World War Ii Cake

Discover the nostalgic charm of the World War II Cake, a simple yet decadent treat born out of necessity during times of rationing. This dairy-free and eggless chocolate cake, often called "Wacky Cake" or "Depression Cake," relies on pantry staples like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and vinegar to create an incredibly moist and tender crumb. Made in just one bowl—sometimes directly in the baking dish—it’s a quick, fuss-free dessert ready in under 40 minutes, including bake time. The unique vinegar and baking soda interaction ensures a fluffy texture without the need for traditional leavening agents, while the rich cocoa flavor shines through. Perfect on its own or topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, this historic cake is a timeless favorite for modern kitchens.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In the baking dish or a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to combine the dry ingredients.

Step 3

Make three small wells in the dry mixture. In one well, pour the white vinegar; in the second, pour the vanilla extract; and in the third, pour the vegetable oil.

Step 4

Pour the water evenly over the entire mixture. Use a whisk or fork to gently combine everything until you have a smooth batter. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5

If you are mixing directly in the baking dish, level out the surface of the batter with a spatula.

Step 6

Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 7

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking dish before slicing.

Step 8

Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream for added sweetness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(732.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2070.8

Total Fat 70.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 42g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2451.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 347.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 200.8g
Protein 21.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 62.0mg	0%
Iron 11.1mg	0%
Potassium 463.1mg	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: 29.9%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 65.9%