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!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 8

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Lightly grease an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking pan.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 9

Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(732.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2030.7

Total Fat 69.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 42g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2449.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 347.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 201.2g
Protein 21.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 60.0mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 459.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.7%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 66.2%