Best 2 First World War Trench Cake Recipes

During the First World War, soldiers in the trenches were faced with harsh conditions and limited access to fresh ingredients. Out of necessity, they showed remarkable ingenuity in creating simple yet comforting dishes using basic rations. One such culinary creation is the Trench Cake, a cake made with ingredients that were readily available to soldiers in the trenches. This article presents two variations of Trench Cake recipes, offering a glimpse into the resourceful spirit of soldiers during wartime. The first recipe is a classic Trench Cake made with flour, sugar, dried fruit, and condensed milk, while the second recipe adds a unique twist with the use of chocolate and coconut. Both recipes are easy to follow and provide a taste of history that is both delicious and meaningful.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FIRST WORLD WAR TRENCH CAKE RECIPE - (3.9/5)

First World War Trench Cake Recipe - (3.9/5) image

Provided by MJH

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 lb flour (about 2 cups)
4 oz margarine
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/4 pint of milk
3 oz brown sugar
3 oz cleaned currants
2 teaspoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
grated lemon rind

Steps:

Grease a cake tin. Rub margarine into the flour in a basin. Add the dry ingredients. Mix well. Add the soda dissolved in vinegar and milk. Beat well. Turn into the tin. Bake in a moderate oven for about two hours.

WORLD WAR 1 CAKE

World War 1 Cake image

I have include a personal note from my Mother with the recipe. This recipe has been around for more then a 100 years now. My mother was born in 1910. Her memory was from 1916.

Provided by Bonnie Beck

Categories Cakes

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 c raisins
1 c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 Tbsp shortening, lard or butter (my grandma used butter)
1 c water
WHEN COLD ADD
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda (dissolved in a tablespoon of hot water)
1 tsp baking powder

Steps:

1. A note from my mother, she sent to the newspaper. "In a long forgotten era, when I was 6 years old, first-grader at the Alexander Hamilton school in Chicago, wearing long brown stockings- (atop of the long underwear) - beginning each mroning with the "Pledge of Alliegiance" and "The Star Spangled Banner" - adhering to the phrase (thank God) of "Children should be seen and not heard" -the days of a fun evening was sitting around the big oak dining room under what is now called a Tiffany lamp with all of the family cracking and eating walnuts while the soft snow fell noiselessly to the ground..and my Mother knitted socks "for the boys in the trenches..we ate my mother's luscious "War Cake"..and here is that cake recipe."
2. Boil the brown sugar with the raisins, cinnamon, ground cloves, butter and water for 3 mintues and cool.
3. When mixture is cool add the flour, baking powder and the baking soda with the water. Mix well and bake in a greased loaf pan. 325* or 350* until sides come away from pan slightly. Prick with a toothpick for doneness. Now we all know folks use to use a piece of broom straw to do this with. Well maybe your not that old..but I remember my Grandma and Mom doing this.
4. Thank God times have changed to a point..were Children are not only heard, but they are seen. Things changed with my Grandmother and my Mom when my kids where born. There were times when I was kid, it would have been easier to have been brought up by Carmelite Nuns in a Monastery. It really was a Tiffany lamp. A gift from my Grandfather to the woman he loved for 56 years. The receipt was found after my grandfather had passed away.

Tips:

Use simple ingredients: Trench cake was made with basic ingredients that were easy to find and store, such as flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. You can use similar ingredients to make a modern version of the cake.
Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Bake the cake in a hot oven: This will help the cake to rise and brown properly.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting it: This will prevent the frosting from melting.
Use a simple frosting: Trench cake was typically frosted with a simple buttercream or chocolate frosting. You can use a similar frosting or get creative with your own favorite frosting recipe.

Conclusion:

Trench cake is a simple but delicious cake that is a reminder of the hardships and ingenuity of the soldiers who fought in World War I. It is a cake that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is a great way to learn about history. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, trench cake is a great recipe for beginner bakers and experienced bakers alike. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give trench cake a try!