Hubbry Logo
Wacky cakeWacky cakeMain
Open search
Wacky cake
Community hub
Wacky cake
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Wacky cake
Wacky cake
Wacky cake
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Wacky cake
Dry ingredients for a wacky cake
TypeCake
Main ingredientsFlour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, vanilla extract

Wacky cake, also called crazy cake, lazy cake, Joe cake, wowie cake, and WW II cake,[1] is a spongy, cocoa-based cake.[2][3] It is unique in that unlike many pastries and desserts, no eggs, butter or milk are used to make the cake batter.[2][3][4][5][6]

Active ingredients in wacky cake include flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, salt and vanilla extract.[2] The eggless batter means that the structure of the cake is entirely supported by gluten, which is strengthened by the acidic vinegar and salt.[7]

Wacky cake is typically prepared by mixing dry ingredients in a baking pan and forming three hollows in the mixture, into which oil, vinegar, and vanilla are poured.[2][5][6] Warm water is then poured over, and the ingredients mixed and baked.[6][8][9]

Some recipes add brewed coffee as an additional ingredient. The cake may be topped with icing or confectioner's sugar, or even served plain.

The cake is a popular delicacy at bake sales in numerous rural regions of the United States. The dessert has also been included in 4-H competitions as well as home economics textbooks after World War II.[10]

History

[edit]

Wacky cake first gained prominence during the Great Depression, when ingredients such as dairy and eggs were harder to obtain.[2][3][5] Wacky cake later also became popular during rationing during World War II, when milk and eggs were scarce.[5][11]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wacky cake again became a popular dessert to bake during quarantine.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wacky cake

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Wacky cake, also known as crazy cake, , or war cake, is an eggless, butterless, and milkless that originated as an economical during periods of in the early , with its precise roots debated among rationing, the , and . It is prepared by mixing all ingredients directly in the baking pan, where a between soda and provides the leavening, resulting in a moist, tender texture without requiring specialized equipment or multiple bowls. This simple method, using vegan-friendly pantry staples like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, , , , and water, has sustained its popularity as a quick, versatile treat, often dusted with or frosted.

History

Origins

Eggless and dairy-free cakes emerged during the food rationing and conservation campaigns of in the United States, where economic constraints and patriotic efforts under the U.S. Food Administration, led by , promoted "Hooverizing" to reduce consumption of scarce resources like eggs, milk, butter, and wheat. These efforts encouraged home cooks to experiment with substitutes, including alternative leavening agents, to maintain basic desserts amid shortages. Initial recipes for resource-efficient cakes appeared in community cookbooks around , often compiled by local women's groups, featuring simple formulas that minimized rationed ingredients. Home economists and women's magazines disseminated these techniques, framing them as contributions to national morale. For instance, professionals like Jeannette Kelly, a county agent and home economist, taught adapted cooking methods in community settings. Such wartime innovations provided a foundation for later economical , though the specific chocolate wacky cake, using a vinegar and soda reaction for leavening, is documented from the early , with an early mention in a 1933 advertisement.

Wartime and Depression-Era Development

During the of the , economical cakes like wacky cake surged in popularity across American households as economic hardship made ingredients such as eggs, , and scarce and expensive. Families relied on pantry staples including , , cocoa, oil, , and to create treats without rationed or costly items. By the early , variations appeared in cookbooks under names like "," reflecting adoption in hard-hit regions. The onset of in the 1940s intensified food , especially for sugar and dairy, leading to refinements in wacky cake's one-pan mixing method to conserve resources and minimize dishwashing. This technique highlighted the cake's chemical leavening via and baking soda, enabling rise without eggs. efforts promoted similar eggless, butterless recipes in wartime cookbooks, such as the 1943 Swans Down "How to Bake by the Ration Book," offering guidance on with limited ingredients. The recipe spread nationwide during this period, becoming a household staple as women managed home fronts under strict quotas—such as 0.5 pounds of per person per week (approximately 2 pounds per month) introduced in —while supporting victory gardens and conservation. By the mid-1940s, wacky cake symbolized resilience, its simple assembly accessible in both rural and urban settings.

Characteristics

Ingredients

The traditional wacky cake recipe relies on a simple set of pantry staples that enable its eggless, dairy-free composition, making it an accessible dessert during times of scarcity. The core ingredients typically include 1½ to 2 cups of all-purpose flour for structure, 1 cup of granulated sugar for sweetness, 3 to 5 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate flavor, 1 teaspoon of baking soda as a leavening agent, ½ teaspoon of salt to balance flavors, ⅓ cup of vegetable oil for moisture, 1 tablespoon of white or cider vinegar for acidity, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for aroma, and 1 cup of water as the liquid base. Each ingredient plays a specific role in the cake's unique chemistry and texture. The vinegar acts as an acid that reacts with the baking soda to produce gas, providing the lift and tenderness without eggs or traditional leaveners like . The substitutes for or other fats, ensuring a moist crumb by coating the proteins and preventing excessive development. serves as a neutral medium to hydrate the dry ingredients and facilitate the , while the provides the foundational structure through formation during mixing and baking. Cocoa powder and sugar contribute not only flavor but also minor acidity and bulk, with enhancing the overall taste profile. The defining feature of wacky cake is its complete absence of eggs, , and , which was a practical to but results in an accidentally vegan product that remains light and fudgy. In early variants from the Depression era, the fat component sometimes incorporated or instead of , depending on household availability, before oil became the widespread standard in later recipes.

Preparation Method

The preparation of wacky cake employs a distinctive one-bowl method that mixes all ingredients directly in an ungreased 8x8-inch baking pan, minimizing equipment and cleanup. First, the dry ingredients—flour, , cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda—are sifted or whisked together in the pan to ensure even distribution. Three small wells are then formed in the dry mixture: is added to one, to the second, and to the third, followed by water poured evenly over the entire surface. The batter is stirred until smooth using a or , requiring no electric mixer or additional bowls, which enhances the recipe's simplicity and efficiency—particularly valuable during eras of resource scarcity like the and World War II . The pan is placed directly in a preheated at 350°F (175°C) and baked for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a inserted in the center emerges clean. This method relies on chemical leavening rather than eggs or mechanical , where the acid in reacts with the base in baking soda to produce gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise. The reaction can be represented as: NaHCO3+CH3COOH→NaCH3COO+H2O+CO2\text{NaHCO}_3 + \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \rightarrow \text{NaCH}_3\text{COO} + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2 In typical proportions, such as 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of , this generates sufficient gas for lift while forming , water, and the leavening CO₂. This self-contained process not only simplifies preparation but also exemplifies resourceful baking techniques developed under constraints.

Variations

Flavor Adaptations

While the traditional wacky cake is prized for its simple chocolate profile, bakers have long adapted it by incorporating chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and bursts of melted chocolate, typically using about 1/2 cup folded in after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. Substituting Dutch-processed cocoa for the standard natural cocoa powder yields a richer, smoother flavor with less acidity, enhancing the cake's depth without altering the core preparation method. For non-chocolate flavors, a vanilla version is achieved by omitting the cocoa powder entirely and increasing the to 1 3/4 cups while keeping the sugar at 1 cup, resulting in a light, tender cake that highlights the extract's aroma. A spice adaptation incorporates ground and into the dry ingredients, imparting warm, aromatic notes reminiscent of fall while maintaining the egg- and dairy-free structure. Add-ins like 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts provide a crunchy contrast when stirred into the batter just before , offering nutty flavor without complicating the one-bowl technique. Similarly, incorporating dried fruits such as raisins or in the same quantity adds subtle sweetness and chewiness, blending seamlessly with the cake's moist crumb. Common frosting pairings include a basic glaze, made by whisking 1 cup sifted with 1 teaspoon and 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons water until smooth and drizzleable, which adds a simple, sweet finish. For a more indulgent option, boiled icing can be prepared by combining 1 1/2 cups , 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa , 1/3 cup milk alternative (such as plant-based milk), and 1/3 cup butter alternative in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil over medium heat while stirring constantly for 5 minutes, then remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon , and beat until thickened and glossy before spreading over the cooled cake.

Modern Dietary Adjustments

Wacky cake's original formulation, which relies on plant-based ingredients such as , , cocoa, sugar, , and water, makes it inherently vegan, as it contains no eggs, , or other animal products. This characteristic has contributed to its rising popularity in plant-based baking communities since the early , with numerous adaptations emphasizing its simplicity and accessibility for those following dairy-free diets. To address common allergens, wacky cake can be easily modified for gluten-free diets by substituting with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, , or , maintaining the cake's moist texture through the chemical leavening reaction of baking soda and . For nut-free versions, the base recipe requires no changes, as it includes no nuts, though any optional add-ins like chopped nuts in frostings or toppings should be omitted to ensure safety for those with nut allergies. Low-sugar adaptations of wacky cake often involve using natural sweeteners like , which requires adjustments to liquid content to prevent a dry crumb. Since the , wacky cake has appeared in online recipes tailored for low-carbohydrate diets such as keto and paleo, typically using coconut flour for structure and as a to keep net carbs low, around 2 grams per serving, while preserving the cake's fudgy consistency.

Cultural Impact

Symbolism and Legacy

Wacky cake symbolizes thrift and ingenuity amid economic hardship and wartime scarcity, emerging as a resourceful dessert that bypassed rationed staples like eggs, milk, and butter to deliver indulgence without excess. Developed during the rationing of World War II, it reflects American resilience, transforming limitations into creative home baking that sustained families through the Great Depression and beyond. This unassuming chocolate treat embodies the era's ethos of making do, often celebrated in personal narratives as a testament to everyday innovation. Passed down through generations via family oral histories, wacky cake endures as a cherished "grandma's secret recipe," evoking and continuity in kitchens across America. Its legacy appears in mid-20th-century community cookbooks and texts, such as the 1963 Favorite Recipes of Home Economics Teachers and Peg Bracken's 1960 I Hate to Cook Book (under the name "Cockeyed Cake"), where it highlighted simple, efficient methods for busy households. A revival in the 1970s, fueled by for wartime simplicity, saw it reemerge on menus and in publications like Jean Anderson's The American Century Cookbook, cementing its place in American culinary . The cake's broader impact underscores women's pivotal role in , where it served as a practical tool for self-sufficiency and family nourishment during times of constraint. Featured in programs and textbooks aimed at rural housewives, it exemplified the skills taught to empower women in managing resources, building on early 20th-century movements for domestic . As a folk steeped in legend, its enduring appeal includes unverified tales of invention by a single resourceful baker in , though historical accounts point to anonymous food economists demonstrating it in the .

Contemporary Popularity

In the , wacky cake has seen a notable resurgence, driven by its simplicity and allergen-free profile, with recipes gaining viral traction on platforms like starting around 2020. Videos demonstrating the Depression-era treat, often highlighting its eggless and dairy-free preparation, have amassed significant views, appealing to home bakers seeking quick, nostalgic desserts amid modern pantry staples. Food blogs and recipe sites have further amplified this trend, positioning wacky cake as an accessible vintage option for contemporary kitchens. Today, wacky cake remains popular for everyday celebrations, including birthday parties and school events, where its inherent egg-free, dairy-free, and nut-free qualities make it ideal for allergy-friendly gatherings. Bakers adapt it for children's events or family occasions, praising its moist texture and flavor without needing special ingredients. Media exposure, such as Food Network's features in 2025, has reinforced its appeal, introducing the to new audiences through short-form videos and tutorials. The cake's global reach extends under names like "crazy cake," with adaptations appearing in North American and European recipe collections as a versatile, ration-inspired . On platforms like Allrecipes, it ranks among top , exemplified by the "Crazy Cake" variant earning a 4.7 out of 5 rating from over 1,000 user reviews as of 2025, reflecting sustained enthusiasm for its reliable results.

References

  1. https://www.allrecipes.com/wacky-cake-recipe-11687015
  2. https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/wacky-cake
  3. https://contingentmagazine.org/2020/12/18/personal-pan-histories-wacky-cake/
  4. https://mhs.mt.gov/_docs/Hooverizing_1.pdf
  5. https://www.thecollector.com/great-depression-foods-defined-america-1930/
  6. https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/artifact/how-bake-ration-book-swans-down-wartime-recipes-cakes-quick-breads-desserts-general-foods
  7. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/sugar-the-first-and-last-food-rationed-on-the-world-war-ii-home-front.htm
  8. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/victory-cake-recipe
  9. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7475/crazy-cake/
  10. https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-crazy20-2010jan20-story.html
  11. https://sweetlittlebluebird.com/tried-true-tuesday-crazy-for-crazywacky/
  12. https://www.food.com/recipe/wacky-cake-360156
  13. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8389/wacky-cake-viii/
  14. https://www.retrorecipebox.com/chocolate-depression-cake-wacky-cake/
  15. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=4147
  16. https://webs.anokaramsey.edu/chemistry/online/1020/volcanoreaction/volcanoreaction.pdf
  17. https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-one-bowl-chocolate-wacky-cake-240525
  18. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/baking-basics-dutch-process-natural-cocoa-powder/
  19. https://www.sprinklebakes.com/2020/03/vanilla-crazy-cake.html
  20. https://www.budgetbytes.com/chocolate-depression-cake/
  21. https://www.a-kitchen-addiction.com/wacky-cake-no-fail-fudge-frosting/
  22. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/242520/vegan-wacky-cake/
  23. https://namelymarly.com/vegan-chocolate-wacky-cake/
  24. https://cookingoncaffeine.com/chocolate-whacky-cake/
  25. https://www.peta.org/living/food/wacky-cake-recipes/
  26. https://wellvegan.com/wacky-grandma-wacky-cake
  27. https://www.theovenlight.net/2022/07/gluten-free-wacky-cake/
  28. https://miglutenfreegal.com/gluten-free-vegan-chocolate-cake/
  29. https://gfkitchenadventures.com/gluten-free-wacky-cake/
  30. https://www.ottosnaturals.com/blogs/recipes/gluten-free-chocolate-cake
  31. https://thesugarfreediva.com/sugar-free-chocolate-depression-cake/
  32. https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/sugar-free-low-carb-chocolate-crazy-cake-egg-free-dairy-free-nut-free-gluten-free/
  33. https://www.gnom-gnom.com/paleo-keto-chocolate-cake/
  34. https://atriumhealth.org/dailydose/2018/02/21/wacky-cake-recipe
  35. https://quaintcooking.com/2020/01/15/the-history-of-wacky-cake/
  36. https://food52.com/story/17343-the-story-of-american-cake-in-12-recipes
  37. https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/wacky-cake-tiktok-recipe-great-depression-recipe/
  38. https://nutfreewok.com/chocolate-wacky-cake/
  39. https://www.allergicprincess.com/egg-free-dairy-free-nut-free-cake/
  40. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMfxQwBoa11/?hl=en
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.