[2][3][4][5][6] Active ingredients in wacky cake include flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, white vinegar, salt and vanilla extract.

[2] The eggless batter means that the structure of the cake is entirely supported by gluten, which is strengthened by the acidic vinegar and salt.

[7] Wacky cake is typically prepared by mixing dry ingredients in a baking pan and forming three hollows in the mixture, into which oil, vinegar, and vanilla are poured.

The dessert has also been included in 4-H competitions[further explanation needed] as well as home economics textbooks after World War II.

[10] Wacky cake first gained prominence during the Great Depression, when ingredients such as dairy and eggs were harder to obtain.