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Flash Back Friday / Crazy Cake


Recently I was asked to bring a dessert that was gluten free, dairy free and egg free to a bridal shower. I have made this cake for years even before there were allergies in the family and knew it would be a hit. I used Namaste Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Mix.
Even though this chocolate cake is free of dairy, eggs, and I substituted gluten free flour it still resulted in a very moist and tasty cake.
Frost with your favorite frosting. My favorite frostings are just below the cake recipe, or just sprinkle with icing sugar and berries for a simple yet beautiful result.


Crazy Cake:

  • 1 1/2 c. regular flour (or gluten free all purpose mix)
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 3 tbsp. heaping cocoa powder
  • 1/2 c. oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. vinegar
  • 1 c. cold water
  1. Sift all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix all the dry ingredients.
  2. Add the oil, vinegar and water. 
  3. Pour into a 8x8 well greased cake pan.
  4. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
  5. Or make 12 cup cakes and bake for 20 minutes. 



Pudding Frosting:
  • 1 package dream whip
  • 1 1/2 c. cold milk
  • 1 small package instant chocolate pudding mix

Beat together well until thick and creamy.



Burnt Coconut Frosting: 
(my personal favorite and it tastes even better the next day)
  • 1/3 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 Tbsp. milk
  • 3 tbsp. corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan. 
  2. On medium heat, bring to boil. 
  3. Boil for 3 minutes. 
  4. Pour over the cake and brown under the broiler until golden brown, watching closely as not to burn the topping. 

19 comments:

  1. Looks yummy Char..I know this one as Wacky Cake. I would choose the coconut topping.

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  2. Oh my! How luscious! I raised a house full of boys and cooked a lot more when they were all at home! Now I try to make small desserts so I don't eat so much! heehee!

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  3. This is a great cake when your kids have milk and egg allergies!

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  4. Every time I see a recipe on here, I think it is the best recipe you've ever posted, then you go and post another one and I think, this is the best recipe you've ever posted. Please keep up the posting and the cooking! You sure can cook!

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  5. Thanks Betty, I thought too this sounded like our Wacky Cake.
    Whether you have teenagers or just hungry adults, it looks like it will melt in anyone's mouth.

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  6. My mother's recipe, same one, was called Happy Valley Chocolate Cake and she always served it with Mint flavored whipped cream. I'll have to try the coconut topping.

    I make it as cupcakes because they freeze so well. Otherwise the 2 of us would eat them all in a couple of days! Bellen

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  7. I love anything with coconut. I've had something similar, but will try this one out. Kathy

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  8. My mom always made this, but she mixed it all in the pan. Once she left the fork in the pan!!

    Now, you've got me thinking, I've got to make one of these !!

    Thanks.

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  9. If you don't have milk or eggs this cake will work, but my kids and husband didn't want seconds on this cake :(

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  10. I love coming to your website. This is the first place I always go to when I am in need of a recipe. I made this cake for dessert last night thinking to myself 'how can this be good'? But since you say it is, then I had to give it a try. It did not disappoint us. It was moist, sweet chocolatey and I LOVED the crunchy coconut topping. I am most definitely going to be making this cake again and again. Next time even for company. (PS I added a handful or 2 of chocolate chips to the batter.) Thanks ever so much for all your effort on this blog. Claire from Portage La Prairie Manitoba

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  11. so how do you get them shaped like they look in the picture. i will definitely make this for a "church gathering" again for those that are gluten free ...

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    Replies
    1. I used mini cake pans that are about the same size as muffin pans. I found them at the thrift shop for a $1 and couldn't resist.

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    2. thanks- maybe i will try in my taller muffin pans-would like nice i think.
      i do remember this too from church outings i am sure...love the story bout the "earthworms".
      and i will keep my eye out for a pan like that at winners and homesense-sometimes they have
      something similar.

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  12. I like this cake and the burnt Coconut Icing. When I was a little girl, the neighbour lady often made it using long coconut, we visited back and forth often. I was the youngest kid, the older ones told me that to save money she used earthworms. Gullible me believed that. I would not eat this there. As usually happens the moms found out and it took them a while to convince me otherwise.
    All the parents are gone now and just recently the first of us kids. Think I will make this cake with this icing for the weekend just because it is time to eat "earthworms" again.

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    Replies
    1. What a great story, thanks for sharing it with us. Yes, as kids we believe almost anything. I couldn't eat french fries once because my aunt told me she made frogs legs. lol I hope you enjoy the cake especially with earthworms. :)

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  13. Could you develope a fool proof vanilla version please please please? :)

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    1. I could suggest omitting the coco powder and adding a teaspoon vanilla. That should work. If you try it, let me know how it turns out for you.

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    2. Its me again. I tried it and it was not good. It was gummy as we chewed. If someone else has success please tell me what to do. :)

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    3. You didn't have success with the chocolate of vanilla version? Either way, I am sorry this recipe is not for you. We have lots of other chocolate cake recipes to try on our blog. I hope you find success with one of those.

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