Depression Cake - Ingredients and Recipe

Ingredients and Recipe

Some commonly used ingredients in depression cake:

• white sugar,
• brown sugar,
• molasses,
• corn syrup,
• strong coffee, water, or apple juice,
• shortening,
• dark raisins or diced pitted prunes,
• apple,
• unsifted all-purpose flour,
• rye flour,
• salt
• baking soda,
• baking powder,
• cinnamon,
• allspice,
• clove,
• nutmeg,
• chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.

Pears were sometimes substituted for apples.

An example for a depression cake recipe is as follows:

• Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 13 by 9 in baking pan. In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup white sugar, 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, 2 cups water, 1 cup shortening, 4 cups seedless raisins, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cloves, and 2 tsp salt. Boil together for 3 minutes, then cool.
• Sift together 4 cups flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp baking soda. Add to saucepan, along with 2 cups chopped nuts (optional.) Mix well and pour into baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Let cool for 10 minutes, then turn onto a cake plate. When thoroughly cool, sprinkle with a little powdered sugar or mix lemon juice and grated lemon rind into powdered sugar for frosting.

This is one example of a depression cake recipe. Other variations may include corn syrup, molasses, brown sugar, and various fruits. In some instances, bakers would leave the cake unfrosted or sprinkle the top with powdered sugar in lieu of icing. The interchangeability of ingredients makes the recipe for depression cake extremely versatile.