Hello, readers I Anne Carter welcome you all today to try another cake recipe that is as different and unique as its name: Wacky Cake Recipe.
Sounds different? Right! Okay, let me tell you Wacky cake is also called by some other names like “crazy cake” and “depression cake“. The interesting fact about this is that all of these names have a different story to tell. But one thing that we must keep in mind is that we should not take its taste lightly just because it is named so. It is as delicious as any other cake that we have tried like LAUSD Coffee Cake, Chantilly Cake, and Philadelphia Cheesecake.
This cake originated during the Great Depression when ingredients like eggs and butter were scarce and expensive, thus called Depression Cake. This cake is so simple to make as it does not require much of ingredients as we usually do like eggs, milk, or butter and whenever someone hears people are like Isn’t it crazy? Hope by now you must have known why is it called crazy cake.
Lastly, this cake is simply unbeatable for all who are vegan or simply seeking some desserts during their diets as it is dairy free but you must consider this fact while preparing your frosting as well. You can also have a look at Protein Mug Cake and Keto Carrot Cake if seeking other such recipes for your diet.
Simple Wacky Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Whisk
- Baking Pan
- Cooling Rack
- Icing Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (187 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (29.5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup (237 g) water
FROSTING
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons whole milk, or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a big bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Just whisk them all together.
- Add vanilla, vinegar, oil, and water to the bowl. Stir everything together until it's all mixed up. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake it in the oven for 30-35 minutes. You know it's ready when a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs (not all clean!). Let it cool while you get the frosting ready.
Frosting
- Using a hand-held mixer, blend room temperature butter, cocoa, honey, vanilla, and confectioners sugar.
- Turn on the mixer low and let it mix everything for about 30 seconds.
- Slowly add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it's the thickness you like. It might not need all 3 tablespoons – you might need a bit more. It depends on the season and your kitchen.
Nutrition
Time for The Tips
- Keep it Vegan Goodness: This cake is naturally vegan, so no worries there. If you want to make it friendly for friends or family with specific diets or allergies, a few tweaks can do the trick.
- Allergy-Friendly Adaptations: Easily adjust some ingredients to make this cake suitable for everyone. Swap out specific items to cater to dietary restrictions without losing the deliciousness.
- Get Creative with Mix-ins: Want to jazz it up a bit? Throw in ½ cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter before popping it in the oven. It’s a simple twist that adds extra yum!
- Flavorful Twists: Change things up by swapping vanilla extract for another flavor like almond or orange. It’s a small switch, but it can make your cake stand out with a unique and delightful taste.
Possible Flavor Variations!
- Mocha Wacky Cake: For a delightful coffee and chocolate blend, throw 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee or espresso powder into the dry ingredients. It’s an absolute winner that everyone will rave about!
- Mint Chocolate Wacky Cake: You can never go wrong with mint! Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter for that classic minty kick. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you.
- Orange Zest Wacky Cake: Here’s a match made in heaven—orange and chocolate! Toss the zest of one orange into the batter for a subtle citrus flavor that takes this cake to the next level. It’s a refreshing twist you won’t want to miss.