Thursday, January 31, 2013

Alma's Depression Chocolate Cake


Alma bakes delicious things in her kitchen. That makes my dad very happy! Her "Depression Chocolate Cake" is moist and tasty. It is an easy recipe, simple to mix together and pop in the oven for a quick dessert. Its chemical formula is a bit different than a usual cake. It lacks eggs and dairy, which makes it economical, and vinegar is added to aid in leavening. Thus, it's called a "Depression" cake. It also incorporates a unique method of mixing. It is much like the popular "Dump Cakes" of the 1970's where everything goes into the baking pan, gets mixed together, and is baked. It doesn't get much more simple than that.

Alma's Depression Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 Tbsp. baking cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups cold water

Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt in ungreased 9 x 13 inch pan. Make three indentations. Into one pour the oil, into the second pour the vinegar, and into the third our the vanilla. Pour the water over all and mix well with a fork until completely combined.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

7 comments:

  1. Mmmmmm, sounds good, La Tea Dah.

    You know, my godmother, who grew up in the depression, used to may chocolate mayonnaise cake that was moist and delicious.

    Hope you have a nice Friday. Susan

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  2. Oh yes, it does sound good! Interesting recipe too. Nice to have an egg free dessert. I have a dear friend who can't eat eggs, so she would enjoy this.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Linda

    PS...your violet teapot and items are just delightful

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  3. Now that does sound unusual. Wouldn't it be easier to use a bowl for mixing? Tell the truth now! =D

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  4. our family has similar cake.. vinegar was so widely used during the Depression. somewhere i have a recipe for vinegar candy, which is actually quite good! thanks for sharing xxx

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  5. Tis the season for chocolate - a must have and this recipe looks wonderful!

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  6. Definitely unique in the mixing.
    How fun to see recipes that are used over the years.

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  7. I have this recipe and it is delicious! We call it 'Wacky Cake'!
    ~Adrienne~

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