wacky cake

St. Paul, MN
Updated on Mar 7, 2020

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.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Wacky cake is spongy and unlike most desserts, because no eggs or milk are used to make it (a great recipe if your family has food allergies). It's a wonderful old-fashioned cake make from pantry items. Light and fluffy, this cake is full of chocolate flavor. It is incredibly moist and melts in your mouth. One taste and you'll be hooked. Perfect dusted with powdered sugar but feel free to top it the way you like. We 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.

prep time 20 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake
yield 6 - 8

Ingredients

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

How To Make wacky cake

  • Preheating the oven.
    Step 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Whisking together dry ingredients.
    Step 2
    In a medium mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together with a whisk.
  • Mixing in wet ingredients.
    Step 3
    Add all the wet ingredients until well combined.
  • Batter poured into a baking dish.
    Step 4
    Pour into an 8×8 pan which has been prepared with non-stick spray.
  • Cake after baking.
    Step 5
    Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Wacky Cake dusted with powdered sugar.
    Step 6
    Serve warm or allow to cool and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Wacky Cake with whipped cream on top.
    Step 7
    Note: 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.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swOak8-brzM

Discover More

Category: Cakes
Keyword: #cocoa
Keyword: #Wacky
Keyword: #cake
Method: Bake
Culture: American
Ingredient: Flour

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