Classic Chocolate Chip Snack Cake is so good and SO EASY. Easy enough for kids to help with and quick enough to make as an after school snack.
Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
I first made Chocolate Snack Cake right after Rosie was born, while on maternity leave. Now, I made this Chocolate Chip variation while quarantined and doing remote school. I like to bake in stressful situations.
This cake, a variation of Wacky Cake, has no milk, butter, or eggs making it vegan. It came about in the Depression era when those ingredients were scarce so it was perfect during lockdown when grocery trips were also limited.
It whips up really quickly and makes a small cake, which is perfect for our family. Whether an afternoon snack or to satisfy a sweet tooth, this cake should be in your recipe box.
For another variation, try my Confetti Snack Cake next.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Flour – All purpose white flour.
- Brown Sugar – I use light brown. Dark brown will work as well.
- Baking Soda – For rise.
- Salt – For balance.
- Water
- Oil – Vegetable oil. You can sub unsweetened applesauce, if you prefer.
- Vinegar – White vinegar works along with the baking soda to add fluff to the cake.
How to make a Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- STEP ONE: To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together.
- STEP TWO: Stir in the water, oil, and vinegar and mix until just combined.
- STEP THREE: Pour into an 8 x 8 baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How to serve it
I like to top it with powdered sugar, but you could also add a chocolate frosting like my 5 minute chocolate frosting or a chocolate milk frosting. It’s also excellent warm, topped with ice cream.
Vegetable oil substitute
I have tested swapping the vegetable oil for applesauce in this recipe and it works well, but you’ll get a denser cake.
Need more easy cake recipes? Try these:
Better Than Sex Cake
Mexican Wedding Cake
Honey Bun Cake
Apple Oatmeal Snack Cake
Click here for a complete list of my cake recipes.
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- powdered sugar optional for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set out an 8 x 8 baking dish.
- To a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.1 ⅔ cup all purpose flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add in the water, oil, vinegar, and chocolate chips. Stir to combine.1 cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove and let cool on a cooling rack. Once fully cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.powdered sugar
Notes
- Unsweetened applesauce can be used in place of vegetable oil, it just makes for a slightly denser cake.
- I generally slice into 9 generous pieces, but it can feed up to 14 with more reasonable pieces.
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To easily lift the cake from the pan, line with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Love this easy recipe. Easy, quick, satisfies my sweet cravings. I did use milk in place of water.
Happy to hear that 🙂 Thanks for reporting back!
OMG, this reminds me of the boxed “snack” cake we used to make as a kid. It is SUPER easy to make and no eggs/butter but DELICIOUS without anything on it. I will definitely be making it again!!!
Love that! Thanks, Jodi 🙂
Just made this today and LOVED it! Reminded me of my childhood. Thank you ❤️
That you Katie! I love that 🙂
I can’t express how happy you have made me. I’ve been missing those snacking cakes I grew up with only needing to add water to the mix. This is the best recipe I’ve tried . If you’re looking for a recipe like that look no further this one is it ! Thank You so much
Yay! You’re welcome 🙂 thanks for letting me know!
Amazingly good. I wasn’t expecting much with no milk, butter or eggs but did not miss them at all. A keeper!! Thanks!!
Thanks, Judy! I’m glad you gave it a shot 🙂
Great Recipe as is. Grandkids love it!
Would it make a difference if I added
1t vanilla extract?
Thanks Melissa
Thanks Mark 🙂 I don’t think it’ll make a huge difference but it will be a good addition.
Hi Mark, I’ve added that! Also cinnamon & nutmeg gives it a nice spicey flavour.
Love this cake! I whip it up on a Friday night after supper sometimes when the BF asks, “Is there any dessert, please?” 😂
With today’s increasing food prices (esp. butter!) this one’s a great sweet-tooth craving with what’s in the pantry! Thank you 🥮
Happy to hear that!
As many have said, this is EXACTLY like those boxed snack cake mix that I loved as a kid that you used to make and bake in one pan and just add water (I think it was called Snackin’ cake)… just wondering if you think I can use a bit less brown sugar and mini chocolate chips instead?
Mini chocolate chips will definitely work, but I haven’t adjusted the brown sugar. I’d try taking it down to 3/4 cup & see how that does. Let me know if you do!
Easy and delicious!
Reminds me of my childhood when my grandma would make this as a treat.
So happy to hear that!
Do you have this in a small batch recipe for one person?
I do not, but if you try hard enough, I’m sure you could eat this one alone 😉 Just kidding, but it does make a small pan & will freeze well, if needed.