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Depression Cake Recipe

A Spicy Raisin Cake Made With No Eggs, Milk, or Butter

Jul 13, 2009 Dianna Brodine

This spicy cake was popularized during the Great Depression, when household staples like eggs and milk were harder to find. A decadent frosting brings it up to date.

Depression cake became popular in the Great Depression of the 1930s, when normal household staples like eggs, milk, and butter were no longer easy to obtain. Using shortening instead of butter, and eliminating milk and eggs all together put this cake in the reach of families looking for a ‘sweet’ ending to their meals.

In addition to its history as a Depression-era dessert, this cake makes a nice alternative for those who are allergic to dairy products or eggs.

Depression Cake Recipe

1 cup raisins
2 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons shortening (or butter)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
A pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place the raisins and cold water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat on the stovetop, stewing the raisins. This softens the raisins for baking and creates a juice to moisten the dry cake ingredients.
Remove the saucepan from heat and set it aside when approximately one cup of juice remains. It is not necessary to measure the juice - a little more or a little less will not affect the quality of the cake.
Use a fork to cream the sugar and shortening together in a mixing bowl. As noted in the ingredients list, butter can be used in place of shortening.
Add the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Once the dry ingredients have been thoroughly mixed, add the raisins and juice. Stir until well-combined.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean when the cake is done.
Let the cake cool.

Because this cake does not contain traditional leavening ingredients, it will not ‘rise’, and the cake top will be lumpy, instead of smooth. The brown sugar frosting recipe (listed below) adds a sweet finish to the spicy cake, while also disguising its lumpy appearance.

Depression Cake Frosting

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
3 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Melt the butter over low heat in a medium saucepan.
Add the brown sugar and slowly bring the mixture to a boil.
Stir for one minute, remove the saucepan from the heat, and let the mixture cool slightly.
Add the milk and whisk.
Add the powdered sugar in ½ cup increments.
Mix until the frosting is of spreading consistency and frost the cooled cake.

Raisins, a key ingredient in Depression cake, are an excellent source of energy, high in fiber and potassium, while also low in sodium. The California Raisin Marketing Board, an advocate of the raisin industry, has tips on storing raisins at its website.

The copyright of the article Depression Cake Recipe in Recipes is owned by Dianna Brodine. Permission to republish Depression Cake Recipe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Raisins