Stir Crazy Cake

Stir Crazy Cake is a favorite dessert in our family now for four generations.

Made with no eggs and no dairy, Stir Crazy Cake is chocolaty goodness made simple. It’s quick and easy, just pour in the ingredients and stir like crazy.

I tried to remember the first time I made Stir Crazy Cake. It was before I was married, and we just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year. Where did I get the recipe? I remember my sister making it. I can remember my mother making it. It was my dad’s favorite cake, and I can even remember my dad making it. It’s that easy.

Chuckwagon Cooking Features Stir Crazy Cake

Then, I called my sister in Idaho. Not only did she remember, she still had the cookbook magazine it originally appeared in. Way back in 1981, my sister worked as a cashier at a local grocery store, and one of the salesmen gave her a copy of “Chuckwagon Cooking from Marlboro Country.” Not only was it filled with stories and the history of chuckwagons, but it was also filled with chuckwagon recipes.

Being my dad’s favorite cookbook, he made most of the chuckwagon recipes. My sister is the first in our family to make the centerfold feature: Stir Crazy Cake. The Stir Crazy Cake is made over and over again now by four generations of our family.

Actually, here are four photos from the pages of the vintage cookbook magazine Chuckwagon Cooking from Marlboro Country. As a matter of fact, my sister has saved the magazine for over 41 years.

Today, my granddaughter is coming to visit. Together, we will make the Stir Crazy Cake and fill the house with the sweet, warm smells of sugar, chocolate, and vanilla. What a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon. Also, what a great way to pass along a family tradition to the next generation.

Recipe: Stir Crazy Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. cocoa
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 c. cooking oil
• 2 Tbsp. vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 2 c. cold coffee
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

First, put flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, cocoa, soda, and salt into an ungreased 13″ x 9″ baking pan. Staying with the vintage chuckwagon theme, I use my well-seasoned 40-plus-year-old baking pan.

Next, stir with a fork or spatula until all dry ingredients are mixed.

Then, form three wells in the flour mixture. Pour the vinegar into the first well. Pour the vanilla into the second well.

Next, pour the oil into the third well.

Finally, pour the cold coffee over all of the ingredients.

Stir with a fork or spatula until well-mixed. This is where the name of the cake comes in, “Stir like Crazy.” DO NOT beat.

Now, combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon in a bowl.

Lastly, sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the batter using a spoon.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. After 35 minutes, I use a toothpick and stick it into the middle of the cake. When it comes out clean, the cake is done.

Now that you have savored this chocolaty goodness, we are sure this recipe will become an instant favorite in your home too! Actually, who knows, it may even become a family tradition for generations to come.

Look for more “Justforthe.fun” family favorite recipes in the “Food” section of our blog. Try our Good Sugar Cookies, Cake Scrap Trifle, Roasted Parmesan Vegetables, or maybe our Chicken Salad Wraps. We know you will like our Chile Verde Quinoa Casserole and our Bacon and Sausage Breakfast Casserole, along with many other easy recipes. Also, try our picnic recipes: Honey Roasted Turkey Pinwheels and Summer Pea Salad.

We would love to hear your comments below, and always remember it’s “Justforthe.fun!”