Chocolate Depression Cake

 

Depression as in The Great Depression, not depression as in “this cake will cure your depression.” 😅Since a lot of us are experiencing ingredient shortages right now, I thought there was no better time to post this Chocolate Depression Cake (also known as Crazy Cake or Wacky Cake), which was also born out of a time when ingredients were in limited supply—The Great Depression. This unique cake is rich and chocolatey without using any eggs, milk, or butter. A cake without butter?? So “wacky,” I know.

Ingredients:

FOR THE CAKE:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup water

FOR THE FROSTING:

2 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon milk (or cream)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Methods:

 

How To Make Chocolate Depression Cake

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine vanilla, vinegar, oil and water. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until completely combined and no lumps remain.

 

 

Pour batter into a greased 8×8 square pan.

 

 

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

 

 

Let cake cool completely before frosting.

How To Make Frosting

 

 

Transfer chocolate mixture to a medium size mixing bowl. With mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.

 

 

Melt butter in a small saucepan (or in the microwave using a microwave safe dish.) Stir in cocoa powder, mixture will form a thick paste.

 

 

Once ingredients are incorporated, turn mixer to medium high speed and beat about 5 minutes, until frosting is smooth and creamy. Spread on top of cooled cake.

 

Enjoy.