Wacky Cake (Depression Era Cake)
With just a few simple ingredients at hand, you could be enjoying this delicious wacky cake, fashioned after the ingenuine recipes of the Great Depression era.
In times of scarcity and economic hardship, people turned to creative and resourceful ways to satisfy their sweet cravings. This humble yet surprisingly delicious wacky cake perfectly fits that definition.
Sure, we are no longer living in the times of Great Depression. However, with the recent rise of the cost of living, it’s good to have a budget-friendly cake recipe on hand.
This historic cake recipe developed during the Great Depression contains no eggs, butter, or milk. Back in the day, it captured the hearts and taste buds of many with its simplicity and accessibility. And since it is naturally vegan, we can all enjoy it too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Along with other recession recipes I have created, this delicious wacky cake is both indulgent and financially responsible.
- Many of the recipes from that era are incredibly simple. And this one is no exception! This Great Depression era chocolate cake has very basic ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. What’s more, it takes just over half an hour to make. What’s not to love?
- No need for extra dishes! The ingredients are mixed in the same dish they will be baked in. Which saves your time and reduces your water bills!
- This is a great base recipe for a chocolate sponge. Once it’s baked, you can adapt it to your taste, adding icing, sprinkles, or anything else you may like!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by preheating the oven to 350F. Line an 8×8 baking dish, or spray it with cooking spray.
Next, add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt straight into the 8×8 baking dish and stir the dry ingredients until completely combined.
Make two little wells in the flour. Add the oil into the first one, and in the second, pour in apple cider vinegar and vanilla. Finally, pour the water over top, then carefully stir everything together until you have a smooth cake batter.
Place it on the middle shelf in the oven and bake for approximately 28 minutes. A great way to check if your cake is ready is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it’s still wet, place your cake back into the oven for a couple more minutes.
Allow your wacky cake to cool completely before spreading icing on top. If desired, you can also add a few toppings you have on hand.
Hack It!
- For best storage, store your cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. That is, if you don’t eat it all at once!
- While the frosting is technically optional, it really elevates the cake to the next level! If you have access to vegan fronting at the store, you are more than welcome to use that. Alternatively, you can make your own. For instance, you could ice your cake with my aquafaba chocolate pudding. Just trust me on this!
- You can top your frosted cake with sprinkles, crushed nuts or seeds, or even fresh fruit if you have some. Yum!
- For some people, the flavor of the extra virgin olive oil is a little too much in a dessert, even when combined with other ingredients. If you’re going to swap it for something else, try to opt for another minimally processed oil such as coconut oil or avocado oil. However, to keep the recipe cost-effective, you can use any other oil of plant-based origin.
- Equally, you can use a different type of sugar. A great alternative to brown sugar is coconut sugar!
- For all of my gluten-free friends, you can try this recipe with all-purpose gluten-free flour. If the flour you are using doesn’t contain kanthan gum as one of its ingredients, I would recommend adding a pinch of it when you mix your dry ingredients together.
Best Equipment for Wacky Cake
Even though I am a big advocate of using what you already have, stocking your kitchen with quality cookware will make your plant-based journey much easier long-term.
For instance, high-quality cookware and appliances distribute heat evenly, allowing for precise cooking or baking temperatures. This efficiency can save time and energy in the kitchen and produce optimal results.
Plus, investing in durable pots, pans, utensils, and appliances means they will withstand regular use, resist wear and tear, and have a longer lifespan. This can save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to replace them as frequently.
If you haven’t got an 8×8 baking dish, my recommendation is to buy a glass or non-stick metal tin from a tried and tested brand. For this recipe, it’s also handy to have a set of measuring cups and spoons, as well as a good whisk and spatula.
Historic Connection
Historically, there is a notable connection between economic crises and plant-based cuisine. During times of economic hardship, such as the Great Depression, people often faced limited access to sources of animal protein and other expensive ingredients.
As a result, they turned to plant-based recipes out of necessity, as plant-based foods were often more affordable and accessible. Families had to get creative with their cooking, utilizing inexpensive staples like beans, rice, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables to create hearty and filling meals.
Even beyond economic crises, plant-based diets have long been associated with affordability and accessibility. In various cultures and regions around the world, plant-based eating patterns have been shaped by factors like poverty, agricultural practices, and cultural traditions.
Today, as rising living costs and economic challenges persist, plant-based recipes continue to offer an affordable and nutritious option for many individuals and families.
Whether by choice or necessity, embracing plant-based cooking and incorporating more plant-based ingredients into meals can be a practical response to economic uncertainties, echoing the resourcefulness and adaptability of generations past.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Homemade Healthy Granola
- Healthy Blueberry Jam Without Pectin
- Oat Pulp Truffle Recipe
- Three-Ingredient Magic Fudge Cake
- Vegan Freezable Oat Pancakes
If you love budget-friendly meal prep, check out the PlantYou Planner! This digital meal planner platform allows you to plan ahead with ease. The planner database has over 600 whole-food, plant-based recipes for you to choose from. Plus, you can customize the number of portions to accommodate households of any size! Plant-based living has never been easier.
I also could not be more grateful for the outpouring of support that the PlantYou Cookbook has received so far. My main goal as a plant-based content creator has always been to get people to eat more plants. And with this book, I feel like my dream has finally come true! If you’ve had a chance to get your copy, it would mean a world to me if you could leave a review!
The Recipe: Wacky Cake
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
Other
- ¾ cup chocolate frosting, vegan, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick oil.
- Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to the 8×8 dish and stir until completely mixed.
- Make two wells in the flour. In one, pour in the oil, and in the second, add the apple cider vinegar and vanilla. Pour the water over top, and then gently stir until a cake batter is formed.
- Bake for approximately 28 minutes, until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before coating with icing. Store in a sealed container on the counter for up to 3 days.
