Whacky Vegan Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe has been around for decades. It’s also called the Whacky cake or the Depression cake. But let me tell you, the taste and texture of the cake is definitely not whacky or depressing. It’s unbelievably moist and tastes like any regular chocolate cake especially with the frosting. At first I didn’t tell my husband that the cake has vinegar in it, so he was not able to tell any difference. He liked the cake very much even after I told about the secret ingredient. But since I knew about the vinegar I was able to feel a very very very mild smell/taste. I guess it’s psychological. I have to stress here again that when eaten with the frosting this chocolate cake is so delicious. This vegan chocolate cake recipe is definitely a keeper. I’m already thinking of the variations I can make each time.
I was wondering what to do for the frosting without the sugar because all the recipes I had called for confectioner’s sugar. I had a few packs of instant pudding mixes and thought how it would be for a frosting. I googled and found that pudding mix frosting is very common. Luckily I had the Cool Whip topping which is required for the frosting. Even though I was skeptical, I had to proceed with it anyway because I had no other go. Surprisingly it did turn out good. So the frosting is not vegan.
Yield: One 8 or 9 inch cake or 8 cupcakes.
2 Stir together all the dry ingredients (flour to cocoa powder) and create a well in the center.
3 To the well add all the wet ingredients one by one. Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix. It’s ok to have some lumps.
4 Pour the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Mine was done by 24 minutes. If baking cupcakes, check around 13-15th minute.
5 Cool completely on a wire rack. I left it for an hour.
6 To remove the cake from the pan, run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan to loosen the cake.
7 Cool completely before frosting. Actually frosting is not even necessary for this moist cake. You may simply dust with confectioner’s sugar and top with fresh raspberries.
Procedure:
1 Pour milk into a large bowl. Add the pudding mix. Beat until fluffy for 2 minutes.
2 Blend in the thawed Cool Whip thoroughly.
3 Frost the cake/cupcakes and refrigerate it at least for 3-4 hours before serving.
My Notes:
1 This frosting is not very sweet, but it was perfect with the cake and for us. We don’t like overly sweet cakes and frosting.
2 This measurement will be right for a 13×9 inch cake or a layer cake. I had at least a cup of frosting left over, which I intend to serve in ice cream cones for my son.
1. Egg Replacement Event – Vinegar hosted by me.
2. Just for You hosted by Alka. I made this cake for Valentine’s day for my husband.
3. My Favorite Things – Heart Shaped Food hosted by Bindiya.
4. Cook and Create with Luv for Luv hosted by Priyanka.

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November 9th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Hi Madhuram,
I tried this one last weekend and it came out excellent. I have only APple Cidar Vinegar so i used that. also I made chocolate frosting for this which u used for chocolate and bottleguard cake. My cakes and cookies are coming well than bread….. And i am eagerly waiting to read ur next post on Icing Decoration……
Thanks Nandhini. That cake recipe is a no-fail recipe. Will definitely update the cake decorating post very soon.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
hi.Madhu
i will give higher rating to the tofu cake than to this cake. this is nice but the other cake is Rich.
I agree with you Sheetal. When it comes to simplicity this one tops.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am
my mom made the cake! i gave cakes to random ppl and now they wanna come to my house and make it with us!
lol!
thnx for the recipe
You’re welcome CakeLovers.