Depression Cake

5 from 4 votes

This depression cake (or "war cake" or "wacky cake") is an easy cake recipe to keep in your book, and is an old-fashioned recipe that stands the test of time.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 341kcal

Author: Jessica Burgess

Equipment

9x13 pan
Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Whisk
cooling rack

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ⅓ cups water
⅔ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Frosting:

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened, 1 stick
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Cake:

Spray a 9x13 metal pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
Add in water, vegetable oil, vanilla and white vinegar and whisk until ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
1 ⅓ cups water, ⅔ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Pour the batter into the metal pan and bake for 28-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
Place pan on a wire rack to allow it to cool completely before icing.

Frosting:

Prepare your frosting by mixing softened butter, cocoa powder, and honey in a medium bowl with a hand mixer on low. Mix just until combined and then add vanilla and heavy cream. Run on medium until nice and smooth.
1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Spread over cake and enjoy.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. It will keep longer in the refrigerator, but keep it tightly covered to keep it from drying out.
Honey in the frosting - You can leave the honey out of the frosting if desired, as it will be sweet enough but the honey gives it the shiny glaze look that is beautiful.

Nutrition