This easy cake recipe popularized in the 1930s is a great way to add a sweet ending to any meal whether you’re on the campground or at home.
Made without eggs and dairy, wacky cake first became popular during the Depression as it yielded a deliciously moist and flavorful cake using just a few basic ingredients. We love this with just a dusting of powdered sugar, but you can add frosting and sprinkles as well!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. vinegar (white or cider)
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 6 Tbsp. vegetable or coconut oil
- 1 cup water or cold coffee
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Frosting:
- ½ cup butter or non-dairy margarine
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- sprinkles, for serving
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8-inch pan. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt into the pan.
- Make three wells in the dry ingredients. Pour vinegar into one well. Vanilla into the second well and vegetable oil into the third well. Pour 1 cup water or cold coffee over entire batter and mix until dry ingredients are evenly incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top springs back. Cool completely and frost, if desired. To frost, beat together butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
