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4.7 from 453 votes

Wacky Cake

A chocolate cake with vanilla frosting - the recipe, which uses no butter, eggs or milk, was popular during WWII when rationing was prevalent.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 564 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Cake:
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 tbsp (rounded) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
For the Vanilla Frosting:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In an ungreased glass or ceramic 8-inch square pan (do not use metal), add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, and stir to combine with a fork.
  3. Make three wells in the mixture and to those wells add the vinegar, vanilla extract and vegetable oil. Pour the water over the entire mixture and mix with a fork until thoroughly combined and no dry ingredients remain.
  4. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 26 to 30 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  5. Make the Vanilla Frosting: Using the wire whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl once or twice. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.
  6. Using a spatula, spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the top of the cake. The cake can be stored, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature, for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition Information

Calories 564kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 73g (24%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Cholesterol 54mg (18%) Sodium 386mg (16%) Potassium 64mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 55g (110%) Vitamin A 630IU (13%) Calcium 12mg (1%) Iron 1.3mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 564

% Daily Value*

Calories 564kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 73g 24%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Cholesterol 54mg 18%
Sodium 386mg 16%
Potassium 64mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 55g 110%
Vitamin A 630IU 13%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 1.3mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.