Crazy Brownies are chewy brownies that are crazy good and just as crazy to make since they are made with NO milk, eggs, or butter! No frosting is needed, but you could sprinkle some confectioners sugar, or walnuts on top for a little bit of sweet crunch in each chocolatey bite. They are based on my Depression Cake, also known as Crazy Cake or Wacky Cake, made with (or should I say without😉) the same ingredients.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: Use all-purpose flour in these brownies. I have not tested the recipe with other kinds of flour, so I cannot speak to their effectiveness.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened regular cocoa powder was used in this recipe. I also mixed a little cocoa powder with confectioners’ sugar to sprinkle over the cooled brownies before serving.
Vinegar: White distilled vinegar is added to the batter to react with the baking soda, causing the brownies to rise. The vinegar also helps activate the cocoa powder for a more chocolatey flavor.
Coffee: I highly recommend adding brewed coffee to these brownies. It will enhance the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee. In a pinch, you could use water instead.
Can I Add Frosting to the Brownies?
Sure! If you do add frosting, just keep in mind that many are not dairy free (if that is a concern). Here are a few of my favorite frosting options:
The brownies don’t need any frosting, but it is fun to try different flavors!
How to Store Crazy Brownies
Once baked and cooled, store the brownies at room temperature in an airtight container. They will last 3-4 days. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, but that could cause the brownies to dry out. For even longer storage, freeze the brownies wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2-3 months.
Crazy Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (187 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (29.5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- ⅓ cup (73 g) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (125 g) brewed coffee (can use water)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, optional
Topping (optional)
- 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to combine.
- To the dry ingredients, add vanilla, vinegar, oil, and coffee. Using a spatula, mix until the ingredients are fully combined. The batter will be thick.
- Use your spatula to spread the batter out to the edges of the prepared baking dish. Top with walnuts, if using.
- Bake for 17-19* minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs, but no wet batter. Let cool.
Topping (optional)
- In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar with cocoa powder. Sift over the cooled brownies. Cut and serve.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What are Crazy Brownies?
Crazy Brownies are based on Depression Cake, also known as Wacky or Crazy Cake. It is a dessert made with ingredients that were hard to come by during the Great Depression and wartime. But, just because times are hard doesn’t mean we don’t deserve a sweet treat or dessert once in a while.
Given the research on unhealthiness, contaminants, GMOs, and toxicities of vegetable and seed oils — especially when exceed their smoke points or when cooked with and particularly when cooked for too long beyond a quick, simple sauté, just wondering if applesauce or avocado puree would work well in this recipe instead. Will have to give it a try and experiment to see.
You’re a trip
Don’t believe all the fearmongering, love. Without GMOs we would starve, toxicity is about dosage (water is toxic if you drink too much), contaminates (?), and everything is unhealthy for some reason or another to one person or another. Life is short, just use oil in the brownies ❤️
Why do you have to be what could be considered rude about it. You could just look elsewhere for an oil free recipe.
Do you eat any vegetables? If you do, you are eating GMOs. There’s not one vegetable that’s not a GMO. Stop believing all the memes and TikTok videos that are out there. You’ll starve to death.
Love your recipes <3
This is absolutely delicious and so easy. Just the right amount 8×8 is perfect for our family too. This is right up there with your blueberry cake recipe.
Oh good!!! I am so glad it worked! We tested it quite a bit and while it doesn’t compare to the denseness of brownies with eggs (just my opinion) it is a really great alternative for folks who don’t want those ingredients! I’m just so happy you like it, Glenna!
What type of flour can be substituted to make it gluten free.
Most gluten free anything is awful tasting. 🙁
You can make ur own gluten free flour. I agree some can be nasty alone. But you can mix almond flour with coconut flour and rice flour and get a whole different flavor.
I would use cup 4 cup flour it is gluten free and is delicious I have never had a recipe go wrong with it.
Has anyone tried baking this with oat flour as a substitute?
I just made this today, i substituted a teaspoon or so of treacle for the coffee in the water but otherwise made as is. a really economical while being easy and absolutely delicious and fudgey. thank you so much.
Do you have to use the vinegar?
Hi Amanda, I make Crazy Cakes often and wondered if there was a brownie version. Sure enough here you are! I have allergies to eggs and diary so brownies are HUGELY hard to adapt for a good texture. Egg replacer just doesnt work right for brownies like it can for cakes. Just got done making this recipe and they are scrumptious. OMG its been years since I have had great brownies lol! Perfect in texture and an easy cook in my toaster oven. THANK YOU!
Can’t wait to try your recipe! Depression/Crazy/Wacky cake is the only cake I can eat without getting acid reflux. Anything with flour can give me acid reflux and I wonder if it is the vinegar and soda that makes this different. Thank you!
No eggs or butter in the house, and a storm outside so no trip to the grocery store. This recipe to the rescue for my husband’s sweet tooth! I had all the ingredients so thought I’d give it a try. It was a total hit, and I’ll definitely make it again.
Not sure what happened but I followed the recipe with grams and it didn’t turn out for me sadly it was more of a cookie dough batter than brownie. I feel like the flour is off and there is no way that it baked a 17mins closer to 20-25 at least. I wouldn’t make this again.