Wacky cake facts for kids
Dry ingredients for a wacky cake
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| Type | Cake |
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| Main ingredients | Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, vanilla extract |
Wacky cake, also known as crazy cake or Joe cake, is a special kind of chocolate cake. What makes it unique is that it's made without common ingredients like eggs, butter, or milk. This makes it a great choice for people with certain allergies or when these ingredients are hard to find.
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What Makes Wacky Cake Special?
Wacky cake is a soft, chocolatey treat. It's famous because its recipe doesn't use any eggs, butter, or milk. Instead, it uses simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. This cake is often called "crazy cake" or "Joe cake" too.
A Cake from History: World War II
Many people believe wacky cake was first made during World War II. During the war, certain foods like milk, eggs, and butter were hard to get because of something called rationing. Rationing meant that people could only buy a small amount of these items. So, clever bakers came up with recipes like wacky cake that didn't need these scarce ingredients. It's sometimes even called "WW II cake" because of this history!
Simple Ingredients, Amazing Results
The main ingredients in wacky cake are flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, salt, and vanilla extract. You might wonder how a cake can be fluffy without eggs! The secret is in the baking soda and vinegar. When these two mix, they create bubbles that help the cake rise and become light. The structure of the cake is also supported by something called gluten from the flour, which gets stronger with the vinegar and salt.
How to Enjoy Wacky Cake
Sometimes, people add brewed coffee to their wacky cake for an extra rich flavor. Once baked, you can top your wacky cake with icing, a dusting of confectioner's sugar, or simply enjoy it plain.
This cake is very popular at bake sales, especially in many small towns across the United States. It's a simple, tasty treat that's easy to make and enjoy!
