The History of Wacky Cake (Depression Cake)

The exact origin of Wacky Cake, also known as Depression Cake, War Cake, or Crazy Cake, is a little murky. We know that it was created in the United States during the Great Depression or World War II. Notably, both time periods made certain ingredients prohibitively expensive or hard to find due to rationing. That’s precisely why Wacky Cake was developed — the chocolate cake could be made without eggs, butter, or milk. Many recipes even instructed the baker to mix the ingredients in the same pan that the cake would be baked in, making the process even easier for overstressed, busy home cooks trying to make ends meet. These cakes continued to be popular well into the postwar period, but at that time, ingredients were once again widely available and affordable, so cooks often dressed the cakes up with decadent frosting or powdered sugar on top. Wacky Cake has gained popularity again in recent years due to frequent shortages and high grocery prices, as well as an Internet-led renewed interest in vintage baking. Many families also have a long tradition of making these cakes that continues to this day.