This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
When I was younger I used to love looking through my mom’s old stuff from growing up. Her little white gloves that she wore to a dance, pictures from growing up, an old thimble, and a book of recipes, poems and letters from college. I loved it. I still love digging through the cedar chest and smelling that rich aroma and getting a feel for her life. I don’t know why but a recipe always stuck out to me, wacky chocolate cake.
I don’t know why, maybe just the name, “wacky” stood out to me as a little girl, but because I’ve never eaten much cake (bring on the cookies) I didn’t take the time to make it and enjoy it. The older I’m getting the more cake is making an appearance in my life and when I asked my mom for the recipe I got even more excited that this cake is great if you have dairy allergies or are vegan AND it’s all made in one bowl! BOOYAH!
Ok, I will say though, I think the cake sticks a little because it’s all stirred in the baking dish, but you can stir it in one mixing bowl if you prefer and then quickly dump it in. I like it best served warmed with chocolate frosting, but then again I also wear socks during the summer so I tend to like all things warm. It’s up to you!
What Can You Substitute for Eggs in Cake?
1 tablespoon of vinegar along with 1 teaspoon of baking soda can be substituted for 1 egg.
Both white distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar can be used.
You can substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of one egg.
Mashed Bananas, yogurt and silken tofu can also replace eggs in cakes.
Can You Use a Chocolate Cake Mix to Make Brownies?
Add 2 eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil to a chocolate cake mix.
Mix on low until combined.
The batter will be very thick.
One cake mix will make 2 9×9 pans of brownies.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Cake?
To freeze cake, cool completely.
Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 4-6 months.
Wacky Chocolate Cake
Wacky Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups Flour, sifted
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 5 Tablespoons Canola Oil
- 1 Cup Water
For Frosting
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream, plus more if needed
- Pinch Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease an 8x8" baking pan.
- Add the flour, sugar, soda, salt and cocoa powder and whisk well.1 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- Make three holes in the dry ingredients and in one add vinegar, another add vanilla and the last the oil.1 teaspoon Vinegar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla, 5 Tablespoons Canola Oil
- Pour the water over the top and quickly stir to combine.1 Cup Water
- Bake for 30-35 minutes and remove from the oven.
- Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes and frost while still barely warm.
For the frosting
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, mix the butter, vanilla, and cream until smooth.1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla, 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
- Add the salt, cocoa powder and powdered sugar and mix again, adding a little heavy cream if needed.Pinch Salt, 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder, 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy Chocolate Banana Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
It DOES work with gluten free floor. I add a teaspoon of cinnamon tho. It’s a go to recipe because we are gluten and dairy free.
Wow, that’s wonderful. What gluten free flour have you used? We’ve tried one blend without success but I’d love to try yours!
Just made this tonight and my husband is having a piece now. Loves it–he is a chocoholic! Only substitution I made was 1 tablespoon black cocoa for 1 tablespoon regular cocoa–but only in the cake. It is jet black! The frosting is wonderful as well. This will go into my regular file for sure!
Oh Carol, I’ve never even heard of black cocoa so now I’m dying to try it your way!
Just made this tonight. Only change I made was substituting 1 tablespoon black cocoa for 1 tablespoon of the regular cocoa. My husband is having a piece now and loves it. He’s a chocoholic! This will be added to my file as a winner!
This is the same recipe I would make as a young girl growing up in Pleasant Grove.
I love it! Brought back memories seeing it posted.
Thanks! Going to bake it soon!
Oh I love that! We lived in Pleasant Grove for a short time!
We love wacky cake! My mom was allergic to eggs when she was younger so this is our family’s go to chocolate cake. It’s so yummy with peanut butter frosting!
Yes!! Totally going to try it with peanut butter frosting!
Your frosting looks scrumptious! I tried licking the screen but it didn’t work. Guess I’ll have to make some.
haha!! I hope you love it!
Will it work with gf flour?
Hi Mary, I haven’t tried that yet, but I imagine it would since it’s a snack cake. I’ll experiment!
As soon as I saw that name, “Wacky Chocolate Cake”, I said I bet it’s the same recipe that my Mum made, and it was. But it was called a “Screwball Cake.” 🙂
I love it! And you say Mum which is pretty much awesome! love that!
wacky cake is SUCH a cool old timey recipe! I also love that it’s vegan and still looks SO moist!