This Depression-Era Wacky Cake Has No Eggs or Milk—But It’s Shockingly Delicious

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Wacky cake may just be the easiest dessert recipe we’ve ever developed. To make this vanilla cake at home, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep. And to keep things extra-easy, everything is mixed directly in the baking dish.

What Is a Wacky Cake?

A wacky cake, also known as crazy cake, is an egg-free, dairy-free cake that became popular during the Great Depression, when some baking ingredients were scarce. The easy dump cake is traditionally made with cocoa powder and mixed directly in the baking dish. This version puts a vanilla spin on the classic with just a bit of butter for added richness—while still keeping the easy one-pan mixing method.