Chocolate Depression Cake
**Ingredients:**
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon white vinegar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 cup water
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat and Prep:**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients.
3. **Create Wells:**
Make three small wells in the dry mixture. Pour the vinegar into one well, the vanilla extract into the second well, and the vegetable oil into the third well.
4. **Add Water:**
Pour the water over the entire mixture. This may seem unusual, but it’s the secret to the cake’s unique texture.
5. **Mix:**
Using a whisk or a spatula, mix the ingredients together until you have a smooth batter. Ensure there are no lumps.
6. **Bake:**
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. **Cool:**
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can frost it with your favorite frosting or dust it with powdered sugar.
**Optional Frosting:**
**Ingredients:**
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– ¼ cup milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. **Cream Butter and Cocoa:**
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the cocoa powder until smooth.
2. **Add Sugar and Milk:**
Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, beating after each addition until you reach the desired consistency.
3. **Add Vanilla:**
Beat in the vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
4. **Frost Cake:**
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
**Benefits:**
– **Simple Ingredients:** Uses common pantry staples, making it easy to whip up without a trip to the store.
– **No Eggs or Dairy:** Perfect for those with allergies or when you’re out of fresh ingredients.
– **Quick and Easy:** Minimal prep and simple instructions make it a great option for beginner bakers.
– **Historical Value:** This cake dates back to the Great Depression era, offering a glimpse into how people creatively managed with limited resources.
Enjoy your delicious and historically rich Chocolate Depression Cake!