Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (2024)

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5 from 21 votes

35 minutes minutes

by Marly

50

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This moist chocolate wacky cake recipe is so good! It’s basically a simple vegan cake that’s been around for nearly a hundred years. If you’re into chocolate, you’ll love this light and fluffy goofy cake that’s topped with a rich, indulgent, wacky cake frosting.

Be sure to use this amazing vegan chocolate frosting on top or go for something different with this vegan cream cheese frosting.

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (1)

We are loving this chocolate wacky cake because it’s rich and delicious, but oh-so-easy to make.If you haven’t guessed by now, I love a good cake!

What’s surprising is just how moist this cake is considering the limited ingredients and the minimal steps involved. Did you think the only way to a great cake was through a mixer? Think again!

When my mom first started talking about wacky chocolate cake recipe I was like, Wahhh??? Or, actually, I might have been a little more like, yeah, yeah, whatevs. But then one day my mom gave me her old recipe book, the one she’s been using for years. And then I started flipping through it and sure enough, there was a recipe for Wacky Cake and there it just so happens to be vegan!

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Why is This the Best Recipe?

  • No eggs or dairy are used, but you’d never know it because the flavor and texture is delicious
  • Super simple ingredients make this a go-to dessert any day of the week
  • Apple cider vinegar makes for a tender, irresistible chocolate cake!
Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (2)

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

You’ll need these ingredients for your wacky cake:

  • Flour — I typically use all-purpose flour, however, you could also use whole wheat pastry flour (not the same thing as whole wheat flour). If you want to use whole wheat flour, just do half and half with all-purpose flour. Alternatively, you can sub gluten-free flour as well.
  • Cocoa powder — I use natural cocoa powder for this cake, but you can use dutch-processed flour for a darker cake.
  • Sugar — You can use granulated sugar, raw sugar, or even coconut sugar here and all will work fine. I have experimented with reducing the sugar to 3/4 of a cup and it still works. Sugar plays a role in building structure and creating a more moist cake, so reducing it too much can make a dryer cake.
  • Baking soda — The only thing I have to say here is to make sure your baking soda is fresh. You can test it by adding a bit of vinegar to it in a small bowl. If it bubbles, you’re good to go.
  • Water — Are you surprised to see water in the list of ingredients? You may think you need to use something like a creamy plant-based milk. But, this cake gets its moisture from vegetable oil, so using water is just fine. In fact, it’s preferable.
  • Vegetable oil — Any vegetable oil should do here. I typically use canola oil. You can substitute melted coconut oil.
  • Apple cider vinegar — If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar will work as well. The purpose of vinegar is to interact with the baking soda and create rise in the cake as it bakes. I would call it a miracle, but it’s actually science.

How to Make Wacky Cake

  1. Stir together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, such as flour and sugar.
  2. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
  3. Make the batter by pouring the water mixture into the flour mixture and stirring until just combined.
  4. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  5. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.
  6. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar or a layer of vegan chocolate frosting..

I couldn’t believe how easy it is to make this wacky cake chocolate. No mixers, exotic ingredients, or even egg replacers. Just mix the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another bowl and then combine them together and, Eureka! You’ve got a rich, moist, and delicious vegan chocolate cake!

Step One: Combine Dry Ingredients

To begin, stir together in a large mixing bowl the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Set this aside.

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (3)

Step Two: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a smaller bowl stir together the vegetable oil, water, vinegar and vanilla.

Pour the water mixture into the flour mixture and then stir until combined. This recipe is so simple, it doesn’t even require a mixer!

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (4)

Step Three: Pour and Bake

Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

You can either serve the cake in the pan or allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes and invert it onto a serving plate. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar or top with vegan chocolate frosting.

Baking Variations

  • Make wacky cake cupcakes by lining a cupcake pan with papers and filling each with the batter until about 3/4 full. For cupcakes, I bake them for about 20 minutes, until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • For a 9×13 wacky cake, double the recipe, pour the batter into a prepared 9×13 cake pan, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Make a layer cake by doubling the recipe and baking the cakes in two round pans for 30 minutes.

Storage Tips

You can store a frosted, cut cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature. Longer than that and it will begin to lose its freshness. Store the cake in the fridge for up to 10 days. Individual slices can be stored in freezer containers and frozen for up to 2 months.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
I think this is my favorite chocolate cake of all time. Thank you so much for this recipe!

Mary

Frequently-Asked Questions

What is wacky cake?

The wacky cake has an interesting history. It’s been around since the Great Depression of the early 1900s, which is why it’s also referred to as Depression Cake. During the Great Depression, people didn’t have access to milk and cream, eggs, and even sugar, so they made do. The wacky cake is made without eggs or milk, and yet it’s moist and delicious.

What makes wacky cake so moist?

The combination of vegetable oil and vinegar added to the cake batter is what makes the wacky cake so moist. The vinegar helps soften the protein in the flour, making for a moist and fluffy cake.

Why do you put vinegar in chocolate cake?

There are two reasons to add vinegar to chocolate cake. First, the vinegar reacts with baking soda and produces a chemical reaction that creates a rise in the batter as it bakes. Second, vinegar helps soften the protein in the flour, creating a fluffy, moist cake!

New to Vegan Baking?

The idea of making cookies, cakes, or muffins without eggs or dairy can seem like a hill too tall to climb. But with the simple tips in my Guide to Vegan Baking, you’ll be baking like a vegan pro in no time!

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (5)

Marly’s Tips

I’ve made this cake so many times — it is definitely a go-to favorite! Here are some tips and tricks along with variations to make your vegan wacky cake recipe extra special:

  • Be sure to prepare your pan before you combine the wet and dry ingredients. This helps take advantage of the chemical reaction of combining the acid from the vinegar with the baking soda to make the cake nice and fluffy
  • You can add a piece of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan to make removing the cake from the pan easier. However, if you intend to serve the cake in the pan, you won’t need parchment paper
  • You can add chocolate chips to the batter to make a double chocolate cake

Vegan Frostings

I think the key to a great cake lies in its frosting. I’m a corner-piece, frosting-loving gal! So, if you’re looking for the best frosting for this cake, here are my favorites:

Avocado Frosting

7 mins total

Vegan Royal Icing

15 mins total

Vegan Raspberry Frosting

15 mins total

More Vegan Cakes

Healthy Chocolate Cake

35 mins total

Vegan Sheet Cake

40 mins total

Veganize Cake Mix

30 mins total

Suzy Q Cake

40 mins total

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (14)

I hope you enjoy this wacky cake as much as we do!

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (15)

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Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (16)

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (17)

Chocolate Wacky Cake

This tasty Chocolate Wacky Cake is a super simple, delicious cake that will leave you amazed thanks to a simple list of ingredients. This cake is perfect for a simple, weeknight dessert, or serve it all dolled up for a fancy weekend gathering!

5 from 21 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 9

Calories: 239kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 350°F/175°C. Spray a round cake pan with vegetable spray. You can also place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan and spray the sides with vegetable oil.

  • Combine in a large mixing bowl the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Stir to combine.

  • In a smaller bowl combine the vegetable oil, water, and vinegar. Stir to combine.

  • Pour the water mixture into the flour mixture. Stir until combined.

  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

  • Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar or top with Chocolate Frosting.

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

The nutritional estimate for this recipe is for the chocolate cake without frosting.

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

No eggs cakes recipes are pretty amazing! Here are some other delicious vegan chocolate cakes to try:

This post was originally published in 2016 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2020.

Easy Chocolate Wacky Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting (2024)

FAQs

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 icing goes well with chocolate cake? ›

Chocolate Ganache is the simplest, easiest and quickest frosting you can make for chocolate cake.

Can I use coffee instead of water in cake mix? ›

Try Adding Coffee to Boxed Baking Mix

Or try a more flavorful liquid than water. For chocolate treats, coffee or espresso is the best addition. "A fun trick that I love to do in homemade or boxed chocolate cake recipes is trade out the water ingredient for coffee!

What is a cake without cream called? ›

Oil Cake. Oil cakes follow the same principles as butter cakes, but use oil as the source of fat. Because oil is liquid at room temperature, oil cake recipes skip the step of creaming the fat and sugar; usually the oil is incorporated into the wet ingredients, which are whisked or folded into the dry ingredients.

What is the witches cake? ›

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.

What is 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)

How to make store-bought chocolate frosting better? ›

Raid your pantry for flavor boosters.

Other smooth ingredients that you can add to amp up a canned frosting are peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choosing), fruit preserves or jam, nutella, marshmallow creme, cookie butter, or a citrus curd.

Does chocolate cake with chocolate frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

The chocolate buttercream icing contains only butter, sugar and chocolate and these are all fine to store at cool room temperature so the cake does not necessarily need to be refrigerated. The cake also tastes best at room temperature.

Is box cake better with oil or butter? ›

The directions on the back of the box will tell you to add vegetable oil; for a denser crumb and bigger flavor, swap in unsalted butter. Melted butter can be used in the same quantity and manner as the fat called for in any boxed cake recipe.

Should you add an extra egg to cake mix? ›

Use an extra egg: Most boxed mixes will call for three eggs. Use four for a cake that's richer-tasting and moister. This tip is one I use practically every time I make a boxed cake mix. Substitute dairy: Replace the water called for on the package with dairy.

How much coffee should I add to chocolate cake? ›

To avoid overpowering the chocolate flavor, don't add more than one cup of brewed coffee; if your recipe calls for two cups of water, sub one cup of coffee and one cup of water. Here's a tip: Try refrigerating leftover coffee that would otherwise go down the drain for use in chocolate desserts.

What is a Kardashian cake? ›

For over 30 years, Hansen's Cakes in Los Angeles has been making cakes for the Kardashian-Jenner family — specifically their flower-topped basket weave cake. Recently, the cake gained viral fame when it was featured by TikToker @quinnhouses, whose birthday cake video quickly gained over 2.7 million views.

What is a dripping cake? ›

A dripping cake, also known as a dripper, is a traditional bread from Great Britain. The main ingredients are dripping, flour, brown sugar, spices, currants and raisins. The ingredients are mixed thoroughly and baked in an oven.

What is a cash cake? ›

Essentially, a money cake is a layer cake which is stuffed with foil-wrapped coins. They are washed, wrapped, and inserted into the cake pan prior to baking. The cake is then assembled normally, and iced completely, and when you cut into the cake you never know how much money will be in your slice, if any at all.

Why is it called miserable cake? ›

The next cake is called “Les Miserables”, which has nothing to do with the article written by French writer Hugo, but is a traditional cake from Belgium. It is said that at that time, more water was used to make custard sauce instead of milk, which meant “tragic”.

Why are they called sad cakes? ›

This cake is called sad cake because the cake looks sad. It actually "falls" during baking and is a flat cake. It may be sad looking, but it is moist, chewy, and sweet.

Why is cupcake called fairy cake? ›

These delicious treats go by this name because of their size, which is small enough for a fairy to eat. However, a version of “butterfly cakes” is a design that has wings on top of the cupcakes. Similar to a butterfly or a fairy's wings!

Why is it called a ding dong cake? ›

The Ding Dong is similar to other cream-filled cakes such as Arcade Vachon's Jos. Louis introduced before 1934. Hostess began marketing its Ding Dong in 1967. The name was given to coincide with a television ad campaign featuring a ringing bell.

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