Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (2024)

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Chocolate Depression Cake, or Wacky Cake is a unique retro cake recipe that uses basic pantry ingredients, but no eggs! This chocolate cake recipe was made to use what you had on hand. It is a simply delicious chocolate cake!

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (1)

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake

The Great Depression was a scary time for Americans. This time of scarcity lasted about 10 years, and had a global reach.

For housewives, and others who made the meals for their families, getting creative in the kitchen was a must. They had to use what they had on hand, or could get cheap, if at all.

This retro chocolate cake recipe speaks to the cleverness of those cooks, and shows us what is possible to make with less.

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (2)

What this Cake Doesn't Have

Amazingly this is a chocolate cake made without eggs, butter, or milk. I read that many people even made it without sugar!

Luckily there are ingredients that work to make a cake rise, and to make it moist.

I do think that even though this is a Depression Cake, it must have been a splurge for most people in those days.

The steps to make this retro chocolate cake recipe are simple. Here they are:

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (3)
Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (4)
Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (5)

The original recipe did not call for frosting, but I like to frost my cakes, so I use my Nana's recipe for Easy Chocolate 1 Minute Icing.

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (6)

This cake is tender, moist, and has a nice flavor. It tastes a lot like Devil's Food Cake when you make it with coffee.

Making it with water is also good, and the cake has a lighter flavor.

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Pin This Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (7)

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (8)

If you make this chocolate cake recipe, let me know! Just leave a comment with a star rating below, I'd like to know how you liked it!

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (9)

Depression Cake - Wacky Cake

A delicious retro chocolate cake recipe that uses no eggs! Mix it all in the baking dish.

5 from 11 votes

Print Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 3 hole cake recipe, crazy cake recipe, depression chocolate cake, wacky cake recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 9

Calories: 246kcal

Author: Sandy Clifton

Equipment

  • 8"x8" Baking Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons White Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 cup Cooled Coffee or Water I use half coffee / half water

Instructions

  • In an ungreased 8"x8" baking dish, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk together.

  • Make 3 small wells in the mix. Add the oil to one, vinegar to another, and vanilla to the third.

  • Pour the coffee (or water) over and gently whisk together just until combined.

  • Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake.

  • Remove from oven and let cool in dish on a wire rack.

  • Frost if desired (the original had no frosting, but we like 1-Minute Chocolate Frosting

  • Cut into 9 squares and serve.

Notes

Easy Chocolate 1 Minute Icing

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Sue says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (14)
    Every year my son requests this cake for his birthday. This is the first time I used coffee. I am so happy I did because it turned out great. Thank you.

    Reply

  2. KT says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (16)
    This cake recipe was FANTASTIC!!! It was so moist and rich and the rise on the cake was amazing! I will definitely be making this recipe again and again!

    I did sift the dry ingredients to eliminate any lumps before adding the liquid ingredients, added an extra half teaspoon of vanilla extract and reduced the vinegar to 1 tsp. I frosted the cake with some warmed Nutella spread in which I added about a tsp of coconut oil. WOW!

    Thanks for sharing this great retro recipe!!

    Reply

  3. Terry says

    Can this be adjusted to make in a 9 x 13 pan?

    Reply

    • Sandy says

      I would say to double the recipe, but I have not tested it. The cook time may need to be altered a little as well.

      Reply

  4. Carol Brasington says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (17)
    I've made this cake several times now and it's always FANTASTIC! Thank you.

    Reply

  5. Audrey says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (18)
    My grandmother and mom made this and mom made it for my birthday a few times with mini marshmallows melted in oven and then put chocolate frosting on top of marshmallows.
    I had lost the recipe, so glad I found it on Pinterest.

    Reply

  6. Chris says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (19)
    SOOOO yummy and easy to make. My 3 granddaughters made it with me. Now it's a weekly date for wacky cake 🎂

    Reply

    • Sandy says

      So fun!

      Reply

  7. Collenev says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (20)
    Great recipe. Thanks so much! If I want to make a white cake, do I just omit the cocoa powder?

    Reply

    • Sandy says

      Yes. You can add a few Tablespoons of vanilla pudding mix if you want for a great vanilla flavor.

      Reply

  8. Susan loeppky says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (21)
    I have been making this cake for 60 years now never fail cake recipe

    Reply

  9. Sharlima Colbeck says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (22)
    I made this cake for my daughter who is vegan. Loved it great recipe .Will make it again.

    Reply

  10. Briyana says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (23)
    Such a yummy cake!! I made some for my husband and I, my Grandma, and his co-workers and everybody loved it!! My grandma requested me to make another cake just the other day. 😂

    Reply

  11. Cindy says

    Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (24)
    I made this cake this evening ,wow it was amazing loved it I have to have frosting on my cakes ,I’m gluten free and soy free so I made it with gluten free flour and it still came out great ,my husband has no allergies just me and he loved this cake thx

    Reply

Chocolate Depression Cake - Wacky Cake - Retro Recipe Box (2024)

FAQs

What was depression cake made of? ›

Depression cake
A modern chocolate depression-style cake.
Alternative namesMilkless Eggless Butterless Cake, Boiled Raisin Cake, War Cake
TypeCake
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsFlour, apples or pears, raisins or prunes, spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)

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 the history of the crazy cake? ›

People in the United States made the cake during the Great Depression and during World War II which lasted from December 11, 1941, to September 2, 1945. The cake has no eggs or butter. It sometimes has sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, white vinegar, vegetable oil, and water.

Why is it called wacky 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 was the original birthday cake? ›

However, the link between cakes and birthday celebrations may date back to ancient Roman times; in classical Roman culture, cakes were occasionally served at special birthdays and at weddings. These were flat circles made from flour and nuts, leavened with yeast, and sweetened with honey.

Why is it called Devil 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.

What is Matilda cake made of? ›

This from scratch Matilda cake is made with simple ingredients like flour, dutch cocoa powder, oil, sugar, eggs, sour cream and freshly brewed coffee.

What is Dora cake made of? ›

A classic Japanese Dessert Dora Cake or traditionally called Dorayaki Cake, is a sweet treat made with two pancakes that are sandwiched using sweet red bean paste. I'm eagerly excited to teach you this delicious confection. Dora cake is a highly popular dessert originating from Japan.

Who invented the wacky cake? ›

The origin of wacky cake is murky, but most sources link it to the Depression or World War II eras. With its notable absence of eggs, butter or milk, both time periods make sense. Recipes vary, but they typically contain cocoa powder, oil, vanilla, vinegar and water and are mixed using the “divot” method.

What is the slang word for drugs cake? ›

What drug is cake slang for? In slang for drugs or street terms, cake refers to “Kilogram of Cocaine.” Cocaine has had a lot of street names and terms associated with it over the years.

What is the slang word for cakes? ›

Another word meaning ass or butt.

What is the oldest cake in the world? ›

The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens. During the reign of Pepi II from BCE 2251 to 2157, bakers mixed up a wheat dough for flatbread and filled it with honey and milk. The dough was poured into two pre-heated copper molds that fit tightly together.

What is a goofy cake? ›

Rich chocolate cake coated in thick chocolate ganache. Delicious decadence in every mouthful.

Who ate all the chocolate cake? ›

Bruce Bogtrotter is an overweight boy from Roald Dahl's book Matilda. He steals a slice of Miss Trunchbull's cake and is punished by being forced to eat a whole 18 inch chocolate cake in front of the whole school.

What were medieval cakes made of? ›

Amongst the most common ingredients in medieval cake baking were honey, fruit, nuts, spices and cheese. These are all of course ingredients that we still love to see in our cake baking today. Nice to see that some things haven't really changed.

What was the usual filling for a soul cake? ›

The cakes are usually filled with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger or other sweet spices, raisins or currants, and before baking are topped with the mark of a cross to signify that these were alms.

What was the witch cake in the 1600s? ›

In 17th century England and New England, it was believed that a "witch's cake" had the power to reveal whether witchcraft was afflicting a person with symptoms of illness. Such a cake or biscuit was made with rye flour and the urine of the afflicted person. The cake was then fed to a dog.

How was a witch cake made? ›

A bizarre form of counter-magic, the witch cake was a supernatural dessert used to identify suspected evildoers. In cases of mysterious illness or possession, witch-hunters would take a sample of the victim's urine, mix it with rye meal and ashes and bake it into a cake.

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