your pictures of this are mouth-watering! Love that it’s vegan as well!
Thank you
Yum! This Crazy Cake aka Wacky cake aka Depression cake is making me crave! I want to have a bite right now.
Thank you
Such a great recipe for right now. It is so easy even my 15 year old son made it all on his own!
Yes, my 10-year-old daughter made it. So definitely your son can. Do give a try. Thank you
Its Hard to believe that this is vegan! Nicely done!
Thank you
This is a perfect recipe for when you are out of certain ingredients, I love that. Thanks for posting!
Thank you
Love the crazy cake recipe!
Thank you
No eggs or dairy? This cake sounds too good to be true! Can’t wait to try it!
Thank you