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–+ servings

Chocolate Depression Cake

thetimelessbaker
Chocolate depression cake is a moist chocolate sheet cake that was popular during the depression - due to the cake containing no eggs, dairy or butter! 
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
cooling time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 296 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowls of various sizes
  • 8" square baking pan

Ingredients
  

Cake:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar

Frosting:

  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons evaporated milk

Instructions
 

For the cake:

  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon baking soda; whisk until all combined.
  • In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup cold water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • Mix into dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  • Pour into a greased 8” square baking pan and bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

  • Combine all ingredients for the frosting (3 Tablespoons unsalted butter,, 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder,¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract,2 Tablespoons evaporated milk) in a medium-sized mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Spread onto cooled cake.

Notes

  • You can easily double this recipe; use a standard 9" x 13" baking pan and bake for the same amount of time
  • To keep this cake dairy free, omit the chocolate frosting. Top the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar instead
  • Store in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 242mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
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