Wacky Cake

By Candy Ayers
@CookingChic

This recipe is from Joanne Fluke's culinary mystery "Apple Turnover Murder". There are a number of variations of this recipe on JAP but this is the one I made. It is a very moist, not overly sweet cake. The instructions have been simplified from the steps in Fluke's book but the result was wonderful. Beginning bakers will love this recipe.

Rating:

★★★★★ 16 votes

Comments:

134 Comments

Serves:

6 - 8

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

30 Min

Method:

Bake

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
Wacky cake is spongy and unlike most desserts in that no eggs or milk are used to make it! Well, that just made mw want to try it all the more.

I believe this type of cake was developed as a result of the rationing during World War II, and it surely has stood the test of time. The cake isn't overly sweet and the powdered sugar gives it a little extra pop of sweetness. Want even more pop? Add your favorite frosting!

Ingredients

1 1/2 c: all-purpose flour
1 c: white (granulated) sugar
1 tsp: salt
1 tsp: baking soda
3: heaping tablespoons cocoa powder (about a quarter cup)
6 Tbsp: vegetable oil
1 tsp: vanilla extract
1 Tbsp: white vinegar (original author used raspberry vinegar and said it was good)
1 c: cold water

How to Make Wacky Cake

Step-by-Step

1Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together by hand. Add all the wet ingredients until well combined. Pour into a 8×8 pan which has been prepared with non stick spray.
2Bake for 30 minutes or until done. Serve warm or allow to cool and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
3Note: This would also be good served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. A light frosting might be good too but I wouldn't use anything heavy on this moist fluffy cake.

Printable Recipe Card