• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
×
Home » Recipes » Cake

Funfetti Vanilla Wacky Cake

Published: Jun 15, 2023 by Kate Hackworthy · 7 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Slices of cake on plates, with text: Funfetti Wacky Cake - no eggs, milk or butter!
Slice of cake on a plate, with text: Funfetti Vanilla Wacky Cake - no eggs, milk or butter.

The Funfetti Vanilla Wacky Cake is a moist and delightful cake that doesn't require milk, eggs, or butter. It's also known as Crazy Cake, Goofy Cake, or Depression Cake and follows the vinegar cake method. This recipe creates a tender and flavorful cake while being naturally vegan and incredibly easy to make—all in just one bowl!

Table with a piece of wacky cake, plus more cake in the baking pan.
Funfetti Wacky Cake

Looking for a vegan cake recipe? Run out of eggs, milk and butter but still want to bake a cake? Then whip up this magic Wacky Cake!

Wacky cake is a simple and easy-to-make cake that is perfect for busy weeknights or when you don't have a lot of time to bake. It is also a great cake for kids to make, as it is very forgiving and doesn't require any special skills.

This cake uses a reaction of vinegar and baking soda to create a moist, tender, delicious cake in under 30 minutes.

Also called crazy cake or depression cake, this unusual method was created during the economic hardship of The Great Depression when typical cake ingredients were scarce.

But it works so well that this wacky cake recipe has withstood the tests of time and is still popular today!

I've made it a bit more modern by turning it into a Vanilla Funfetti Wacky Cake.

Many wacky cake recipes call for mixing the batter right in the ungreased baking pan, but I've had mixed results and some sticking, so this recipe calls for you to use a mixing bowl.

It's still a super easy, one-bowl, eggless, butter-free and milk-free cake that's naturally vegan.

You can frost your goofy cake with vanilla frosting, or try my zesty Apple Frosting or tangy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting!

Jump to:
  • What is Wacky Cake?
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Can I turn this wacky cake recipe into cupcakes?
  • Can I make this recipe in a larger pan?
  • Can I turn this recipe into a layer cake?
  • Storage
  • Top tips
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is Wacky Cake?

Wacky Cake, also known as crazy cake, goofy cake, or Depression cake, is a simple and unique dessert recipe that gained popularity during the Great Depression.

During the hard economic times, when typical cake ingredients were scarce, innovative bakers came up with this cake recipe that contains no eggs, milk, or butter.

Instead, the reaction of vinegar and baking soda makes the cake moist, light and tender.

The recipe's ingenuity lies in its ability to create a moist and delicious cake using alternative ingredients readily available at the time.

It's a nostalgic and delightful treat that defies convention but most certainly delivers on taste!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This cake recipe requires no eggs, butter or milk.
  • Wacky Cake is incredibly easy to prepare, making it suitable for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
  • The recipe calls for basic pantry staples, so you don't need to make a special trip to the grocery store.
  • With simple mixing and no need for separate bowls, the Wacky Cake comes together in no time.
  • Despite the absence of eggs, milk, and butter, the Wacky Cake is incredibly moist and flavorful.
  • Wacky Cake is naturally vegan, making it a great option for those following a vegan diet or with dietary restrictions.
  • As it is egg-free and dairy-free, the Wacky Cake is a suitable choice for individuals with egg or dairy allergies. Ensure you don't cross-contaminate.
  • Children love the colorful surprise of rainbow sprinkles in the cake, making it a hit for birthday parties and special occasions.
  • Since the ingredients are minimal, Wacky Cake is a budget-friendly dessert option.
  • The Wacky Cake brings back nostalgic memories for many since this recipe has been around for decades!
Ingredients on a table.

Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour: Aka plain flour. This ingredient provides the structure and texture for the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cake's moistness.
  • Baking Soda: Works as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise.
  • Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances the overall taste.
  • Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and richness to the cake. To make the cake lighter, you can replace half of the oil with smooth applesauce.
  • White Vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda to create bubbles, making the cake light and fluffy. Alternatively, use apple cider vinegar.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor and sweetness.
  • Cold Tap Water: Combines with the other ingredients to create the cake batter.
  • Rainbow Sprinkles (Jimmies): Colourful sprinkles turn this into a funfetti cake.
  • Frosting: Add your favourite homemade or store-bought frosting. Try this vanilla frosting or vanilla buttercream.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Mixing the dry ingredients, wells of wet ingredients, mixed cake batter with funfetti added.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20cm square) baking pan with baking parchment paper.

Sift or whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.

Make three wells in the flour mixture: one large and two small. Pour the oil into the large well, vinegar into a small one and vanilla into the third.
Note: it’s important to keep the wet ingredients separate until they’re stirred into the batter at the same time, so the wacky cake works properly.

Pour the water into the mixing bowl and mix it all until blended with no lumps.

Gently fold in the sprinkles, but take care not to overmix or the color of the sprinkles will ‘bleed’ into the batter.

Collage of making the cake: batter in the pan, baked cake, frosted cake.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan, then coat with frosting and additional sprinkles. Cut and serve.

Can I turn this wacky cake recipe into cupcakes?

Absolutely! Make the batter as directed below and then:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Pour the batter into the lined muffin cups, filling each one about ¾ full.
  3. Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Cool, then add frosting and funfetti.

Can I make this recipe in a larger pan?

Double the recipe to make it in a 9x13-inch baking pan, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Can I turn this recipe into a layer cake?

Yes, just double the recipe, then divide the batter between 2x9-inch round cake pans. Check for doneness after 25 minutes.

Storage

If you manage to have any leftovers, storing the Wacky Cake properly will help maintain its freshness. Here are a few storage tips:

  1. Room Temperature: Store the cake, covered, at room temperature for up to three days.
  2. Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to a week. Make sure to cover it tightly to prevent drying out.
  3. Freezing: You can also freeze individual slices of the unfrosted cake for up to three months. Wrap each slice tightly with plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw and then add frosting.
Slice of vanilla wacky cake on a plate, with frosting and funfetti.

Top tips

  1. Sifting dry ingredients: For best results, sift the dry ingredients to ensure they are well combined and free of lumps. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients.
  2. Create wells/depressions in the dry mixture for the wet ingredients. Keeping them separate until mixing helps to ensure the even distribution of ingredients.
  3. Vinegar reacts with the baking soda, helping the cake to rise and creating a lighter texture. Choose a vinegar that isn't too strong tasting, like white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  4. While some "crazy cake" recipes suggest mixing all the ingredients directly in the ungreased baking pan, I've personally had mixed results with this approach. To err on the side of caution, I prefer to combine the ingredients in a bowl before baking them in a greased or lined pan.

FAQ

Can I omit the sprinkles?

Of course! The sprinkles add a fun element, but the cake will still taste delicious without them.

Can I use gluten-free flour for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour in the same quantity without any adjustments to the recipe.

Collage of quick vegan dinner recipes.

Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a recipe!

Plus, you'll get a free eBook: 15 Minute Vegan Dinners!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you love this recipe, please leave a five-star rating and review in the comments below! And if you make any modifications, let us know how it went so that we can all benefit from your experience. Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe

Side view of a square of wacky cake with vanilla frosting and funfetti.

Funfetti Vanilla Wacky Cake

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
Funfetti Vanilla Wacky Cake (aka Crazy Cake or Depression Cake) is moist and tasty, made without milk, eggs, or butter! It's easy and vegan.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
SaveSaved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • 8x8-inch baking pan

Ingredients
 

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 190 grams
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil 100 ml
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cold tap water 240ml
  • 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles jimmies, plus extra for decoration
  • Frosting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20cm square) baking pan with baking parchment paper.
  • Sift or whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Make three wells in the flour mixture: one large and two small. Pour the oil into the large well, vinegar into a small one and vanilla into the third.
  • Note: it’s important to keep the wet ingredients separate until they’re stirred into the batter at the same time, so the wacky cake works properly.
  • Pour the water into the mixing bowl and mix it all until blended with no lumps.
  • Gently fold in the sprinkles, but take care not to overmix or the color of the sprinkles will ‘bleed’ into the batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan, then coat with frosting and additional sprinkles. Cut and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 252mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

More Cake Recipes

  • A cherry marzipan cake on a wooden board, with two slices cut next to it.
    Cherry Marzipan Cake
  • Close up of slices of cottage cheese banana bread on a table.
    Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
  • Side view of the sliced kiwi cake with lime drizzle.
    Kiwi Cake
  • Wooden table with chocolate chip butternut squash cake cut into squares on parchment paper.
    Chocolate Chunk Butternut Squash Cake
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Magda

    June 17, 2024 at 10:31 am

    Hi, can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      June 17, 2024 at 11:05 am

      Yes, that will work just fine.

      Reply
  2. Jules

    November 30, 2023 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    I grew up eating chocolate wacky cake so knew they were delicious. We just loved this cake. It goes a long way and is perfect for celebrating birthdays or summer!

    Reply
  3. Dina and Bruce

    October 15, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    How did you know that I just ran out of milk and eggs? Made this awesome cake for a treat for a friend! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Casey

    June 16, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    5 stars
    My dad was allergic to eggs so I grew up eating crazy cake for every holiday. I remember it being so good and this version was awesome! My mom didn't put funfetti in it though and it made it so much more fun!

    Reply
  5. Holley

    June 15, 2023 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    My kids love making this cake! It's easy and lots of fun!

    Reply
  6. Carrie Robinson

    June 15, 2023 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    Such a fun cake to bake up for a celebration! 🙂 Loving all those rainbow sprinkles.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

Collage of press logos.

Popular recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (15 Min Yeast-Free Flatbread)
  • Plate of lentil dahl and rice.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
  • Soup in a bowl with a spoon.
    Easy Lentil Soup
  • Spoonful of sauce on a jar of it.
    Cane's Sauce Recipe (copycat)

Vegetable Cake Recipes

  • A cake and a piece of cake sitting on top of a table.
    Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing
  • Close up of cut loaf cake.
    Parsnip Loaf Cake
  • Cake on a cake stand with slices missing
    Vanilla Spinach Cake
  • A slice of lemon cucumber cake on a plate.
    Lemon and Cucumber Cake

My cookbook

Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About me
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Press
  • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for newsletter updates

Partner Sites

  • You Say Potatoes

Disclaimers

  • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked out perfectly!
The whole family loved this recipe!
Easy and tasty!
I'm sure we'll be making this recipe again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.