This vintage depression cake recipe (wacky cake recipe) is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients in 1 bowl! It has no butter, no milk, no eggs.
Depression cake OR vegan wacky cake OR crazy cake OR poor man's cake OR war cake. This cake goes by many names!
My mom used to make this cake for me every weekend, while growing up and her mom used to make it for her and now, I love making it for my family.
This simple chocolate cake recipe was developed during the Great Depression era.
My understanding of this depression cake history/wacky cake history is that milk, eggs and butter were very expensive during that time and most people could not afford to buy them.
Desserts were considered to be an item of luxury but everyone still wanted to enjoy cake and thus, our brilliant ancestors came up with this affordable alternative cake recipe without eggs, butter or milk.
You would think that without those key ingredients, this cake would be dry BUT it's actually very soft and moist due to the use of baking soda and vinegar. I promise you can't even taste or smell the vinegar once this cake has baked.
Also, this one bowl chocolate cake comes together in the cake pan itself!
That means no more mixing bowls and paddle attachments to wash up...YAY!
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The original recipe does nothave any frosting and it was enjoyed as is or with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
To be honest, there is NO such thing as a depression cake frosting or wacky cake frosting or even a wacky cake glaze because most frosting recipes use butter, which was not readily available during that era.
Now, thankfully we have an abundant supply of butter and I like to top off this cake with my very simple chocolate buttercream icing, some sprinkles and sometimes, even decorate them with pretty royal icing flowers.
Over time, people have tweaked this recipe even further and made numerous wacky cake recipe variations such as vanilla depression cake/vanilla wacky cake or lemon depression cake. I have even seen depression cake cupcakes/wacky cake cupcakes and depression cake in a mug that's made in the microwave.
TIPS for depression chocolate cake or wacky chocolate cake:
- Make sure you are using unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Your cake pan must be ungreased.
- Don't replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour because the result is an awful cake texture.
- I have heard you can make gluten free depression cake/ gluten free wacky cake by using the Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 flour but I have personally not tried it.
- You can double the recipe to serve a larger crowd and make wacky cake (9x13)/ depression cake (9x13).
- Mix the batter in a bowl and use that to fill cupcake liners and enjoy some cupcakes.
- Try different extracts in this recipe to come up with new flavors.
How to make depression cake?
In a square cake pan, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda. Then, make 3 holes. In one hole, add oil. In the second hole, add vinegar. In the third oil, add vanilla extract. Pour water over everything and mix until just combined. Bake and enjoy!
What is depression cake?
This was an affordable cake recipe that was developed during the Great Depression era around Worl War 1. It's made with no eggs, no butter and no milk, which were not readily available during that time and also very expensive.
More Vegan Desserts
Crazy Wacky Depression Cake
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups All-purpose flour
- ÂĽ cup Cocoa powder
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Water
Chocolate Frosting (Optional)
- ÂĽ cup Milk Whole or 2%
- â…“ cup Butter Unsalted
- 3 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 ½ - 3 cups Powdered sugar
Instructions
Cake
- In a square cake pan (Dimensions: 8x8- Ungreased), add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, salt and whisk everything together.
- Use your finger to make 2 small holes and 1 large hole in this dry flour mixture.
- Pour vinegar and vanilla extract in the small holes.
- Pour oil in the large hole.
- Pour water over everything.
- Mix everything together until just combined. Don't worry if you have some lumps. Just don't over-mix or else you will end up with a rubbery cake.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until an toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Chocolate Frosting
- While the cake is cooling down, prepare the frosting: In a non-stick saucepan, add milk, butter and cocoa powder and mix until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until smooth and creamy.
- Pour this frosting over your entire cake and let it set in the fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Toss some sprinkles on top of the cake and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Keep in mind that since you will not be lining your pan with wax paper or using oil spray, the cake will stick to the pan slightly. No need to panic! You can still EASILY cut slices with a knife and use an offset spatula to remove them from the pan and serve them in plates.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Until next time, tata my lovelies!
Linda
My mom made a depression cake, but the recipe calls for mayonnaise.
Abeer Rizvi
My mom used to make mayonnaise cake too but her recipe for that is different than this depression cake. So many of these old recipes have been passed on from generations to generations that it's lovely to see all the variations
Dannielle Wright
Follwed the directions and once the dry and wet ingredients were mixed it was very dry.... almost like cookie dough??? Any ideas on what went wrong??
Abeer Rizvi
Yikes! I don't know what happened. Maybe try different measuring cups coz it's not supposed to be a cookie dough mixture at all
Fatima Emiko
interesting. i also make this regularly. only i knew it as "vegan" cake. It's our family favorite too and liked by family members who are somewhat anti veganism!
Abeer Rizvi
It's always so cool to see people's reactions when I tell them this is a vegan cake! For some reason, people think vegan cakes are awful but this one is soooo good!
Aldana
Could this cake be cooked in the microwave? Cause my oven is broken. Thankssssssssssss
Abeer Rizvi
I have never tried that. So, I don't know if that would work. But, if you give it a shot, let me know how it goes. I am curious!
Kateřina Burešová
Made this with coconut cream and it was so delicious, love the colour combination btw
Abeer Rizvi
I haven't tried it with coconut cream... that sounds delicious! Glad you liked this cake
Melanie
could you substitute the oil for applesauce?
Abeer Rizvi
I have not tried that. So, I am not sure how that would affect the texture of this cake. But, if you give it a shot... let me know how it turns out!
Renee
Can you use gluten free flour mix I stead of all purpose?
How much in advance can this cake be made?
Thank you
Abeer Rizvi
I have never tried gluten free flour. So, I am not sure what the results would be. You can easily make this cake one day in advance.
Cindy
Can you use Apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?Â
Abeer Rizvi
Yes, you can.
Jacqui
This cake was amazing!!!! Definitely making again.
A K Gupta
Shall be trying this recipe, would like to know is it essential to add cocoa powder? Can it b baked without it, or suggest some other simple combinations. Thanks.
Abeer Rizvi
I have never made this cake without cocoa powder. The classic version always had cocoa powder.
Amy Lynn Carlson
I use to make this when I was a kid. Just remembering about it today cuz it's my husband's birthday tomorrow. So, I decided to mix it up. He was totally wondering what I was doing. He had never seen this cake made before. I love this cake because has regular ingredients that everyone typically has in their home.
Abeer Rizvi
Awwww... it's so sweet of you to make this cake for your husband. I hope both of you have a lovely birthday celebration.
Martha Woods
I am going to make this cake.
Abeer Rizvi
I hope you like it.
Jo
Absolutely Wonderful! I’ll definitely be putting this into my family approved recipe book. The cake holds its flavour own - doesn’t even need icing for flavour.Â
Linda P
Moist,great tasting chocolate cake. I got the recipe from a patient that I took care of in the 1970s and have been using it since then.Â
Ssndra Parker
This was so good and so easy for a homemade cake . Will keep in my recipe files Thanks for posting!
Lisa
I started making this cake eons ago before it was named for the Depression. My parents were born in 1918 & were marked in different ways by their Depression experience. My paternal grandfather was a small-town banker & my father saw everything they owned auctioned in the front yard. That grandfather spent the remainder of his life paying back everyone who lost their savings in his bank. In my mom's family, many of the women were teachers and they were able to support their families. Her family owned a large farm so the extended family moved in together and were okay. So, my dad never trusted Wall Street and my mom taught me the strength of women! Whenever I make this delicious cake, I remember their lessons and love.