This chocolate crazy cake, or depression cake or wacky cake as it is sometimes known, contains no eggs, butter or milk. This cake only uses basic pantry staple ingredients, perfect for those times you have no eggs or butter on hand.

While the icing I have used to top this cake does contain butter and milk, that is completely optional. You could easily top this cake with a simple chocolate icing made using icing sugar, cocoa powder and enough water to make an icing consistency.

More easy cake recipes

Nothing beats the smell of a cake baking in the oven. For more easy cake inspiration, check out the recipes below:

Chocolate Crazy Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 self raising flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 cup water
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180c. Line a rectangular baking dish with baking paper and set aside.
To a large mixing bowl add the self raising flour, white sugar, cocoa powder, oil, vanilla extract, white vinegar and water. Mix until the batter is well combined and smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Allow to cool completely.
To make the icing, add the butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat for around 30 seconds, or until well combined. Add the milk a little at a time until the icing is a spreadable consistency.
Spread the icing over the cake and slice to serve. Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature.