Depression Cake
Discover the simplicity and charm of Depression Cake, a one-bowl chocolate cake recipe born from necessity during lean times and beloved for its rich flavor and ease. This eggless, dairy-free dessert uses everyday pantry staples like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and vinegar to create a moist and tender cake with no need for fancy ingredients. Perfectly suited for beginners, it comes together in just 10 minutes of prep and bakes in under half an hour. Whether you enjoy it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or adorned with frosting, this nostalgic treat is proof that delicious desserts don’t have to be complicated. Great for vegans or anyone seeking an easy, budget-friendly dessert idea, this timeless cake is a must-try for any occasion!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking pan.
In the baking pan itself or in a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until evenly combined.
Make three small wells or indentations in the dry mixture. Pour the white vinegar into one well, the vanilla extract into the second well, and the vegetable oil into the third well.
Pour the water over the entire mixture. Using a fork or whisk, mix everything together until the batter is smooth and there are no dry patches. Be sure to scrape the edges and corners to incorporate all the ingredients.
If you mixed the batter in the baking pan, spread it out evenly. If you mixed in a separate bowl, transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and smooth it out.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2031 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 69.4 g | 89% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.9 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 42.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2450 mg | 107% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 347.9 g | 127% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.7 g | 38% | |
| Total Sugars | 201.2 g | ||
| Protein | 21.8 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 60 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 11.0 mg | 61% | |
| Potassium | 459 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
