Gma's Wacky Chocolate Cake

Dive into nostalgia with Gma’s Wacky Chocolate Cake, a charmingly simple, one-bowl dessert that’s light on effort but big on flavor! This vintage, eggless chocolate cake is made with pantry staples like flour, sugar, and cocoa powder, and gets its tender texture from a surprising combination of vinegar, vegetable oil, and water. Perfect for those seeking a dairy-free treat, this quick-to-make cake comes together in just 10 minutes and bakes to perfection in under 35. Ideal for busy weeknights, gatherings, or anytime you need a decadent chocolate fix, it’s delicious on its own or elevated with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Simple, budget-friendly, and utterly satisfying, this recipe is a must-try for chocolate lovers everywhere.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 0.33 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 4

Make three small wells in the dry mixture: one for the oil, one for the vinegar, and one for the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Pour the vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract into their respective wells.

Step 6

Add the cup of water over everything and stir until the batter is smooth and no dry spots remain. Do not overmix.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Step 10

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(780.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2166.0

Total Fat 79.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 44.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2449.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 374.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.3g	0%
Total Sugars 202.1g
Protein 30.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 112.0mg	0%
Iron 17.9mg	0%
Potassium 1117.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.5%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 64.3%