1920’s Depression Cake

What is Depression Cake:

Following the end of World War I the United States of America entered into what history called The Great Depression. During this time basic foods like eggs, butter and mild became scarce. This scarcity caused homemakers to be inventive and the cake which was eggless and dairy free came about.  This cake has been called Depression Cake or even sometimes Whacky Cake.

When was the Depression:

The Great Depression in the United States was during the early 1920s. This was immediately following the end of World War I in 1918.

Is this cake vegan:

This cake is definitely vegan. The ironic thing is that it was not intended to be. No-one had used the term ‘vegan’ back in the 1920s.

Why is this recipe unusual:

All of the ingredients except the flour, baking powder and baking soda are boiled in a sauce pan, cooled and then the flour mix is added.

Recipe:

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Depression Cake

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

50 mins

 

A delicious cake which became popular in the 1920s during the Great Depression

Author: Heidi Roberts

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar (195 grams)
• 2 cups light brown sugar (firmly packet) (350 grams)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup oil
• 4 cups raisins or mixture of dried fruits (600 grams)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 cups Plain flour (600 grams)
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180℃/350℉/Gas 4

2. Prepare a 13" x 9" baking pan (line with greaseproof paper or butter and flour)

3. In a large saucepan add the white sugar, light brown sugar, water, shortening (oil), raisins (or dried fruit mixture),cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.

4. Bring to the boil and boil for 3-4 minutes

5. Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool for about 5-8 minutes

6. Sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda

7. Add the flour to the boiled mixture in the sauce pan and mix well

8. Make sure there are no white bits of flour showing

9. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin

10. Bake for 45 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean the cake is ready. If not place back into the oven for another 5 minutes

11. Cool in the baking tin for 10-15 minutes

12. Turn out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

13. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee

If you make this Depression Cake please take a photo and post it on Instagram account and tag me @itsmeheidiroberts.

If you love baking you might like to try some of my other recipes – click on the links below to read them.

Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries

Easy Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Easy Cornbread with Chilli

Shortbread Fingers with Melted Chocolate

California Prune Banana Bread with Walnuts

Easiest Flapjacks Ever

Easy Native American Maple Syrup Pie

If you make any of these please post a photo on Instagram and tag my Instagram page – @itsmeheidiroberts . I’d love to see them.

Disclaimer:

I was not required to write a positive post. All photographs are my own. No photographs may be reproduced in any form without my written permission.