Crazy Fudge Cake

Your grandma probably made this cake, and her grandma before her.

This is the legendary “wacky cake” that came out of the Depression era, when eggs, milk, and butter were luxuries most families couldn’t spare.

You mix the dry ingredients right in the baking pan, poke three wells, and pour vinegar, vanilla water, and melted shortening into each one.

Stir it all together and slide the pan into the oven. No bowls to wash. No mixer to drag out. No eggs to crack.

The vinegar and baking soda react to give the cake its lift, and the result is a moist, fudgy crumb that punches well above its humble ingredient list.

Kitchen Tips

• Don’t skip the vinegar. It reacts with the baking soda to create rise. Without it, the cake falls flat.
• Frost while slightly warm for a glossy, fudgy finish that melts right into the top of the cake.
• This recipe is naturally dairy-free and egg-free, making it a solid option for anyone with allergies. Use dairy-free frosting to keep it that way.