Good morning, friends! How are you this morning? Depending on where you’re waking up today, it’s either 30 degrees above your usual January temperature or it’s 30 degrees below and you’re digging yourself out from who knows how many inches—or feet!—of snow.
Which brings me to our topic for this week: Crazy Cake. No, not just because crazy climes call for crazy cake, but also because it’s perfectly suited for any kind of weather. Feels like spring where you are? This cake can be prepped in about 10 minutes, which means you get to go outside and enjoy the sun sooner. Snowed in? What better way to spend the day indoors than baking a cake that only calls for ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry?
I did a bit of research online, and learned that Crazy Cake, also known as Wacky Cake or Depression Era Cake, grew in popularity in the 1970s. But that’s not when it got its start. Some say it has its origins in the Great Depression, while others say it was World War II. It was a way to bake without eggs, milk, and butter, which were rationed and scarce during those times. The lift comes from the combination of vinegar and baking soda, and the flour provides most of the structure. Any way you slice it, it’s simple, inexpensive, and even requires minimal cleanup because it’s a one-dish recipe. If you have any special dietary needs, you’ll be happy to know that this cake in its classic form is vegan, egg-free, and dairy-free. More importantly, it’s moist and light and so easy, the kids will love making it themselves. Anything that gets kids involved in the kitchen scores major points in my book.
So let’s talk about crazy cake today! Tell us:
Have you tried crazy cake? Do you have any interesting variations on the classic chocolate version, or tips on how to experiment with different flavors?
Wacky Cake was one of the first cakes I ever successfully baked, back when I thought I would concentrate on becoming a better cook and leave baking to the experts. Baking intimidated me, and all my previous cake and cookie attempts yielded mostly mediocre results. Until I found an old recipe for Wacky Cake, and on a whim, since I had all the ingredients on hand, I decided to give it a go. The cake turned out surprisingly moist and delicious, it helped me take that first step toward finally making peace with the oven.
I haven’t thought about Crazy-Wacky Cake in a while and I now want to start experimenting with it again. I’ve seen some wonderful versions online, like apple, red velvet, pumpkin spice, and lemon vanilla. I’ve also seen them made into whoopie pies. Crazy whoopie!
Now it’s time for you to join in. Crazy Cake dates way back, and many have childhood memories associated with this cake. Share your stories, tips, tricks, and let’s bring back the crazy!
The photo above shows the classic Chocolate Crazy Cake, shared by TK member Krysten Schwartz. Click on the photo to get the printable.
27 Comments
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shiv on 2.2.2015
awesome
Bridget G on 1.29.2015
My sister has an egg allergy so Wacky cake is what I use for all family birthday parties.
Robin C on 1.29.2015
I discovered Wacky/Crazy cake just before my son’s first birthday. He had an egg and dairy allergy so I knew I couldn’t just order a cake from a local bakery, so I took it upon myself to find some kind of cake for his birthday. Fast forward nearly 6 years and this is my go-to cake for every birthday. I’m pretty sure our families wouldn’t come to birthday parties if I wasn’t making my “famous” cupcakes!
KimP on 1.29.2015
My mom made this a lot when I was a kid. I’m with Linda Sue, switch the water to brewed coffee for a delicious change.
Linda Sue on 1.29.2015
OK y’all get the benefit of my Wacky Cake secret – brew a cup of STRONG coffee – use cooled coffee instead of water and the taste is SO much richer. Yes flavored coffees are great too – taking culinary classes years ago – I was taught to use brewed coffee instead of water in almost anything chocolate – brownies – oh my goodness. I have to emphasize brewed coffee – a friend at church tried making brownies with coffee – yep – she put in 3/4 cup of coffee grounds! YIKES -
MaggieB on 1.29.2015
I have fond memories of making Wacky Cake with my grandmother when I was a child. She would let me do most of it by myself, even when I was quite young. This cake was always so comforting and delicious.
Erika (TK) on 1.29.2015
KathyF, I’ve heard quite a number of folks have had great success simply substituting a GF blend for the flour.
DebbieK, using about 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or any other spice combination you prefer) in place of the cocoa powder should do the trick for a crazy-wacky spice cake.
KrissyC EsMommy on 1.29.2015
Groing up with a brother who is severely allergic to egg…I’ve eaten many of a wacky cake. My mom baked it up for every one of my brother’s birthdays since its pretty rare to find another cake out there without egg besides an ice cream cake. I will never forget the year my mom made it with a coffee flavored buttercream icing (literally just butter, milk and powdered sugar together) and topped it with freshly baked raspberries. To this day that is my favorite way to have it. Tho it does taste great without the frosting and sprinkled with a little powdered sugar as well…and pretty much any fruit tastes wonderful with it. I like to sub in a little of the cold water for cold coffee, and occasionally add chocolate chips to the mix as well. My daughter LOVES to make this cake since its so simple. Her favorite way it to bake it into cup cakes and into little ramikens.
rozanie on 1.29.2015
Wacky cake is probably the number one favorite food in my husband’s family. His mom kept it on hand all. the time.
In his growing up years, they would eat it with their cereal in the morning for breakfast. or at lunch. or as dessert at supper, with ice cream.
My kids & their cousins know they can depend on Grandma to have one on hand, and they all love it, too!
I like it because it is as easy to make as it is delicious. I like to use coffee instead of water.
Our preferred frosting is a made-from-scratch chocolate frosting, with an addition of peanut butter. Yum! It’s also delicious with cream cheese frosting!
Excuse me while I go bake one right now!!
DebbieK on 1.29.2015
I have never made this cake and also not knowingly eaten it. It looks like a cake my grandmother or great-aunts may have made being good cooks/bakers and being housewives during the depression. I will definitely try it and experiment with it. I am the family Chocolate-lover. My Hubby loves spice cake. Who will share a good “spice” crazy cake version? Many thanks for the daily cooking and baking ideas.
KathyF on 1.28.2015
Wonder if you could make it gluten free? Looks so yummy…
Ashley@blondegirlcravings on 1.28.2015
We made crazy cake all the time when I was younger. I even made it for school demos because it was so simple and made in one pan. Reminds me of my childhood!
Lisa M. on 1.28.2015
My mom made this a lot when I was growing up. It was my favorite cake, but I have not thought about it for years. Thanks for reminding me of it, I must go dig up a recipe. It was the very first cake I ever baked by myself when I was a kid. It’s so easy and fail proof.
Patricia @ ButterYum on 1.28.2015
Gosh, where have I been? I’ve never heard of such a cake. Maybe because my mother didn’t bake, and neither did her mother.
Ellen@BakeItWithBooze on 1.28.2015
I know this as poor man’s cake. I always add a bit of Kahlua–no surprise there. Always a great, easy snack cake to make when I’m short on time.
Debbie C on 1.28.2015
Childhood memories…..wacky cake for dessert always made my sister and I giggle. My mom didn’t do anything special to it….I believe it was always frosted with chocolate buttercream. I come from a family of choco-holics. I know what is on the list to make real soon…..giggle giggle….thanks for the flashback!
AngAK on 1.28.2015
I’m making one tonight for my DH’s birthday cake. 9″ size is perfect and I lower the sugar and use some Splenda and then will frost the square cake with a cooked coconut pecan frosting like for German Chocolate cake. he is diabetic and these recipes can be easily tweaked to lower the sugar in them. My friend bakes cakes as a side business, and this recipe is what he uses for his chocolate layers. it’s sturdy and turns out perfect every time.
C. L. ( Cheryl ) "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on 1.28.2015
Oh my goodness I just laughed myself out of my chair! Any cake in my household is Wacky-Crazy Cake Y’All!!! Happy Baking. Cheryl
Kelly on 1.28.2015
Like Kathy, Wacky Cake is my go to cake/cupcke. My boys request it for birthdays beyond any others. I make other cakes, but if it needs to be chocolate, it’s Wacky Cake, always.
farmerswife518 on 1.28.2015
I {heart} Crazy Cake!!! We grew up making this recipe out of an old church cookbook. I still make this often, and I also use strong coffee for the water. Frost it with a rich chocolate buttercream, also made with a Tablespoon or so of coffee, and it becomes the ultimate chocolate lovers treat!
Anne Weber-Falk on 1.28.2015
We found wacky cake after my father had a heart attack. I wanted him to be able to enjoy tasty treats that would taste good and not do too much harm. I don’t frost mine, just sprinkle with some powdered sugar. Just the right amount of sweetness.
KathyMH on 1.28.2015
I grew up calling it Wacky Cake. When I married, my sister-in-law gave me some recipes of my mother-in-law and one of them was “Lazy Wife Cake.” Both cake recipes were identical. Even though my mother-in-law would be the first to say that her two daughters-in-law are anything but lazy, we all make this cake A LOT. I make it in three 8″ round cake pans, make a big batch of peanut butter icing, and have a wonderful layer cake that my boys request for every birthday.
Carol on 1.28.2015
Crazy/Wacky Cake is one of my favorite cakes to bake. I’ve made a vanilla version and an applesauce spice version with cream cheese frosting. Both are delicious. The recipes I use make an 8″ square cake-perfect for us since we’re empty nesters.
Robbin P on 1.28.2015
My mom used to make “Wacky” Cake for us. She always made a mint frosting out of a little powdered sugar, butter milk and a couple of drops of mint flavoring. My dad LOVED that cake, OK, I guess we all loved it!! I made it about a year ago for a friend at work who only eats vegan. I realized – this cake is vegan. I just had to tweak the frosting a little.
Yanica on 1.28.2015
the recipe I got was called 7 minute chocolate cake – and making it with hot strong coffee instead of water, makes for a richer flavor. This is really good cake – it doesn’t necessarily need frosting. It’s awesome with berries and cream.
Julie O on 1.28.2015
It’s in my recipe box, filed under Wacky Cake, and my husband requests it on a regular basis. It is one of only a couple recipes that I have from my mother-in-law. He requires it to be baked in two square pans for optimal frosting accessibility!!
Cheryl B on 1.28.2015
Did you know that yesterday (January 27) was National Chocolate Cake day? lol