In Good FlavorYou can’t beat Crazy Cake for its simplicity and convenience. What is most impressive is the list of ingredients. There are no eggs, milk, or butter—basic pantry items are all you need. This chocolate cake can be made anytime, even when the cupboard is almost bare!
When the fridge and pantry inventory are low, there is one delicious cake I can always pull out of a hat. Crazy Cake, also known as Wacky Cake, is one of my favorite easy dessert recipes. It became popular during the Depression when eggs, butter, and milk were scarce.
What’s crazy about this cake is it relies on vinegar and baking soda to serve as leavening and to create structure. These two key ingredients provide fluffiness and lift. The acidic nature of the vinegar affects gluten development to create form and structure. It’s the perfect cake for those who are egg-free or dairy-free.
If you are worried about a vinegary taste, rest assured—there is not a hint of it. The cake tastes like pure chocolate goodness.
Why it’s the easiest cake ever!
- It requires only basic pantry items: flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking soda, water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- No refrigerated ingredients are needed.
- Ingredients are entirely hand whisked. No electrical beaters.
- Easy cleanup. It can be mixed and baked in the same cake pan.
It. Does. Not. Get. Any. Easier!!
Recipe highlights:
- Add dry ingredients to the cake pan. Blend.
- Make 3 wells: large, medium, and small.
- Add oil to the large, vinegar to the medium, and vanilla extract to the small.
- Pour water over the mixture.
- Whisk for 50 strokes. The cake batter will be very runny.
- Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 30-40 minutes.
- Refer to the recipe card for detailed instructions.
How to make a “healthy” version:
Although not exactly healthy, I make a lighter version by adding mashed avocado. I also reduce the the oil, replace half of the sugar with a sugar substitute, and add flaxseed meal. It is moist and delicious! The exact amounts are detailed in the recipe card.
I have used only a powder sugar substitute (Stevia) and have not used a liquid sweetener. The added moisture of a liquid sweetener might affect the cake texture, but if you are curious, feel free to experiment!
For a little cheer and color today (and because it’s almost Eater!), I frosted and added sprinkles. The homemade frosting is easy but requires dairy and an electric beater. To entirely bypass this step, top with store-bought frosting, a simple glaze, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. It won’t disappoint!
Recommended supplies:
(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)
- An 8×8-inch baking pan. This one is non-stick and has silicone grips on the handles.
- Handheld wire whisk. This one is stainless steel, and I love the blue handle.
- An electric mixer. It’s not required for the cake, but it’s needed if you want to make the frosting. This one comes with a storage case.
- Small offset spatula for frosting the cake. This has a 4-inch blade, but it also comes in larger sizes.
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Chocolate Crazy Cake
Description
You can’t beat Crazy Cake for its simplicity and convenience. What is most impressive is the list of ingredients. There are no eggs, milk, or butter—basic pantry items are all you need. This chocolate cake can be made anytime, even when the cupboard is almost bare!
Ingredients
Buttercream frosting (optional):
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Add all the dry ingredients in an 8″ x 8″ cake pan. Whisk to combine.
- Make three wells, one large, one medium, and one small.
- Add oil to the large, vinegar to the medium, and vanilla to the small.
- Pour water over the mixture.
- Whisk to blend, about 50 strokes. The cake batter will be very runny.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few dry crumbs attached.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or frosting/glaze of choice. Dust with sprinkles.
- Beat butter for 2 minutes on medium-high until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add half of the powdered sugar, starting at a low and increasing speed. Beat until creamy.
- Add vanilla and 2 teaspoons milk.
- Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar. Beat for 2 minutes.
- Add more milk if needed for the desired consistency.
For the buttercream, optional:
Notes
- For a “healthy” version, make the following substitutions:
- Add 2/3 of a mashed avocado.
- Reduce the oil to 3 tablespoons.
- Replace half of the sugar with a sugar substitute (not liquid).
- Add 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal.
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I love sprinkles (as I think I've said)! You are certainly putting them to good use!
This cake looks so dark and moist, I'm drooling 🙂
I make this recipe in my home as your steps you write in this article and this is so easy to make this recipe. It is amazing to make and very interesting.
Very useful and helpful for me to make recipes like that very easily in my home.
Thank You!!!
Thank you Inger! Sprinkles are the most cheery and fun food. It’s so hard not to like them! 🙂
Thank you so much!! I love using the dark cocoa. It’s such a rich, dark color.
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