10 Mayonnaise Cake Recipes

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake I — Photo: Westgal

Mayonnaise cake has existed for nearly a century, so clearly it's doing something right. Mayonnaise cakes originated during the Great Depression as a replacement for eggs and oil due to their scarcity, and they continue going strong today. What does mayonnaise do to a cake? The mixture of eggs and oil in mayonnaise combines two crucial emulsifiers that you'd likely be using anyway, and the touch of acidity from the vinegar works with the leaveners, such as baking soda and baking powder, to give the cake a little lift. Plus, mayonnaise adds extra moisture, which is what you want in a cake. Give these mayonnaise cake recipes a try, and see what the magic of mayonnaise can do.

01 of 11

Cranberry Carrot Cake

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"Delicious carrot cake. I was a little unsure about using mayonnaise rather than oil but decided to try it anyway," says community member Molly. "This cake baked up very nice and even no dip in the middle like some carrot cakes that use oil. We enjoyed the addition of the dried cranberries. I frosted with a cream cheese icing. We had this for my son and father's birthday and everyone enjoyed it."

02 of 11

Chocolate Mayo Cake

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Allrecipes community member Virginia Godd shared this recipe, saying, "My mom made this cake while living in the Depression. It is so good, I hope this fills your needs and your memories."

03 of 11

Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting

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"My mother always made these quick and easy cupcakes for impromptu summer barbeques and they are a childhood favorite of mine," says Allrecipes home cook Erin Quinn.

04 of 11

Aunt Joyce's Chocolate Cake

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"Don't let the mayonaise deter you.... this is the most delicious cake I have ever tasted," says Allrecipes home cook Amy Valiante. "I use sweetened chocolate instead of unsweetened but other than that, I change nothing. The last time I made it, I topped it with "whipped cream cheese frosting" and it was talked about for days."

05 of 11

Mayonnaise Cake II

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Community member Sue Dorfler's favorite cake is this chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe her mother used during the Great Depression. It's fudgy and super moist, and might just be your new favorite.

06 of 11

Banana Cake III

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"I thought this recipe was fantastic! My husband is a firm believer that you must have eggs in order for a cake to taste great," says community member BOOBOOBEAR1. "He was pleasantly surprised to make an exception with this cake. He thought it was the best banana cake he ever tasted."

07 of 11

Chocolate Chip Date Nut Cake

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This snackable cake is loaded with dates and topped with walnuts, chocolate chips, and brown sugar. "This cake is so easy to bake," says Allrecipes member Elizabeth Rios. "I made is for work and everyone loved it. It came out so moist and the flavor was perfect. I will be baking this cake often."

08 of 11

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake II

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"I have baked this cake over and over again and LOVE it," says community member ZATEXMOM. "I just baked it on Thursday for a Thanksgiving dessert (after not baking it for years!) and my husband again said 'Hmmmmm.... this is good!'"

09 of 11

Date Nut Mayonnaise Cake

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This cake comes out more like a snacking cake or sweet bread, which makes it perfect for nibbling on with a small group or intimate family gathering. If you can find Medjool dates, use those for better flavor and sweetness.

10 of 11

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake I

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As far as chocolate cakes go, this one is pretty mild, but the dense, brownie-like texture is what keeps people coming back for more. Pair it with a rich chocolate icing or frosting for an irresistible treat.