Wacky Cake
📜 Collection: Patsy Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic Depression-era chocolate cake that is magically moist and rich without the use of eggs, butter, or milk. This simple, one-pan recipe is mixed directly in the baking dish for effortless preparation.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | 30 mins | None | 9 servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- 9x9 inch cake pan
- Whisk
- Fork
- Spoon
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 1/2 cups | Flour | all-purpose |
| 1 cup | White Sugar | granulated |
| 3 tablespoons | Cocoa | unsweetened |
| 1 teaspoon | Salt | fine |
| 1 teaspoon | Baking Soda | none |
| 1 tablespoon | Vinegar | white |
| 1 tablespoon | Vanilla | extract |
| 5 tablespoons | Salad Oil | vegetable or canola |
| 1 cup | Water | cold |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Dry Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In an ungreased 9x9 inch cake pan, sift or whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup white sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda.
Step 2: Create Wells and Mix
- Using the back of a spoon, make three depressions in the dry ingredients.
- Pour the 1 tablespoon vinegar into the first dent, the 1 tablespoon vanilla into the second, and the 5 tablespoons salad oil into the third.
- Pour the 1 cup cold water over the entire mixture.
- Mix with a fork directly in the pan until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
Step 3: Bake
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before serving.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Original Recipe Scan
