Shannon here: Janalyn Voigt shares a recipe for Wacky Cake, plus winner’s choice of a signed copy form any one of the Montana Gold books (U.S. only). Leave a comment explaining which book you would choose plus answer the question in this post to enter. Deadline:Aug 10th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Janalyn:
Discovering Wacky Cake: A Quirky Dessert Adventure for Sweet Romance Enthusiasts
Greetings, fellow lovers of sweet tales and culinary delights! Today, let’s delve into the enchanting world of Wacky Cake—a whimsical treat that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also whispers tales of love and resilience from bygone eras. If you adore stories where creativity and passion intertwine, get ready for a nostalgic journey and a recipe that’s cherished through generations of romance and sweetness.
What is Wacky Cake?
Wacky Cake, also known as Crazy Cake or Depression Cake, emerged during the Great Depression in the 1930s. It was a time when ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk were either scarce or too expensive for many families. In response to these challenges, resourceful home cooks devised recipes that didn’t require these costly ingredients. Wacky Cake cleverly omits eggs and dairy, relying instead on pantry staples such as flour, sugar, cocoa powder, vinegar, and oil.
The name “Wacky Cake” reflects its unconventional method of mixing the ingredients directly in the baking pan, creating a cake that’s both easy to prepare and delightfully quirky. The addition of vinegar might sound unusual, but it acts as a leavening agent and adds a subtle tang that enhances the cake’s flavor.
Wacky Cake Recipe (Public Domain)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan or round cake pan.
- In the greased pan, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Create three wells (or indentations) in the dry ingredients. Pour the vanilla extract into one well, vinegar into another, and vegetable oil into the third.
- Pour the cold water over all the ingredients in the pan and stir until well combined. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan to incorporate all the dry ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth. It will be quite liquidy, but that’s normal for Wacky Cake!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar, frost with your favorite icing, or simply enjoy it plain.
Why You’ll Love Wacky Cake
Wacky Cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a delicious chapter in the story of resilience and creativity. Like a cherished romance novel, it offers a taste of history and a glimpse into the enduring spirit of home cooks who turned hardship into something sweet. So, next time you’re yearning for a bit of baking magic or want to share a taste of nostalgia with your loved ones, let Wacky Cake whisk you away on a delightful journey. It’s a classic recipe that promises to warm hearts and satisfy cravings, just like the sweetest of love stories. Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with love and laughter as you create your own culinary tale!
Note: This recipe is adapted from public domain sources, reflecting the simplicity and charm of traditional Wacky Cake from the Great Depression era.
Question for readers: My mother made wacky cake when I was a child, and her mother made it before her. Is there a favorite food enjoyed by generations of your own family, and how does eating it remind you of your heritage?
About Janalyn: Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales “written” in her head.
Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Her Montana Gold historical romance series is based on actual historical events. Montana Gold explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.
Tales of Faeraven, Janalyn’s epic fantasy series, takes readers on adventures in a medieval storyworld much like our own.
The same elements–romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy–appear in all Janalyn’s novels, no matter what their genre. Learn more & connect:
Janalyn’s Website Janalyn’s Facebook Janalyn’s Pinterest
About the books – Montana Gold series:
Announcing the Montana Gold Series boxed set! Read the first four books in this western historical romance series for half the price of separately.
Discover Montana Gold!
Hills of Nevermore: A young widow hides her shameful secret from a blue-eyed circuit preacher.
Cheyenne Sunrise: A disillusioned young woman is forced to entrust herself to a half-Cheyenne guide.
Stagecoach to Liberty: To escape captivity, a young woman must trust a mysterious stranger.
The Forever Sky: Can a young widow with no faith in love reconcile with the man who broke her heart?
The Promise Tree: A preacher’s daughter knows she shouldn’t encourage a troublemaker, no matter she promised him.
The Whispering Wind: Phoebe can have her pick of suitors but never the man she wants.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Get your boxed set now!
Montana Gold Boxed Set (books 1-4)
Come back Aug 6th for Laura Thomas!
Thanks for hosting me today, Shannon.
I enjoyed having you. I’d pick The Hills of Nevermore since my husband is a preacher. I don’t think my family has any recipes handed down from generation to generation. But I love my mother’s Chicken and Dumplings. It reminds me of when I was a kid and didn’t have to worry about doing the cooking or bills or anything.
no fav food
I’ve used the wacky cake recipe since my children were little and I was teaching. I could come home from school, bake the cake, organize the three I had at the time, and make it to a potluck before 6 PM.
Our family has a Swedish heritage, so Ost Kaka is a favorite dessert for Thanksgiving and Christmas, or any other time.
As for choosing a favorite title, how do you choose a favorite child? They all sound intriguing. Being from Kansas, however, The Whispering Wind sounds like home.
Thank you for the recipe!
I have a winner! Judith Robl won the drawing. I appreciate Janalyn for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.