Description
This Depression Cake is a classic, budget-friendly chocolate cake that uses simple pantry ingredients and no eggs or milk. It’s moist, rich, and topped with a smooth cocoa frosting, perfect for a comforting dessert that anyone can make at home.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 9×9-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Create three small wells in the dry ingredients. Pour white vinegar into one well, vanilla extract into the second, and water into the third. Mix all ingredients gently until the batter is smooth, being careful not to overmix.
- Fill the Pan and Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting it.
- Prepare the Frosting: Sift powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder into a small bowl. Stir in water and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add a few drops of water at a time if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Frost the Cake: Evenly spread the prepared frosting over the cooled cake surface using a spatula or knife.
- Serve: Cut the cake into slices, serve, and enjoy this simple yet delicious chocolate dessert.
Notes
- The vinegar reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise without eggs.
- You can substitute white vinegar with apple cider vinegar if preferred.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Add a pinch of instant coffee powder to the cake batter to deepen the chocolate flavor if desired.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
