This vanilla depression cake recipe is sometimes called Crazy Cake because it is made without eggs, milk, or butter.
This Vanilla Depression Cake is something that many will remember grandma making when they were a kid. This delicious cake is famous for being so easy to make during the Great Depression when things like milk, butter, and eggs were scarce. Since it is still budget-friendly and delicious, it has made an amazing comeback and is back on our radar as a fun and yummy dessert.
Since this cake does not use eggs, milk, or butter, it is naturally egg-free and dairy-free, so you can serve it to friends who have an egg allergy or are lactose intolerant. It is also a delicious cake to serve to your friends who follow a vegan diet.
The below recipe is for a double layer cake. If you are trying to avoid dairy, you can frost it with Crisco Frosting or this Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting Recipe. If you can have dairy, then try this recipe for the Fluffiest Buttercream Frosting Ever!
Vanilla Depression Cake Recipe
This vanilla Depression cake recipe is also called Crazy Cake or Wacky Cake because it is made without eggs, butter, or milk.
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 – 9 inch round cake pans.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl.
- Add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk until well-blended. Do not overbeat. It will still turn out even if there are a few small lumps.
- Divide the batter between the 2 greased cake pans.
- Bake on a middle rack of the oven for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
*You can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-free.
This delicious vanilla depression cake is so simple to make. The best of the best in cakes! You can easily make this a gluten-free recipe by using your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour, or add various flavors of icing to create a great cake that is unique to your preferences.
Looking for more depression era recipes? Try my Chocolate Depression Cake Recipe, this Tomato Soup Cake Recipe, or any of these delicious Crazy Cake Recipes. And here are some Depression Era Tips to help you save money on your food bill.
Printable Recipe Vanilla Depression Cake
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups water
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 - 9 inch round cake pans.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl.
- Add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk until well-blended. Do not overbeat. It will still turn out even if there are a few small lumps.
- Divide the batter between the 2 greased cake pans.
- Bake on a middle rack of oven for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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Megan L says
I love the idea for this cake. If I wanted to make cupcakes with this recipe, how many would this make and how long should I bake them for? Thank you in advance.
Cindy says
I halved the ingredients in this recipe and put it into 6 inch round pans. A regular size cake is to much for my husband and me. Frosted it with a vanilla buttercream and it worked great. Used cooking spray in each pan and put a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of each pan. After I took them out of the oven ran a knife around the outside edge waited five minutes and then took them out of the pans didn’t have a problem with the cake sticking to the pans.
ethelnewberry says
Hello Alea: Maybe I missed the part where you have typed the info about the reason why you have added the asterisk (***) after the word’s, “3 1/2 cups of AP Flour*” for the cake measurement of “3 1/2 cups*” or some other cup measure. The “asterisk” is a character used for to refer a reader to a note or show the omission of letters or words. I don’t want to make the cake unless there is a correct measurement, of “either/or,” of 3 or 3 1/2 cups of flour. If I’m in error, then I deeply apologize. Happy New Year!!! Hope your Christmas was a blessed one. Thank you for your time. Ethel, January 04, 2021.
Alea Milham says
If you read the whole post you will see the following note:
*You can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-free.
SD says
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!
For the cake not to stick, grease the bottom and sides of the cake pan with room temperature butter (or cooking spray, I imagine, though I don’t use it), then add some flour, tap it around until all buttered surfaces are lightly covered, and you can invert the cake after it cools and it will not stick.
THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE!!
10/10 🙂
Marciablaszczyk says
My cake stuck to the pan….badly!!! I used a canola oil spray. Next time should I use Bakers Joy?? The cake was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! I used a brown sugar cream cheese fros6 to ” glue” the layers together!! We kept the cake refrigerated. Best cake ever.
Paulette says
This was my favorite cake when I was a little girl and u am a and I am now 65. I didn’t realize there was ever a white cake recipe as well . I agree that the recipe Should be made exactly as it is posted , To see just how good simple things can be made into delicious and passed on to future generations. Still one of my favorite cakes And has been passed on to my granddaughter and one of her favorites as well. Simplicity is truly some friend you should all learn at an early age and use it for the rest of my life amen