Go Back
–+ servings
Vanilla cake with piece taken out
Print

Vanilla Wacky Cake

Also known as Depression Cake or Crazy Cake, this vanilla cake comes together quickly without the need for eggs, butter or milk!
Servings 1 (7-inch cake)
Calories 5833kcal
Author Sara

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • Sprinkles

For the Frosting

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
  • In a greased round 7-inch pan, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
  • In flour mixture, make two smaller holes and one bigger hole.
  • Put vanilla in in one of the small holes and the vinegar in the other.
  • Pour the vegetable oil in the larger hole.
  • Evenly pour water over top.
  • Whisk all ingredients together until they are smooth.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Allow cake to cool for 20 minutes before flipping it out.
  • Repeat process to make the second layer.
  • Place one of the cakes on a plate and frost the top.
  • Put the other cake on top of the frosting.
  • Frost the sides and top of the two-layer cake.
  • Use your hands to press the sprinkles into the sides of the cake and sprinkle some over the top.

For the Frosting

  • Beat butter and salt together for 2 minutes or until fluffy.
  • Add powdered sugar 2 cups at a time, mixing in between.
  • Add vanilla and beat well.
  • Add heavy whipping creamy and mix until frosting is uniform.

Notes

Try frosting the cake over a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, allowing you to easily capture and reuse the sprinkles that fall off the cake.
I sometimes decorate the frosting in the middle of the individual cake pieces with a few more sprinkles, too!
To make a cake in a 9x13 inch pan, you will need to double this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 5833kcal | Carbohydrates: 825g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 281g | Saturated Fat: 142g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 50g | Monounsaturated Fat: 70g | Trans Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 555mg | Sodium: 3761mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 673g | Vitamin A: 6547IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 9mg