Banana Crazy Cake (No Butter, Eggs, Milk or Mess) ~ Inspired by the Depression Era Recipe (aka Wacky Cake) w/ GF Option

"We make our own cakes, in a great measure, therefore let us look to it, my brethren, that they are mixed according to the best receipt, baked in a well regulated oven, and gratefully eaten with a temperate appetite.”

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl

I am still on my mission and am here to share the second recipe developed for my personal "pantry cookbook" which I am including in my Proverbs 31 Preparedness Binder! No butter, eggs or milk is required in this easiest ever recipe. We also share the gluten-free alternative so you can have your cake and eat it too! It is inspired by the famous Great Depression "wacky" cake recipe. This cake is so moist and best of all, it is very frugal and a great way to use up aged bananas!

Ingredients:

• 3 c. flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
• 1 1/2 c. sugar (you may be able to get away with 1 1/4 c. if you want to reduce your sugar intake)
• 2 tsp. baking soda (3 tsp. if using gluten-free flour blend)
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• Approx. 3 - 4 over-ripe bananas
• 1/2 c. + 1 tbsp. oil (we use sunflower)
• 1/2 c. cold water
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar (use apple cider vinegar for gluten-free cake)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in an "un-greased" 9 by 13 inch pan.

Gently stir the dry ingredients inside the pan until they are somewhat blended.

Puree or finely mash together (in a separate bowl) the bananas and water (I used our Nutribullet for quick work).

Add the banana and water mixture, the oil and the vinegar to the pan. Stir the batter directly in the pan until combined. 

Make sure the batter is even and smooth across the top when you are finished mixing it.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 - 35 minutes (it is finished when a toothpick inserted inside the center comes out clean). 

The banana cake will be quite golden brown when finished but nice and moist on the inside!

Cool on a wire rack before serving and/or frosting. 

Now is the hard part! I immediately felt that banana cake required a cream cheese frosting (yes, I know, this no longer makes it dairy-free or frugal) while the frosting connoisseur (my daughter) was adamant that it required chocolate. Such tumult in the home! :) Because she offered to prepare the frosting, she won. And I must say she may be on to something... What do you think? If I had a choice, I would probably have a piece of each!

You will find our printable recipe HERE . 

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