One-Pot Wonders

Wacky Cake (aka Depression Cake)

by:
November 27, 2020
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0 Ratings
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 35 minutes
  • Serves 8 inch square
Author Notes

During the Depression, when people rationed their eggs and butter, this simple, one-bowl cake became popular as an affordable way for families to get their chocolate fix with limited ingredients.

It's conveniently vegan, and allergen-friendly, too -- it contains no peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or eggs.

Frost with any simple frosting, a glaze of powdered sugar/water/vanilla (if you want to keep it vegan) or just sprinkle with powdered sugar after the cake has fully cooled. —Andrea

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • .5 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 5 tablespoons oil (a neutral oil like canola is best)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup water
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon or whisk. Or really, anything will work
  3. Add your wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix by hand until smooth and lump-free. Your cake batter will be runnier than you're used to. This is *not* a problem!
  4. Pour the batter into greased 8" square pan, or a 12-cupcake lined tray
  5. Bake in oven until a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 35 minutes for cake, or 20 minutes for cupcake
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