Description
Wartime kitchens inspired this chocolate depression cake, crafted with minimal ingredients during scarce times. Resourceful bakers can whip up this simple dessert without eggs or milk, creating a rich chocolate treat you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (35 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate frosting of choice
- Rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 13×9-inch (33×23 centimeters) baking pan with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
- Dry Mixture: Directly into the prepared pan, combine flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any lumps and create a uniform base.
- Liquid Integration: Form three strategic wells in the dry ingredients – two small on opposite sides and one larger central well – then carefully add white vinegar, pure vanilla extract, and vegetable oil to respective wells.
- Batter Composition: Pour room temperature water across the dry ingredients and vigorously whisk in circular motions until the mixture transforms into a smooth, consistent chocolate batter with no dry patches visible.
- Baking Process: Slide the pan into the preheated oven, rotating midway through the 32-37 minute cooking time to ensure even heat distribution and optimal texture.
- Doneness Verification: Pierce the cake’s center with a clean toothpick; if it emerges with minimal to no batter, the cake is perfectly baked.
- Cooling Stage: Remove from oven and let the cake rest at room temperature for 60-75 minutes, allowing complete cooling before applying preferred chocolate frosting.
Notes
- Quick Kitchen Rescue: Perfect for unexpected baking moments when you’re out of traditional ingredients like eggs, milk, or butter.
- Waste-Reducing Technique: Uses common pantry staples, minimizing food waste and saving money during ingredient shortages.
- Mixing Magic: Combining ingredients directly in the baking pan reduces dishes and simplifies the entire baking process.
- Temperature Precision: Room temperature water and careful mixing ensure a smooth, consistent cake texture without lumps or dry spots.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg