Recipes From Childhood #1--WaCkY cAkE

Wacky Cake

I have fond memories of making this cake with my mom. Remember Wacky Cake? Sometimes its called Nothing Cake because it has no eggs. Anyway, the wacky part is the way you have to make it. There can be no deviation from the three-wells-in-the-dry-ingredients format or it will not turn out. Period. And if you're one of those people who has to try it yourself to believe it, just remember, I warned you. And here's another warning: This is yummy, so don't be surprised if you find yourself cutting little pieces off all day long until--OOPS--you can't believe you ate the whole wacky pan.

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

3-4 Tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Tablespoon cider vinegar

6 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup cold water

Sift together all dry ingredients right into your ungreased eight by eight (or nine by nine or what have you) pan. Then make three wells in the mixture. put the vanilla in one, the vinegar in another and the oil in the last one (make it big enough). Then pour your water over the whole business and stir it with a fork until it's well mixed. Then wipe the batter off the sides of the pan because you get it everywhere (because this is wacky cake--not neat and tidy cake). Spread it even and put it in the oven at 350 degrees (preheated). My daughter does not recommend eating the batter. "It tastes vinegary."

Bake it thirty or forty minutes until the toothpick comes out clean. Let cool as long as you can stand not scooping off a little corner and sampling your work. It tastes great warm and, in my opinion, doesn't even need frosting. If you have to have some, I've heard that an almond spread is delicious. I like to sift a little powdered sugar on mine, maybe a dollop of whipped cream if I'm feeling really wacky. :o) Enjoy making this one with your kids.