Depression Cake

Depression Cakes derived its name from the Great Depression-a severe worldwide economic depression that started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. During that period ingredients such as eggs, milk, butter and fine, white sugar was really expensive and extremely scarce. So the Depression Cake was born. Vinegar is especially important in this recipe because, when coupled with baking soda, it starts a chemical reaction that makes the batter rise as it bakes.

Depression Cake

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cups brown sugar

  2. 2 cups apple juice, or strong coffee

  3. 1/2 cup vegetable oil

  4. 2 cups raisins or pitted prunes

  5. 1 medium apple, peeled and shredded

  6. 2 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted

  7. 2 tsp. baking powder

  8. 1 dessertspoon white vinegar

  9. 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

  10. 1 tsp. ground allspice

  11. 1 tsp. ground cloves

  12. 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

  13. 1 teaspoon white pepper

  14. 3 tablespoons cocoa

  15. 1 cup of nuts can be added if you like, but not required

  16. 2 tablespoons of honey to be used as a glaze after the cake is cooked.

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, simmer coffee or apple juice, sugar, shortening, raisins, and apple together for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Cool 30 minutes, add vinegar. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, pepper cocoa and nuts (if using). Pour cooled sugar-raisin mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a straw inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Make Glaze: heat 2 tablespoons of honey till very liquid. Dribble on the cake while the cake is hot.

“If you’re trying to create a company, it’s like baking a cake. You have to have all the ingredients in the right proportion.” — Elon Musk, 28 June 1971 born in Pretoria, South Africa, is an entrepreneur and business magnate. He is the founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer at SpaceX.