Don't look now, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, "depression cake" is becoming popular again.
If you're asking what exactly is "depression cake?" It's a cake that doesn't require milk, eggs, or butter and it became a thing during The Great Depression when food supplies were limited. Ingredients for the dessert include flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a few other things from the pantry topped with whipped cream or powdered sugar.
The dessert, also known as "wacky cake" is becoming more and more popular as many are self-isolating and can't make it to the grocery store for supplies.
Here is the recipe from salon.com:
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (or black cocoa)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup cooled brewed coffee (or water)
Instructions:
- Preheat to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch round or square pan.
- Mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and the sugar. Poke three holes into the mix. Pour the vanilla, vinegar, and oil into each hole — or depression (see what I did there?) — respectively.
- Add the coffee and stir the ingredients until well blended. Add to the pan.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is set but springy. Cool the cake in the pan, then top with the frosting of your choice or enjoy plain.