Depression-Era ‘Crazy Cake’ Is Made Without Eggs, Milk Or Butter

Since the pandemic began, many have honed their culinary skills, and the Crazy Cake is a must-try delight! Spending time in the kitchen can be a joyous experience, especially when the outcome is delectable. The Crazy Cake, creamy, sweet, and delicious, is the next recipe you should try.

The dessert goes by many names: Crazy Cake, Wacky Cake, and War Cake, all referring to the same scrumptious treat—a moist and sweet cake made without eggs, butter, or milk.

Originating during WWI, hence the name "War Cake," it gained popularity again in the 1930s during the Great Depression, known then as Crazy Cake. It's a rich, moist, chocolatey masterpiece of culinary ingenuity.

During the Great Depression, many ingredients were scarce. Housewives, particularly those not living on farms with access to eggs, milk, or butter, had to be resourceful with the limited money and resources they had. Creativity was key in making desserts under these constraints.

In response to these challenges, women adapted by using less expensive ingredients. Sugar and flour, which were more affordable, became staples for providing calories without a high cost. This ingenuity gave rise to the Crazy Cake, a recipe that relies on economical ingredients to produce a cake that is both moist and well-risen.

Chef Michael Zebrowski explained it all:

“Butter usually serves to keep cake soft and tender by coating the flour in fat. preventing it from developing a tough gluten matrix. In this specific recipe, vegetable oil is the substitute with the same result. A mix of baking soda and vinegar substitutes the eggs. “

He mentioned that this mixture "foams up quickly, resulting in a light and fluffy cake."

Water or coffee can be added for moisture. Interestingly, coffee was quite accessible during the Great Depression. During the lockdown in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many found solace in baking to alleviate stress.

With the scarcity of certain supplies, resourceful ideas from the past resurfaced amidst job losses and growing uncertainties. This remarkable cake is a quick and simple choice, perfect for enhancing with frosting, cream, or ice cream for the ultimate treat!

Crazy Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. white vinegar
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 5 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup water (or coffee)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a greased 8-inch square baking pan, mix together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Create three depressions in the dry ingredients. Pour the vinegar into one, the vanilla extract into the second, and the vegetable oil into the third, larger one.
4. Pour water (or coffee) over the mixture and stir until smooth.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool, then top with your favorite frosting and enjoy!