A timeless favorite ...

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Wednesday, 23 February 2011 11:41

Who would have thought that out of a devastating time for our country, a luscious chocolate cake would be so popular?

Well, we had a few days of warmer weather and that annoying little rodent, the ground hog, did see his shadow, but old frosty keeps coming back! Most of our towns have canceled February vacation and my kids are climbing the walls. I am trying to keep them busy with testing and baking creative recipes for our cookbook and something chocolate is always their first request. It’s been a long winter and we have tried many chocolate recipes on these snowy days, but then I remember ... a luscious chocolate cake from our childhood, sitting in Mrs. Tantimonico’s kitchen, waiting for it to come out of the oven — and decide, this is it!

“Wacky cake” or “Depression Cake” as it is called was developed during the Great Depression. Someone figured out how to make a moist, delicious cake without eggs, milk or butter because these ingredients were expensive and hard to get. I call this a timeless generational recipe – passed down from generation to generation. It is simple to prepare and the result is a rich, dense, moist cake! The kids loved it! Traditionally is it served with a sprinkle of confectioners sugar, but any of your favorite frostings work just as well.

This cake has become quite popular for people who are vegan or allergic to dairy.

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I doubled the recipe and used a 9x13 inch pan, but next time I think I will use a bundt pan.

Chocolate Wacky Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together by hand. Add all the wet ingredients until well combined. Pour into an 8”x8” pan which has been prepared with non-stick spray.

Bake for 30 minutes until done. Allow to completely cool before serving. Cake is even better if eaten the next day. Enjoy!