Description

This Chocolate Depression Cake, also known as Wacky Cake, is a moist, rich chocolate cake made without eggs, milk, or butter. Topped with a creamy chocolate frosting, it’s a nostalgic, budget-friendly dessert that comes together quickly with pantry staples.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups (187 g) all-purpose flour

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

¼ cup (29.5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white vinegar

⅓ cup vegetable oil

1 cup (237 g) water

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)

1 tablespoon honey (for frosting)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

1 cup (125 g) confectioners’ sugar (for frosting)

3 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream (for frosting)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.
Add vanilla extract, white vinegar, vegetable oil, and water. Stir until fully combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
While cake cools, make the frosting: beat softened butter, cocoa powder, honey, vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar on low speed with a hand mixer.
Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches desired consistency.
Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and slice into 9 squares to serve.

Notes

Turn into cupcakes by baking in a lined muffin tin for 15–20 minutes at 350°F.
Replace some of the water with brewed coffee or flavored liqueur for extra flavor depth.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
Let chilled cake return to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freeze unfrosted cake wrapped in plastic; thaw before frosting.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 310
Sugar: 27g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg