From the author Jake: I’m not joking – you can prep this amazingly moist chocolate cake in less than five minutes. You don’t even use a bowl!

This cake, however, isn’t my recipe. It’s my Mom’s. She made it her own over 30 years ago, as she said: “when you were only a small boy and had never even heard of veganism, nor had I for that matter.” Whenever I’m home visiting, I can be sure a crazy cake is waiting for me.

So, onto the recipe. It’s super easy, and I would bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry ready. Plus, it’s a great recipe to do with the kids in your life!

From Plant-Based on a Budget:

This recipe is truly a lifesaver! When you’re craving something sweet but have no motivation to bake anything, this is your cake. Minimal ingredients, kitchen cleaning, and time required. Perfect for a Saturday afternoon tea or a homemade birthday treat! Come check it out and be amazed!

How is it Crazy?

This seems like a pretty normal cake, right? Well, what makes it crazy to many people is the fact that it doesn’t have traditional cake-making ingredients, like eggs and milk. Back during the depression era when animal-based ingredients were harder for people to access, this cake was created to fill the need for cake lovers. It’s also called Depression Era Cake or Wacky Cake.

Get The Kids To Join!

The beauty of this cake is its simplicity, and that is the reason why this is a perfect recipe to get your kids involved whenever you decide to make it. Kids love to get their hands dirty and then admire the result of their hard work once it’s ready. Make it a family affair!

Recommended equipment:

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 cup of granulated sugar

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

3 tablespoons of cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

1 tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar

5 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil

1 cup of lukewarm water

Method