Best 4 Great Depression Cake Recipes

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During the Great Depression, people had to get creative with their cooking due to the scarcity of ingredients and the need for affordable meals. The Great Depression Cake is a testament to this creativity, using simple and inexpensive ingredients to create a moist and flavorful cake. This cake is a symbol of resilience and the ability to make something delicious out of very little.

The recipes in this article offer variations on the classic Great Depression Cake, each with its own unique twist. From the basic recipe to one with chocolate frosting, and even a vegan version, there's a cake here for everyone to enjoy. These Depression-era recipes are not only a reminder of the challenges faced during that time but also a celebration of the resourcefulness and determination of the people who lived through it. So preheat your oven and get ready to bake a piece of history with these delicious and affordable Great Depression Cake recipes.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GRANDMA'S GREAT DEPRESSION CAKE



Grandma's Great Depression Cake image

A delicious spiced cake recipe that is made with cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg, Grandma's Great Depression Cake is easy to make and easy on the budget. Old fashioned cake recipes like this will forever be remembered as some of the best desserts out there. Baked until golden brown, each slice has a bold flavor that is perfect for the colder months of the year. Serve it when it is still warm and you won't be able to stop at just one slice. This is a great cake recipe to serve with tea or coffee for a nice afternoon pick-me-up. It could even be eaten for breakfast, as a sweeter alternative to your regular eggs and toast. You might notice that this depression cake recipe is missing some common baking ingredients. It's dairy-free and egg-free, because those ingredients were difficult to get during the 1930s. This frugal cake was a great alternative to other cake recipes that used more expensive ingredients. And the recipe turned out to be so delicious that everyone continues to make it today! Our version of depression cake uses raisins and a healthy amount of spice, for a dessert (or snack) that is bursting with flavor.

Provided by RecipeLion.com Test Kitchen

Categories     Cake

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cup cold water
2 cup raisins
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
2 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Powdered sugar for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325º degrees F. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, combine water, raisins, brown sugar, vegetable oil and the spices. Bring to a boil and, stirring constantly, boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile mix the baking soda and salt in water and stir until completely dissolved. Combine flour and baking powder and toss with a fork to combine.
  • After raisin mixture has cooled, add soda and salt mixture - it will bubble up, so stir well. Add the flour mixture and stir until a stiff dough has formed and raisins are well distributed. Spoon into prepared pan, smooth the top and bake 55 minutes.
  • Remove cake from oven to a cooling rack and let cool 5 minutes, then use overhanging foil to remove cake from the pan and allow to cool completely.
  • Serve slightly warm as dessert or with morning coffee. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

DEPRESSION CAKE III



Depression Cake III image

A cake handed down from my Great Grandmother when they didn't have much to use in their mixes. Prepare to enjoy the most wonderful thing you ever laid a lip on.

Provided by Wayne

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Spice Cake Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups strong brewed coffee
1 ½ cups white sugar
½ cup butter
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
  • In a large saucepan combine the coffee, sugar, butter, raisins, allspice and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Stir in flour mixture until well combined. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160.5 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 148.8 mg, Sugar 16.6 g

GREAT DEPRESSION CAKE



Great Depression Cake image

This cake has many names and many variations. It is rumored to have come about during the Great Depression. In spite of the fact that it has no eggs it is nice and moist.

Provided by PaulaG

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups strong coffee
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup raisins
1 apple, grated
1 teaspoon allspice
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Lightly greased and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, set aside.
  • Bring the first five ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionslly.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Blend the dry ingredients together and stir into the boiled mixture.
  • Pour batter into pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

GRANDMA'S DEPRESSION CAKE



Grandma's Depression Cake image

This is an eggless, milkless, butterless cake. " A delicious spiced cake that's easy on the budget". I found this recipe in the "Guideposts" magazine (August 2009 issue). The recipe was part of a wonderful article with the same title written by Rosemary Marbach.

Provided by nuts about music

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 1 cake, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups dark raisins
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons water
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

  • Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Combine sugar, water, vegetable oil, raisins, and spices in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Take pan off heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Dissolve baking soda and salt in 2 teaspoons of water and add to raisin mixture (it will foam).
  • Blend in the flour and baking powder. Mix well.
  • Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch square pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick unserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cake cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • Use simple and affordable ingredients: The recipes in this article rely on basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. These ingredients were readily available and inexpensive during the Great Depression, and they still are today.
  • Be resourceful and creative: The Great Depression forced people to get creative with their cooking. They used whatever ingredients they had on hand to make delicious and satisfying meals. This spirit of resourcefulness can still be applied today, even if we're not facing economic hardship.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: The recipes in this article are just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique dishes.
  • Make it a family affair: Cooking and baking were often family activities during the Great Depression. It was a way to bond and spend time together. Today, cooking together can still be a great way to connect with your loved ones.

Conclusion:

The recipes in this article are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the American people during the Great Depression. They show us that even in the most difficult of times, it is possible to find joy and nourishment in food. Today, we can still learn from the lessons of the Great Depression by cooking and baking with simple, affordable ingredients. We can also be resourceful and creative in our cooking, and we can make it a family affair. By doing so, we can create delicious and memorable meals that will nourish our bodies and our souls.

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