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The Best Vanilla Crazy Cake

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If you are like me, your sweet tooth speaks to you a lot. Sometimes you might want just a simple cake, sometimes more. This Best Vanilla Cake is one that has a wonderful Vanilla flavor and is quite simple to make. This cake is considered to be the best Vanilla cake that was made during the Depression.

The cake is made with no eggs, butter, or milk, and it tastes PHENOMENAL!

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You are likely wondering how a cake can be made without eggs, milk or butter. Considering that this was a perfect cake during the depression, the housewives used what they had. During those times many ingredients cost too much money and they did not have a lot. Today, most of use would not consider making a cake if we did not have eggs in the refrigerator.

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The Best Vanilla Crazy Cake

Odds are,  your grandparents made and ate some pretty incredible desserts during the depression era. During that time, there wasn’t much money, and people had to do some major improvising when it comes to desserts.

People of those days were downright brilliant in the kitchen, and they were so inspirational. I am thrilled that I was able to create and bake a top-notch cake without eggs without any issues! This vanilla-crazy cake is a breeze to make, and you barely need any ingredients.

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You don’t have to make a cake with TONS of ingredients and fancy frostings to be impressive. This vanilla-crazy cake proves that. It’s truly crazy how you can make such an awesome cake without the typical ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter. 

Whip up a vanilla depression cake for potlucks, or take it to a new neighbor to welcome them to your neighborhood. You can also serve it for a fancy dinner party, and no one is going to realize how simple and cheap this cake was to make. But you will save a lot of energy and time too. 

Next time, you are in the mood for something “extra” special, you should, for sure, make one of these depression cakes. I am confident you will enjoy every last bite of it. 

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How is the cake going to turn out if there are no eggs, butter or milk?

Believe it or not, this cake is jam packed with vanilla flavor. The cake is still going to turn out as a cake should. Even without eggs, this cake is really amazing! Most desserts made during the depression were wonderfully flavored, this cake is one of them.

Can I make this recipe into a two layer cake?

You sure can! instead of a 9×13 cake pan, divide the batter between two 8 or 9 inch round pans.

Could I add flavoring to this cake?

You could add in Almond flavor, orange flavor, lemon flavor or any other flavor that you have the extract for. Giving it a different flavor means that you could use it for special cakes for people who prefer certain flavors.

Could I add food coloring to make the cake a different color, without affecting the flavor?

Food coloring is a great idea if you are making a dessert for a Holiday or other Special event, such as Gender Reveal parties.

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Ingredients

You just need eight ingredients for the cake and three ingredients for the frosting. I don’t think you can find an easier cake recipe than this vanilla-crazy cake. I will let you be the judge of that, though. Let’s take a look at what you need. 

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Kosher salt
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Canola oil
  • Water
  • Pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Cream cheese
  • Vanilla
  • Powdered sugar

How to Make Crazy Cake 

Okay, time to head into the kitchen and make one of these awesome crazy cakes. I am sure you won’t regret it and will love every bite. What’s not to love? Fluffy cake with amazing homemade frosting. 

First Step: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then add some grease to a 9×9 square glass baking dish and set aside. 

Second Step: Mix until combined the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until combined in a large bowl. 

Third Step: Make three impressions into the dry ingredients. 

Fourth Step: Pour the vanilla, oil, and vinegar into one each of the holes.

Fifth Step: Pour the water over all ingredients and mix until combined.

Sixth Step: Pour batter into the baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

Seventh Step: Once done, allow to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting Directions:

First Step: Using a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mix until smooth.

Second Step: Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and mix until combined.

Third Step: Spread onto the cooled cake.

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Vanilla Crazy Cake

Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Vanilla Crazy Cake is a vanilla depression cake that doesn’t use eggs, milk or butter. Light, fluffy cake that is so simple to make.
4 from 9 votes

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ C Flour
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp white distilled vinegar
  • 5 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 C water
  • 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 – 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 C Powdered sugar

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×9 square glass baking dish
  • Using a large bowl, mix until combined the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt until combined
  • Make 3 impressions into the dry ingredients
  • Pour the vanilla, oil, and vinegar into one each of the holes
  • Pour the water over all ingredients and mix until combined
  • Pour batter into the baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes
  • Once done, allow to cool completely

Cream Cheese Frosting Directions:

  • Using a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mix until smooth
  • Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and mix until combined
  • Spread onto the cooled cake

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 432mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g
Author: Laura

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In the mood for more tasty cake recipes? Well, you are in luck because I have several that I am excited to share with you. Let’s take a look at them so you can decide which one you want to make first. 

Does this cake need to be stored in the refrigerator?

Due to the Cream Cheese frosting, this cake should be kept stored in the refrigerator when you are not serving it. This Vanilla Crazy cake is best when served chilled. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can I store the cake in the freezer?

Yes, you can store this cake in the freezer as long as you wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. You can store the cake in the freezer for up to 2 or 3 months and not have any issues.

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