Christine Flynn’s Wacky Cake
16
- Prep Time10 min
- Total Time40 min
- Makes1 8-inch square cake
Excerpted from Easy Does It by Christine Flynn. Copyright © 2026 Christine Flynn. Photography by Suech and Beck. Published by Penguin Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
Most people agree that Wacky Cake was created during the Great Depression or the Second World War, when eggs were hard to come by and butter was expensive. It became popular again in the 1980s and '90s. Economy and efficiency are two things I love in a homemade dessert, so I'm bringing Wacky Cake back into the spotlight where it belongs.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (198 g) sugar
3 tbsp (16 g) cocoa powder
1 tbsp (5 g) black cocoa powder (see tip)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
5 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup cold coffee or water
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve
Icing sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-in. square baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, black cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, white vinegar, vanilla and coffee. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to mix until they are just combined.
Use the same spatula to transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 min or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and a dusting of icing sugar. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Kitchen tip
Black cocoa powder results in a really rich, dark cake and can be found in bulk food stores. If you don't have it, simply use an additional 1 tbsp (5 g) of regular cocoa powder. The cake will taste just as good.
Get more easy spring recipes from Christine Flynn.
Excerpted from Easy Does It by Christine Flynn. Copyright © 2026 Christine Flynn. Photography by Suech and Beck. Published by Penguin Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
