Chocolate Depression Cake is the easiest cake ever and you only need a few simple pantry ingredients. This decadent cake does not require eggs, milk or butter making it so simple to bake.
What do you bake when you are low on ingredients? This Chocolate depression cake! You will love having such an easy cake recipe on hand.
This delicious cake only calls for pantry ingredients but turns out so decadent and amazing. It is always a hit and definitely does not disappoint.
The chocolate icing is just as easy and makes the cake even better. You have to try this amazing cake. We also make Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake and Crazy Banana Cake.
Table of contents
What is Crazy Cake Recipe?
Crazy cake or you might know it as Depression Cake is a delicious cake recipe with only a few ingredients. It does not have the “normal” cake ingredients. You will notice that it is missing eggs, milk and butter.
Depression Cake or War Cake was created during the Great Depression. Because eggs, milk, and butter were to come by, this created without it.
Adding the Chocolate Frosting really brings the cake together. We love how rich and decadent this cake is. Easy ingredients and simple process makes this cake a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
Cake
- All-Purpose Flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Baking Soda. Best Baking Soda Substitutes
- Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla extract is best.
Frosting
- Butter. Melted
- Powdered Sugar. Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- Milk. I prefer to use whole milk.
Find the complete ingredients for this cake at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Depression Cake Topping – Instead of frosting cake, you can dust with powdered sugar. We love the way it looks, and it keeps the cake dairy free.
- Gluten Free Option – You can make this cake gluten free but using gluten free flour. Also, check the other ingredients such as sweetener to make sure no gluten is added.
- Add Sprinkles – Anytime we make a cake, sprinkles are always a fun addition.
- Change the Cake Flavoring – Make vanilla depression cake without adding the cocoa powder.
How to Make Chocolate Depression Cake
- Step 1. Preheat Oven – First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2. Combine the dry ingredients – Next, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
Step 3. Mix together until well blended.
Step 4. Combine the wet ingredients – In a separate large bowl, whisk the water, vanilla, vinegar, and oil together.
Step 5. Combine the dry and wet ingredients together. Then pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch square pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
How to Make Frosting
- Step 1. Stir Butter and Cocoa together – Combine the butter and cocoa into a mixing bowl and stir by hand.
- Step 2. Add in remaining ingredients – Add in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to the cocoa mixture. Then combine with a hand held mixer until the frosting is fully formed.
- Step 3. Top Cool Cake with Frosting – Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
- Step 4. Serve and Enjoy – Slice and serve cake immediately and enjoy.
FAQs
Yes, this depression cake can be frozen, but we recommend freezing the cake without it being frosted.
Cool Cake – It is best to freeze the cake same day you baked it. We recommend wrapping the cake without it being the in pan.
Plastic Wrap – Place a plastic wrap over the top of the cake and then place a cutting board on the top. Then flip cake over and remove from pan. Then wrap the bottom of the cake with plastic wrap, making sure the cake is covered.
Cover in Foil – Then wrap cake in foil and place in the freezer. It will stay good for about a 1 month in the freezer.
Remove cake from freezer and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. Then remove foil and plastic wrap and place on a serving platter. Cake should be completely thawed after about 2 hours.
Then frost cake and serve and enjoy.
Yes, this cake would be perfect for individual size cakes. Prepare your muffin pan and line it with cupcake liners. Then fill the cake batter about ¾ full in the cupcake liners.
Bake cupcakes for about 15 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees. Use a toothpick to check to see if cupcake is done. Toothpick should come out clean when inserted.
You can store this cake frosted or unfrosted in the refrigerator. If you are storing frosted, make sure that the frosting has slightly harden before placing in the refrigerator.
Cover with plastic wrap or put inside an airtight container and will stay good for about 3-4 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Ice Cream – A scoop of No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with this easy chocolate cake is the perfect combination.
- Glass of Milk – My kids loving have a tall glass of cold milk when eating this chocolate cake.
- Drizzle with Chocolate – I love chocolate cake recipes, so I love to drizzle with some Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe.
- Top with Whipped Cream – Add a spoonful of Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe on top.
Pro Tips
- Make in a 9×13 pan – If you double the recipe, you can make this cake in a 9 x 13 pan.
- Separate Ingredients – Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Once combined, then mix all the ingredients together.
- Serve Cold or Warm – This cake is great served warm straight out of the oven or cold.
- Don’t overmix the batter – Combine until the ingredients are just mixed or the texture will not have a light and fluffy texture.
More Easy Cake Recipes
- White Texas Sheet Cake
- Crazy Cake Recipe
- Chocolate Brownie Cake
- Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
- Chocolate bundt cake recipe
You will love this easy Wacky Cake and how the chocolate flavor taste. Please try it and leave a comment once you do.
Chocolate Depression Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup water
Frosting Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp Butter Melted
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tbs Milk
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Cake Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla, vinegar, oil and water.
- Then mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a hand held mixer until they are thoroughly combined.
- Pour into a greased 8X8 baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Directions:
- Combine the butter and cocoa into a mixing bowl and stir by hand.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and combine with a hand held mixer until the frosting is fully formed.
- Spread the frosting on the cake and serve immediately. Enjoy!
I’ve made this with my grandmother and aunt growering up.
I love it
I have been making this cake for many years. My recipe is very similar to yours however I use 4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup) of baking cocoa and dissolve 1 teaspoon of instant coffee into the water before mixing into the other ingredients. (I use hot water and do this step first). There is no coffee taste but the chocolate flavor is enhanced. This is a quick and easy dessert and a family favorite.
Thanks so much for stopping by! So glad you love this cake.