Vanilla Crazy Cake

This one-pan, super easy, and delicious Vanilla Crazy Cake needs no eggs or milk. You don’t even need a bowl, simply mix everything right in the baking dish!

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Vanilla Crazy Cake is the answer if you ever just need a quick and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Have you ever felt like baking something for dessert only to realize you are out of eggs? Don’t run to the store. What’s so crazy about crazy cake is that no milk or eggs are required. This deliciously moist cake is so easy to make and only needs basic pantry items. 

Vanilla Crazy Cake Ingredients

You’ll need:

For The Cake:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup water cold

For The Frosting:

• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (clear vanilla if you have it)
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk or more if needed for desired consistency

Substitutions and Additions 

FROSTING: Instead of frosting you can simply add sprinkles or dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar. 

VANILLA: Change up the flavor by adding different extracts if you prefer.

COCOA POWDER: Add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to your dry ingredients for a chocolate version of crazy cake.

FOOD COLORING:  For a really crazy cake, or maybe a special celebration add food coloring to the wet part of the steps.

How to Make This Vanilla Crazy Cake Recipe 

To Make The Cake:

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 350°F.

STEP TWO: In an UNGREASED 9×9-inch pan, add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using a whisk, stir the ingredients in the pan to kind of sift it all together.

STEP THREE: Next, using your fingers or a spoon, make a good-sized well in the middle and two smaller wells one on each side of the center well.

STEP FOUR: Place the vegetable oil in the center well.

STEP FIVE: Place the vinegar in a small well and the vanilla in the other small well.

PRO TIP: Don’t leave the vinegar out. It reacts with the baking soda to give the cake the desired texture, the same way eggs would work in your recipe. The cake does not come out tasting like vinegar!

STEP SIX: Pour the cold water over all of the ingredients.

STEP SEVEN: Using the whisk, stir until combined. You can also use a spoon to get into the corners and further mix until smooth. If there are bubbles in your batter, gently tap the pan on the countertop to release the bubbles.

STEP EIGHT: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven to cool completely before serving.

PRO TIP: Since oven temperatures may vary, check the cake for doneness in the last few minutes to avoid over-baking.

STEP NINE: Ice with frosting or powdered sugar or leave it plain.

To Make The Frosting:

STEP ONE: Place the melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk. 

STEP TWO: Using a mixer, mix together until smooth. You may need to add additional milk to reach desired consistency. Beat for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides intermittently.

How To Serve 

Serve Vanilla Crazy Cake with or without frosting. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a favorite syrup like fudge or butterscotch.

Storage 

IN THE FRIDGE: Store unfrosted cake in the fridge, covered in plastic wrap, or in an airtight container. Let frosted cake chill for 15 minutes before you cover it with plastic wrap so it doesn’t stick, or place it in an airtight container. The cake will stay good in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. 

IN THE FREEZER: Unfrosted vanilla crazy cake can be wrapped and stored in an airtight container. Let frosted cake freeze uncovered before wrapping it with plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container. It will keep nicely for 4-6 months.

Your pantry likely has all the ingredients you need to make this budget-friendly family favorite cake. It bakes up quickly using just one pan and needs no eggs or milk to make.

FAQ:

Q? Can I use this same recipe to make cupcakes?

A: Yes, use this same recipe to make cupcakes. Mix the batter in a bowl and then fill your muffin liners ¾ of the way full and bake them at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in a cupcake comes out clean. 

Q? Can I make this recipe vegan?

A: Since no milk or eggs are required, all you need to do is leave off the frosting because it contains butter and you have a vegan Vanilla Crazy Cake.

Q? Can I double this recipe?

A: If you double the recipe, bake in a 9×13 pan.

Vanilla Crazy Cake

This one-pan, super easy, and delicious Vanilla Crazy Cake needs no eggs or milk. You don’t even need a bowl, simply mix everything right in the baking dish!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Ingredients

  

• 1½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup water cold

TO MAKE VANILLA FROSTING:

• ½ cup butter melted
• ½ teaspoon vanilla clear vanilla, if you have it
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk or more if needed for desired consistency

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In an UNGREASED 9×9-inch pan add the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Using a whisk stir together the ingredients right in the pan to kind of sift it all together.
• Next using your fingers or a spoon make a good sized well in the middle and two smaller wells one on each side of the center well.
• Place the vegetable oil in the center well.
• Place the vinegar in a small well and the vanilla in the other small well.
• Pour the cold water over all of the ingredients.
• Using the whisk, stir until combined. You can also use a spoon to get into the corners and further mix until smooth. If there are bubbles in your batter, gently tap the pan on the countertop to release the bubbles.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven to cool completely before serving.
• Ice with frosting or powdered sugar or plain.

Notes

Place the melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk. Using a mixer, mix together until smooth. May need additional milk to reach desired consistency. Beat for 2-3 minutes scraping down the sides intermittently.

Recipe for both cake and frosting can be easily doubled for a 9×13 plan.

TIP: If using an 8×8 pan, increase cooking time by 3-6 minutes as the cake will be thicker.

TIP: The vinegar is a must in this recipe, it reacts with the baking soda to give the cake the desired texture, doing the work eggs would do in other recipes.

The cake does not come out tasting like vinegar!
TIP: If there are bubbles in your wet batter, gently tap your cake pan on the counter to release the bubbles.
TIP:Keep a close eye on the cake at the 30-minute mark as you don’t want to overbake it.

Keyword Vanilla Crazy Cake Recipe