Crazy Cake (No Eggs, Milk, or Butter!) (2024)

ByJaclyn Shimmel On Updated

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This vintage crazy cake recipe is made without any eggs, milk, or butter. The result is a rich, moist, fudgy, and absolutely delicious chocolate cake.

Like these old-fashioned no-bake cookies and this fruit co*cktail coconut cake recipe, this is the kind of recipe you are likely to find in your grandma’s cookbook. You might have even made the depression era wacky cake recipe with her as a child!

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Also known as wacky chocolate cake, the dessert became popular during the great depression and the 1940s when some common cake ingredients were expensive and difficult to come by. The innovative bakers went to work to make a cake with affordable ingredients that they had in their pantry and the crazy chocolate cake was created.

The budget-friendly recipe calls for just a few simple pantry ingredients and no dairy. That is right–no eggs, no milk, and no butter!

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Since the depression-era cake is made without eggs or dairy, it makes the cake naturally egg-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

The simplicity of this old-fashioned cake recipe makes it a fun recipe to make with the kids, too.

And if you thought one-bowl desserts were amazing, wait until you try this no-bowl dessert. Everything is mixed right in the cake pan, making clean-up a breeze.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

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For this easy cake recipe you will need a handful of basic pantry staples:

  • all-purpose flour
  • granulated sugar (white sugar)
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • vegetable oil- canola oil would work, too.
  • white vinegar- apple cider vinegar can be used instead if you prefer.
  • vanilla extract
  • water

How to Make Crazy Cake

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

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  1. Add the dry ingredients to an ungreased 8″ square or round baking pan.
  2. Gently whisk the ingredients together.
  3. Create 3 wells in the mixture for the wet ingredients. Pour the oil, vinegar, and vanilla into the wells.
  4. Pour water over the top of the cake.
  5. Mix until well combined.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Serve the rich chocolate cake plain, with your favorite frosting, or topped with powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I often just use a tub of pre-made chocolate frosting from the store.

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Storage

Unfrosted cake: Cover with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Frosted cake: Depending on the frosting you use you may need to refrigerate the cake. In the fridge the cake will keep for up to 4 days.

Baking Tips and Variations

  • Don’t be tempted to try to skip the vinegar. Vinegar is a necessary ingredient in this simple chocolate cake recipe. It interacts with the baking soda to cause the cake batter to rise as it bakes.
  • Make a vanilla cake instead by omitting the cocoa powder and adding 1/2 teaspoon more vanilla.
  • Double the using a 9 x 13 pan and increase the baking time to 35 minutes.
  • Use the batter to make “Wacky Cupcakes”. Watch them in the oven because the baking time will be reduced.
  • Try subbing brewed coffee for the water called for in the recipe to enhance the chocolate flavor. You can substitute the entire cup of water for coffee or do 1/2 cup coffee and 1/2 cup water.
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Recipe FAQ

Is crazy cake the same as wacky cake?

Yes, this World War II era cake goes by several names. I have heard it referred to as crazy cake, wacky cake, three-hole cake, chocolate depression cake, and war cake.

Does crazy cake freeze well?

Yes, this delicious cake freezes beautifully!

Can you skip the vinegar?

No. Vinegar is a necessary ingredient for making wacky cake. Without it the cake won’t rise or have the right texture. Don’t worry, the cake does not taste like vinegar at all!

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil to make the cake?

While you could use olive oil I recommend against it as it will likely alter the taste of the cake. I know some of my readers swear by using olive oil in cake recipes so you can definitely give it a try if you would like.

Does crazy cake have to be mixed in the cake pan?

No. You can mix the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and then transfer the wet batter to your baking pan.

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More Easy Dessert Recipes

  • Chocolate cherry dump cake – 3 ingredients!
  • Snickers apple salad
  • OREO poke cake
  • Peanut butter fudge – 3 ingredients!
  • One-bowl brownies
  • 3-ingredient banana bread

Recipe

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Recipe

4.58 from 118 votes

Crazy Cake

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

This easy crazy cake recipe is made without eggs, milk, or butter. The result is a rich, fudgy, and moist chocolate cake with a tender crumb.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cold water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.

  • Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to an ungreased 8-inch round or square baking pan. Whisk to combine.

  • Make 3 wells in the mixture. One larger hole and 2 smaller (see image). Pour oil, vinegar, and vanilla into the wells.

  • Pour water over all of the ingredients. Mix well with a fork, making sure to get all the dry mix that gets stuck in the corners.

  • Before baking, give the pan a couple of taps on the counter to help release any bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

  • Serve plain, topped with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting. If frosting, allow the cake to cool to room temperate first.

Notes

You could also combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl and then pour into the 9 inch pan.

To store, cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Unfrosted cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If frosted, store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The unfrosted cake also freezes well.

You can double the crazy chocolate cake recipe using a 9 x 13 pan and upping the baking time to about 35 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

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Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

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Crazy Cake (No Eggs, Milk, or Butter!) (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called crazy cake? ›

Wacky cake is considered wacky not only because the recipe lacks any dairy or eggs but also because all the ingredients for this cake are mixed directly in the pan it is baked in. This recipe goes against the most popular methods for mixing cake batters, especially since there is no bowl or whisk necessary.

What happens to a cake without enough eggs? ›

You will end up with an edible cake but it will not turn out as the recipe intended because it won't rise so much and the texture will be denser. It's better to add 2oz or 3–4 tablespoons of something wet to replace the missing egg.

What is another name for wacky cake? ›

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

What is a goofy cake? ›

Classic, rich chocolate cake coated in thick chocolate ganache. Cream, yoghurt or ice-cream optional.

Why is it called Devil's cake? ›

There are a few theories as to how it got its name. One, it's the decadent counterpart to angel food cake. Two, it's sinfully delicious. Finally, devil's food cake came about during a time when food that was spicy, rich, or dark was described as deviled, like deviled ham and deviled eggs.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in cake mix? ›

Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.

What can I substitute eggs for in a cake? ›

Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

Can I use oil instead of eggs? ›

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a leavening agent you can try a commercial egg replacement product (see above) or the following mixture: 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder per egg.

Why is it called buckle cake? ›

A buckle is a funny name for an old fashioned fruit studded coffee cake. Like many other desserts in the extended cobbler family buckles take their name from their appearance—grunts grunt as they cook, slumps slump when served, buckles—you guessed it—buckle.

Is it whacky or wacky? ›

Although the original spelling of this word meaning “crazy” was “whacky,” the current dominant spelling is “wacky.” If you use the older form, some readers will think you've made a spelling error.

What is a Jake cake? ›

A favorite from many years ago, named after Amy's son Jake. It's a pillowy, heavenly angel food cake made with fresh egg whites, cane sugar, a little flour, and lots of vanilla extract and beans.

What is a Drake cake? ›

The premise of the Drake Cake is simple. You make your best attempt to recreate the Canadian rapper Drake's 2013 album cover, Nothing Was The Same, on a cake — and the challenge has produced some hilarious and viral results.

What's a dog cake? ›

This cake is made from dog-friendly ingredients that are nutritious and delicious! I've used a combination of banana, carrot, peanut butter, egg, and oats to create this cute little cake, but feel free to substitute the fruits and veg with your dog's favorite.

Why is it called Elvis Presley cake? ›

Before it's served, you'll add a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle candied pecans on top for some crunch. Internet lore would have you believe this pineapple-topped concoction was Elvis Presley's favorite cake, that he even asked his grandmother to make it for him as a kid.

Why is it called conspiracy cake? ›

“We actually didn't pick the name,” she explained. “It was set by the supplier and we loved it so we kept it. But I imagine it was named because a group of pastry chefs wanted to make a cake so delicious and rich in chocolate that people would stop buying all other cakes!”

Why are they called sad cakes? ›

The name appears to derive from 'sad' as a term for cakes which have failed to rise, though in this case they are made of plain paste and not intended to rise. Given in 'The dialect of Leeds and its neighbourhood (1862) by C Clough Robinson as; "SAD-CAKES.

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