World War Ii Cake
Discover the nostalgic charm of the World War II Cake, a simple yet decadent treat born out of necessity during times of rationing. This dairy-free and eggless chocolate cake, often called "Wacky Cake" or "Depression Cake," relies on pantry staples like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and vinegar to create an incredibly moist and tender crumb. Made in just one bowl—sometimes directly in the baking dish—it’s a quick, fuss-free dessert ready in under 40 minutes, including bake time. The unique vinegar and baking soda interaction ensures a fluffy texture without the need for traditional leavening agents, while the rich cocoa flavor shines through. Perfect on its own or topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, this historic cake is a timeless favorite for modern kitchens.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
In the baking dish or a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to combine the dry ingredients.
Make three small wells in the dry mixture. In one well, pour the white vinegar; in the second, pour the vanilla extract; and in the third, pour the vegetable oil.
Pour the water evenly over the entire mixture. Use a whisk or fork to gently combine everything until you have a smooth batter. Be careful not to overmix.
If you are mixing directly in the baking dish, level out the surface of the batter with a spatula.
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking dish before slicing.
Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream for added sweetness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
261 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.7 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 280 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.2 g | ||
| Protein | 2.8 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 8 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 43 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
