Great Depression Cake
Transport yourself back in time with this simple yet indulgent Great Depression Cake, a vintage dessert born from resourcefulness and creativity. Made without eggs, milk, or butter, this one-bowl wonder combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and vinegar to create a moist, chocolatey cake that's surprisingly rich despite its humble ingredients. Perfect for vegans or anyone looking for an easy, dairy-free dessert, this cake requires just 10 minutes of prep and is baked to perfection in under 35 minutes. Serve it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or dressed up with frosting for a nostalgic treat that proves deliciousness doesn't have to be extravagant.
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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 teaspoon 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 8-inch square or round baking pan.
In the baking pan (or a mixing bowl if preferred), combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
Make three small wells in the dry mixture. Pour the vinegar into one well, vanilla extract into the second, and vegetable oil into the third.
Pour the cup of water over all the ingredients and stir gently until the batter is smooth and no dry clumps remain. Be careful not to overmix.
If you mixed the batter in a bowl, pour it into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface of the batter with a spatula.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before serving.
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or frost as desired before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
261 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.7 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 280 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.2 g | ||
| Protein | 2.8 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 8 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 43 mg | 1% | |
*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.
