Vanilla Wacky Cake

close up of vanilla cake on a small dessert plate with a red linen underneath

4.68 from 84 votes

Vanilla Wacky Cake or you may know it as vanilla depression cake is a super simple yellow cake recipe that does not use dairy or eggs. It’s topped with a simple cream cheese frosting without the butter!

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Servings: slices

Author: Miranda Couse

Ingredients

Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon vinegar
5 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup water

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
In a large bowl, add in the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk until combined.
Make 3 wells in the dry ingredients.
Pour the 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in one of the wells, 5 tablespoons canola oil in another, and 1 teaspoon vinegar in the remaining well.
Pour the 1 cup water over all ingredients and whisk until combined
Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until done. Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake and if it comes out clean or with moist crumbs, it's done. Bake longer if it still has batter on it.
Once done, allow to cool completely

Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, add in the 8 ounces cream cheese. Beat with a hand mixer on medium until smooth.
Add in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3 cups powdered sugar. Continue to beat until the powdered sugar is worked into the frosting and the frosting is creamy.
Spread with an offset spatula onto the cooled cake.

Notes

Storage: If frosting with the cream cheese frosting, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you're frosting with something like a chocolate frosting, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.

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