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
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, salt and cinnamon (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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Espresso Depression Cake
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
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch pan (square or round) with non stick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- Pour in the vinegar, vanilla, oil and hot coffee and mix until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- In a small bowl mix together the espresso powder and 2 teaspoons water.
- 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!
Sara Welch says
This was such an awesome dessert! Perfectly light and fluffy and the frosting was easy to make too!
Suzy says
Such an easy cake to make and taste SO GOOD!
wilhelmina says
This frosting! OMG delicious!!! This cake turned out really moist and delicious but I am totally obsessed with the frosting!
Lindsay Cotter says
For a coffee lover like me, this dessert was a huge success! I will be making this often!
Allyson Zea says
Wow this cake is so delicious and easy to make!
Catalina says
I am drooling over this cake! The addition of Espresso makes it irresistible!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
e I know for sure this Espresso Wacky Cake would be a huge hit in my house!
Celebrate Woman Today says
Beautiful and easy. Love the coffee flavor!
Heather says
We just stocked up on espresso so I know for sure what we are making this week! Can’t wait to try it!
Kathy says
This sounds like it would be an amazing recipe. It looks so yummy too. I can’t wait to try it out. I’ve been wanting to make some cake soon too.
Dorothy Reinhold says
I want an entire cake for myself! I may have to make a double batch of icing. One for the cake, and one for me!
Colleen says
I’ve never heard of whacky cake but I love the name. And it looks amazing considering there’s no butter or eggs. And, as a hardcore coffee fan, I know I must try this.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I could use this (the chocolate and the caffeine) right about now!
Beth Pierce says
I’m such a coffee lover and this cake is my favorite!! Thank you!
Tara Pittman says
I have all the ingredients. I need to make this cake as it sounds so good
Eden says
This was SO incredibly tasty!! That espresso frosting was heavenly!! Can’t wait to make these again!
Alisha says
Oh man, that frosting…so incredible
Matt Taylor says
Yummy this cake looks amazing and easy to make! 🙂
Jen says
I am that person who is always out of eggs. I love this recipe!
Toni Dash says
Especially now. It took me 6 grocery orders before I could get eggs. Seems a good time for an egg-less recipe lol.
Lauren k says
All I can say is thank you so much!! I’m SO excited to make this!
Tammy says
Ooh my goodness I’ve never heard of this before but what a fabulous recipe to try during these times when ingredient availability is limited. This cakes looks so moist and the frosting is so dreamy! I wish I had a slice right now.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I’m obsessed with anything that has chocolate and coffee in, so this is pure perfection! It looks so tasty, I want to reach right through the screen and grab a slice!
Erika says
I NEED this cake ASAP! Definitely going to make this, it looks incredible.
thisiswholesome says
I wonder if I can swap the flour with gluten free flour and have the same amazing result?
Toni Dash says
Yes Melissa as noted in the blog post and recipe card either regular All Purpose Flour OR gluten-free measure-for-measure flour may be used successfully. The recipe has been tested with both.
Robin rue says
Oh man – This sounds so good. What a perfect quarantine snack for me to make.