During the Great Depression, a time of severe worldwide economic struggle–which took place in the 1930’s and lasted almost a decade– many couldn’t afford milk, eggs or butter, so recipes abound from this period that are accidentally vegan.
I came across this recipe for chocolate cake and just had to give it a try. I made a couple small tweaks, adding a tablespoon of crushed espresso powder to bump up the cocoa flavor and spread raspberry jam between the layers for that little extra something special.
I also chose the classic Hershey’s Cocoa One-Bowl Frosting Recipe from the side of the cocoa can, handed down by my grandmother when I was a little girl learning to bake in her kitchen. I simply substituted Earth Balance buttery baking sticks for the butter to veganize.
Depression-Era Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
10 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa (or 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp)
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 cups cold water
Instructions:
Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl then add the wet and combine until completely mixed. Pour into two 8 or 9 inch greased and floured cake pans and bake at 350-degrees for 30 minutes.
Notes: Careful not to over-bake. Check cake for doneness at around 25 minutes by sticking a toothpick in the center.
Don’t skimp on the jam!!
Also, this cake freezes really well. Cut into individual portions and freeze on a sheet tray, then transfer to covered container or ziplock bags. Easy!
I have been known to over indulge on cakes that look this good.
Ha! The trick is to cut into portions and freeze after the first serving, then pull out a slice every now and then. And share it with a friend 😉
Bonne Maman and Chocolate. Perfection! 🍓
My favorite jam brand…so good!
Looks tasty!
Better believe it!
Magnificent! It is tempting!
And so easy to make! Thanks for stopping by, Megala!
Looks delicious. Will be trying this out soon!
Let me know how it turns out!
This looks really delicious, and I love that you filled it with raspberry jam. There are lots of really good cake recipes from the Depression when eggs and milk were precious.
Thanks 🙂 I love food history.
I do too! And as you said, there were a lot of accidental vegan recipes from that period!