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Wacky Cake

This was popular during the Depression and during war-time rationing because it uses no dairy: no eggs, milk, or butter. This recipe is from one of my grandmas. Makes a moist, dark, chocolate cake, albeit not as rich or deep as more complicated chocolate cake recipes. Easy to make because you mix it all together in the baking pan.

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Wacky Cake

Rich, moist, very easy chocolate cake. When it's this easy, there's no reason to make cake from a box.

Course Dessert
Keyword chocolate, chocolate cake, cake, frosting, icing, dessert, layer cake
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour regular, all-purpose
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • few drops red food coloring makes it look rich and dark

Instructions

  1. Dump dry ingredients into a 9 x 13 pan.
  2. Mix well.

  3. Stir in wet ingredients until most lumps disappear. Batter will be runny.

  4. Bake at 350 for 30–35 minutes.

Recipe Notes

For cupcakes, fill to about 1/2" from top and bake for 20 minutes.