Grandma's Depression Cake
Discover the timeless charm of Grandma’s Depression Cake, a simple yet decadent chocolate dessert born from an era of resourcefulness. This nostalgia-filled recipe requires no eggs, milk, or butter, making it both budget-friendly and vegan by design. Made in a single 8x8-inch pan with pantry staples like cocoa powder, white vinegar, and vanilla extract, the cake comes together in just 10 minutes of prep time. Its moist, tender crumb and rich chocolate flavor make it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Perfectly suited for beginner bakers, this one-pan wonder is a no-fuss treat that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Dust with powdered sugar or pair with whipped cream to elevate this humble yet satisfying dessert.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2
In an ungreased 8x8-inch baking pan, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well with a fork or whisk until evenly distributed.
Step 3
Form three small wells in the dry mixture. Pour the oil into one well, vinegar into the second, and vanilla extract into the third.
Step 4
Pour the water over everything in the pan and stir gently with a fork or spatula until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, making sure to scrape the corners of the pan to incorporate all the flour.
Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 6
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Step 7
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream for added flavor.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (733.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2043.6 |
| Total Fat 70.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 11.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 42g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1190.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 351.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 201.4g | |
| Protein 22.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 66.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 11.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 541.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories