Wacky Depression Cake

I’ve made this Wacky Depression Cake so many times. It is a perfect cake to take to a potluck, a family reunion, or a family picnic. The great thing about “Wacky Depression Cake” is that it is so easy to make, and a fun recipe to make with your kids.

Wacky cake is made without milk or eggs and is a moist, and delicious chocolate cake. It was often made during the Depression era when cooks developed a cake that could be made without expensive and scarce ingredients.

What makes wacky cake unique is that it relies on pantry staples you already have such as flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, vinegar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

INGREDIENTS…

• FLOUR
• SALT
• COCOA POWDER
• SUGAR
• BOILING WATER
• VINEGAR
• BAKING POWDER AND SODA
• VEGETABLE OIL
• VANILLA EXTRACT

This cake uses both baking powder and baking soda. But if you don’t have baking powder, you can use 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda.

You can even turn this recipe into Cupcakes by filling each lined muffin tip about 3/4 full. Then simply bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Push a toothpick down into the cupcake and check for doneness.

This Wacky Chocolate Cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Top it with either a creamy vanilla frosting or a rich chocolate buttercream frosting or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Some More Tips…

• You don’t want to skip the vinegar. Vinegar is a necessary ingredient, It interacts with the baking soda to cause the cake batter to rise as it bakes.
• If you want to make a vanilla cake instead of a chocolate cake just omit the cocoa powder and add 1/2 teaspoon more vanilla.

This is an old fashioned classic recipe that is a MUST for your recipe box. Scroll down for the complete recipe….