What Is Wacky Cake? A Depression-Era Recipe That’s Perfect for Today

Wacky Cake, also known as Depression Cake, Crazy Cake, or War Cake, became popular during the Depression (as you may have guessed) and experienced a resurgence during wartime rationing because it contained no pricey and scarce ingredients like eggs, butter, or milk—and it’s absolutely delicious. The “wacky” part is that the cake rises due to a combination of vinegar and baking soda, rather than eggs—a method that’s used today in some of my favorite non-wacky vegan cakes.

There are plenty of reasons besides price and scarcity to avoid milk, butter, and eggs, like the environment, your health, and most importantly, the inherent cruelty to animals in the egg and dairy industries. As a bonus, it’s incredibly easy to make and simple to convert into cupcakes, layers, or sheet cake. The chocolate version is the most well-known, but there are many variations. Here are just a few.

Chocolate Wacky Cake

You can’t go wrong with a classic.

Vanilla Wacky Cake

This cake is delicious as is, but it’s also a perfect canvas for any other flavors you might want to create. Replace the water with lemon or orange juice and add a little zest and you’ve got a flavorful citrus-y treat. Or try a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh blueberries.

Snickerdoodle Wacky Cake

Who doesn’t love a snickerdoodle?

Spice Wacky Cake Recipe

This makes a yummy breakfast treat and is perfect for the winter holidays.

There’s no downside to making moist, tasty vegan cakes without harming cows—loving mothers whose calves are torn away from them shortly after birth—or hens, who can complete complex mental tasks, learn from watching each other, demonstrate self-control, and worry about the future.

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