Espresso Wacky Cake with Coffee Frosting

Coffee Lovers take note: Espresso Wacky Cake with Coffee Frosting is for YOU! Also called ‘Crazy Cake’ or Depression Cake, this clever cake doesn’t require any eggs, butter or dairy products either. But you’d never guess that from the moist, rich cake!

This coffee frosting is completely delicious! You’ll love Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting on this cake too.

What is Wacky Cake?

Known as Wacky cake, ‘Crazy Cake‘ or Depression Cake, this type of cake was developed after World War II when certain supplies were hard to find. 

The cake does not need eggs, butter or dairy products to make a moist, flavorful cake.

It rises thanks to a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar.

You’ll never taste the vinegar.

It’s a fun cake to make and perfect regular cake ingredients aren’t available. Also great for anyone dairy-free.

Espresso Cake

Wacky cake is usually made as a chocolate cake.

The addition of some hot coffee transforms this recipe to rich, mocha flavored cake.

Complete with an easy frosting hack for Coffee Frosting!

Ingredients

• All purpose flour (regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• ground Cinnamon
• White vinegar
• Vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil
• Hot prepared coffee

Ingredient Notes

Flour

Either regular All Purpose Flour OR gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used for this recipe.

Hot Coffee

Using hot prepared coffee (or room temperature) really brings out a rich cocoa flavor. 

It can be previously made coffee warmed in a microwave.

Coffee Frosting

This frosting hack is fast and easy.

A prepared tub of either vanilla frosting or chocolate frosting with some espresso powder create a delicious coffee frosting!

If espresso powder is unavailable to you, instant coffee also may be used.

The flavor will be slightly different but still good.

Other Frosting Ideas

If you’d rather make homemade frosting here are some ideas:

Prepared Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting

Strawberry Frosting

Cream Cheese Butter Cream Frosting – use the frosting from the recipe in the link.

Whipped Cream

How to Make Espresso Wacky Cake – Step-by-Step

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch pan (square or round) with non-stick spray.

STEP 2: In a mixing bowl combine: flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and salt (photo 1 & 2).

STEP 3: Pour in the vinegar, oil, vanilla extract and hot coffee (photos 3-6). Blend just until combined (photo 7).

STEP 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan (photo 8). Hit the bottom of the pan on the counter top a few times to release any air bubbles. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Preparing the Coffee Frosting

Ingredients (photo 9)

STEP 5: Combine espresso powder with 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Mix to dissolve the espresso. 

STEP 6: Add the espresso liquid to the prepared frosting. Stir to completely combine (photo 10).

Frost the Espresso Wacky Cake when fully cooled.

How to Store

In the Refrigerator

Store tightly sealed for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

More Cake Recipes You’ll Love!

• Italian Cream Cake
• The Best Hummingbird Cake
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake
• Strawberry Cake
• Lemon Pound Cake with Blueberry Swirl
• Gingerbread Cake with Butter Rum Toffee Sauce

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Print

Espresso Depression Cake

Mocha flavored Espresso Wacky Cake is easy to make and requires no eggs, butter and is dairy-free! You'll never guess that from the rich flavors. A pre-made frosting hack whips up Coffee Frosting to top it off.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword crazy cake, depression cake, espresso cake, wacky cake recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 29 minutes

Cooling Time (estimate) 20 minutes

Total Time 59 minutes

Servings 16

Calories 255 kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
• 1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
• 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup hot Coffee

Coffee Frosting

• 1 16-ounce container prepared Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting
• 2 teaspoon Instant Espresso Powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch pan (square or round) with non stick cooking spray.

2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and salt.
3. Pour in the vinegar, vanilla, oil and hot coffee and mix until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1. In a small bowl mix together the espresso powder and 2 teaspoons water.

2. Scoop the canned frosting into a mixing bowl, pour the espresso mixture into the frosting and mix with beaters until the espresso is well combined.

   Frost the cooled cake, cut and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Espresso Depression Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 255 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Sodium 194mg8%

Potassium 61mg2%

Carbohydrates 42g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 30g33%

Protein 2g4%

Calcium 5mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.