Depression-Era cake :https://www.budgetbytes.com/chocolate-depression-cake/
I know what you’re probably thinking, why the heck would I make depression cake? Especially after reading such a debbie downer book like The Bell Jar. Why can’t I just eat regular cake? To this, I would say… stop asking so many questions. Of course, after such a despairing book you would want to feel a bit better, and what’s better than chocolate cake? Even better, a cake that you can make right now without having to go to the store.
How did people in the Depression-Era make cake? Well, when there’s a will there’s a way, and they made sure to find a way to have cake, even if that meant not using things like eggs, butter, and milk. Now this may sound disgusting, but I promise you, when you’re done, you’re going to have a new favorite recipe to make whenever you’re craving something sweet. Not only is it cheap, it’s also easy and fast to make.
Ingredients and measurements: Cake
- All-Purpose flour (1.5 cups)
- Granulated sugar ( 1 cup)
- Baking soda ( teaspoon)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder ( ⅓ cup)
- Cooking oil (any neutral oil) (⅓ cup)
- Vinegar (any vinegar) (1 tablespoon)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Water (1 cup)
- Salt ( ½ teaspoon)
- Whisk
- Liquid Measuring cups
- Regular measuring spoons
- Bowls
Ingredients and measurements: Icing
- Powdered sugar (1.5 cups)
- Cocoa powder ( ¼ cup)
- Water(3 tablespoons)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
First things first, you want to add your flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and baking soda into a large bowl and mix together.
In a liquid measuring cup put one cup of water. Then add vanilla extract and vinegar to the same measuring cup.
Next, you’re gonna put your oil and the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Make sure that everything is combined well.
Then…wait, that’s it! Just make sure you spray your small pan (8×8 or 9×9), then pour in your mixture. Pop it into the oven for 35 minutes at 350°F or 177°C, and try to clean up while you wait.
Now, you could stop here, but where is the fun in that? Who wants to eat a boring old cake? Not you and definitely not people going through an economic depression. Of course, you gotta have some kind of frosting. Now, don’t worry if you have never made your homemade frosting before because, just like the cake, this frosting is undemanding and doesn’t require much skill. In fact, it only requires two steps!
Take your cocoa powder, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix together in a bowl. Then add the water in, one tablespoon at a time, mixing in between each spoon. It won’t look like it’s enough water at first but trust the process. When done, it should have a thick consistency. Now, spread the frosting over your cooled cake. It is crucial to let the cake fully cool down before putting on frosting. If you don’t, the cake will collapse on itself.
Alright, I know you’re tired after all that hard work, but now all you gotta do is eat and enjoy. Hopefully this cake leaves you a bit happier and with some money left in your pockets. Make sure to save this recipe for rainy days, and have fun eating!
