Lemon Crazy Cake is a cake made without milk, eggs, or butter, but full of lemon flavor with a light and fluffy lemon buttercream on top. I also have a Chocolate Depression Cake you may want to try!
Lemon Crazy Cake
The only crazy thing about this super moist, lemon-flavored cake is that you can make it without milk, eggs, or butter. Well, it also may be crazy how great it tastes even without those ingredients! One taste-tester said it tasted like frozen lemonade in cake form.
Although the cake is made without eggs, milk, or butter, I did add a lemon buttercream frosting on top which does have butter in it.
Cake Ingredients
Lemons: Make sure you have a few lemons on hand. You will need lemon zest and lemon juice for both the cake and the buttercream (if added). I used three lemons in this recipe.
Buttercream: As I stated above, the lemon buttercream does contain butter; but it adds even more lemon flavor to every bite.
What is a Crazy Cake?
Crazy Cakes, also known as Depression cakes or wacky cakes, among other names, became popular during the Depression-era. During this time, it was hard to get ingredients like milk, eggs, and butter. However, that didn’t mean that they should not be able to enjoy desserts! So, the crazy cakes were made.
Can I Zest and Juice the Same Lemons?
Yes, you can use the same lemons for both zest and juice. Be sure to zest the lemons first; then, you can juice them. When zesting the lemons, be sure to only use the yellow part. The white part of the peel is bitter.
Can I Add Food Coloring to the Cake?
Sure! If you want a bright yellow cake to match the lemon cake title, add 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring to the cake batter.
Can I Make This Cake Without the Buttercream?
Definitely! If you just want a refreshing lemon cake, it’s delicious on its own!
How to Store Lemon Crazy Cake
This cake can be left out at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. You could also store it in the refrigerator if preferred.
Can I Freeze Lemon Crazy Cake?
Yes! It is best to freeze the cake before adding the buttercream and the same day you make it. First, let the cake cool completely. Next, remove the cake from the pan and tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. Make sure none of the cake is left exposed to avoid freezer burn. Finally, wrap the cake in a layer of aluminum foil.
Label and date the packaging and freeze the cake for up to a month for best results. To thaw the cake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before removing the aluminum foil. It will take 2-3 hours before it completely thaws. Once thawed, you can add the frosting.
Can I Make Lemon Crazy Cake as Cupcakes?
Yes! To make this cake as cupcakes, line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Pour the batter about 3/4 of the way full into each liner. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, checking for doneness at about 15 minutes. The cupcakes are done when an inserted toothpick comes out with a few crumbs but no wet batter.
More Lemon Cake Recipes
Lemon Crazy Cake
Ingredients
Lemon Cake
- 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- ⅓ cup (73 g) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (250 g) water
Lemon Buttercream
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3½ cups (437.5 g) confectioners' sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium lemon, juiced (about ¼ cup lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons lemon zest, about one lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Lemon Cake
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and lemon zest. Whisk to combine.
- To the flour mixture, add lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and water. Stir using a spatula or whisk until ingredients are fully combined.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is done when an inserted toothpick is inserted and comes out clean with a few crumbs, but no wet batter. Let the cake cool while you prepare the frosting.
Lemon Buttercream
- Using a handheld mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and salt on medium speed until well combined.
- Add lemon juice and vanilla. Continue to beat for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until creamy.
- Fold in the lemon zest.
- Spread the buttercream over the cooled cake.
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.
This recipe was adapted from Sweet Little Bluebird’s Lemon Crazy Cake recipe.
So simple and mouth watering!!🤤… Thank you for sharing ❣️
I love anything lemon! Can more lemon juice be substituted for some of the water? I can’t wait to try it!!
I grew up making Depression Cake. Can’t wait to try this and have already shared with my sister.
Have made many ‘o’ crazy cakes. Lemon will be a nice addition. From the chocolate crazy cakes I remove the cocoa and replace with the same amount of flour. From there I can add cinnamon, nutmeg for a spice cake or, replace water with pear juice and put pear halves in bottom of pan. The sky’s the limit.
Looks really good, but could I make it gluten free with 1 to 1 version gf flour ?
I never put milk in a cake anyway I don’t know anyone who does
Can I double this recipe and make it a 13×9-in pan❓ anybody seems too small what about a 9×9 size pan ❓
I love anything Lemon or orange
Just wondering if the vegetable oil portion of the recipe can be replaced with apple sauce.
Any time a recipe calls for lemon zest and lemon juice i cut the lemon in half…remove the seeds and blend the whole.lemon in the blender. Wonderful lemon flavor. Does not work with limes!
Great info, thank you!