I had fun playing in my kitchen today and made a Chocolate Crazy Cake in a Mug! Not familiar with Crazy cake? The recipe is also known as Wacky Cake and Depression Cake – No Eggs, Milk, Butter, Bowls or Mixers! It’s an awesome go-to recipe for egg/dairy allergies and fun to make with kids. The recipe dates back to the Great Depression. It’s darn good cake that’s inexpensive to make, super moist and delicious.
Learn more about the Depression era cake recipe below.
Crazy Cake – No Eggs, Milk, Butter or Bowls
I have never made a cake in a mug in the microwave before and wasn’t sure if it could be done with the Crazy Cake recipe. I have seen tons of recipes for single serving microwave mug cakes and wanted to give it a try. I did a quick Google search for mug cakes and actually came across a Microwave Vegan Wacky Cake, you can go here for the recipe. After a few adjustments and a few attempts, I have an awesome go-to recipe for a single serving Crazy Cake that takes just a few minutes to make. It’s super moist….real yummy cake in minutes! The best part, everyone in my family can enjoy it because it’s egg-free.
This cake took just a few minutes to throw together and 2 minutes in the microwave. It’s super moist and delicious!
I made the mug cake the same way I make the regular crazy cake, following the same rules. Yes…I made those silly depressions…they work and the cake ALWAYS rises.
Crazy Cake in a Mug
(adapted from Wish I could Cook, food.com)
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
- 4 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons cocoa (unsweetened)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- Dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (or canola)
- 4 1/2 Tablespoons water
Directions
(step by step photos below)
Using a large microwave safe mug, spray the inside with non-stick cooking spray. Next, mix the first 5 dry ingredients in the mug. After mixing well, make 3 depressions in dry ingredients. Pour vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the other and the vegetable oil in third depression. Pour water over top. Mix well until smooth using a fork. Place in microwave and cook on high for *2 minutes, uncovered. Check with toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. Be sure not to over cook! Top with whatever you like – powdered sugar, frosting, chocolate chips, caramel or whipped cream! Enjoy hot or cold!
TIPS
- Each microwave cooks differently, adjust time accordingly! One person made the cake in 1 minute 40 seconds, and another in 1 minute 20 seconds. If you overcook the cake, it may ruin it. Be sure to watch as it bakes.
- If you want a neater mug cake, mix the cake batter in a small bowl, then pour the batter in the mug.
- You can add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a super rich chocolate cake…or do what I did, throw some on top after you make it, while it’s still warm! Mmm, mmm good!
I can’t wait to try more flavors…stay tuned.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheers!
Hi! Can't wait to try this…my only problem is no one drinks coffee (we're tea drinkers)…can I substitute something for the coffee?
I have to say it is a great recipe bit I do make some adjustments. I find half the sugar is enough because it becomes too sweet otherwise. I use olive oil and it turns out fine. Also I use at least 5 table spoons of water (I use 4 tbls for half the recipe) makeshow it nice and moist. It takes about 50 seconds in my microwave but mine is very strong I guess. Also I usually make half the recipe because it is a bit much. It's also nice to put it in a little shorter so you get a molten chocolate cake very delicious. Oh also I use self raising flour and that works fine you juse leave out the vinegar and backing soda.
As the recipe is written, this turns out ok. I was impressed by the moistness of the cake, but it's definitely lacking in flavor. Good base recipe for those with dairy and eggs allergies, but I'm definitely going to try coconut oil, extra cocoa, cinnamon and brown sugar next time.
WOW!
This is great. It is easy to make, few ingredients and less than 2min in the microwave! Add a little nuts for something crunchy
It is so delicious
My new favorite recipe
Just made this but subbed 1TB PB2 for the cocoa and used brown sugar instead of white. Added cinnamon and carob chips on top. Yummy option for those who can't have dairy or chocolate
Would it work with normal cocoa powder instead of unsweetened?
I used Apple cider vinegar and it was fine. My cup was too small I think because it overflowed, so dumped the half cooked batter into a bowl and microwaved another couple of mins and it came out great-bowl shaped!
so good
Made this cake but instead of using cocoa I used a teaspoon each of cinnamon and ground ginger. Tastes amazing.
Hello bakers,
I have 6 ripe bananas & nuts waiting to be put in a crazy cake. My grandson, VINCENT cannot eat (eggs, milk and butter)
Has anyone experimented with the bananas & nuts?
Thank you very much for the recipe, I had never heard of this cake, but it's quite useful since my mom can't eat dairy.
Someone asked about the calories, it's 433.
this sounds fabulous. I am looking for a recipe to send in care packages to college students that don't have refrigerators but have microwaves.. I want to send the dry ingredients already mixed, along with a mug. can you provide a recipe that doesn't include any oil or vinegar. Do you think they can use apple sauce instead of oil? what other than vinegar that I can send in the package?
you can use butter
To anyone reading this and knows caniI make this without any oil? I can't really intake any oil so that's why I'm asking.
s better alternative to white vinegar is balsamic vinegar. It brings out the chocolate flavor and can help mask a poorer quality cocoa powder.
Give it a shot! I used a bit more than was indicated, still worked like a charm.
It's super easy! Thanks for the recipe. I think my baking soda expired, so the taste is a little funny. Do you think I can use baking powder instead?
I used baking powder instead of soda since I didn't read the recipe carefully and it came out perfect
I just tried this recipe, it turned out great! I really loved it, I'm so satisfied. Thank you soo much.
I just made this with Gluten Free SR Flour and lemon juice instead of the vinegar. I also used a steviol based sweetener. I has turned out perfectly. I baked mine in an extra large hug mug, and filled the rest of the mug with my own custard style recipe. Perfect.
Anonymous – look at the square photo with all the steps – that will help. Don't worry, I know it will turn out great! Best of luck!
Hi Anonymous – Depression simply means make little holes like you would if you were digging in sand – then pour the wet ingredients in each hole/depression and the pour water on top of all and mix. Good luck on your assignment!!
Hey, sorry about this so in the directions what does it mean by make 3 depressions? Sorry, I'm only 13 and I don't really understand what it meant by that. Can you please answer quickly, I have to do this for a blog on edublogs.org for my 5th class and this assignment is due tomorrow 🙁
I just made this for my husband. He really loved it and said I will be making it ALL WEEKEND lol. Thanks!
Did you know that some vinegar is made from wheat?? It is not gluten free for celiacs. I always use apple cider vinegar.
I just made this with chocolate melts instead of cocoa and melted them in a microwave safe bowl first, then added all ingredients in order and mixed together. I did 3 tbsp of sugar as melts have sugar. It turned out great!
This would be a great gift for Christmas, or to send with your children to sleepovers. Then they could all have their own, and individualize their toppings. So good, and so much fun!!!!!!