Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

old fashioned gingerbread cake

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Susan Feliciano
Oak Ridge, TN

This is my remake of a World War II recipe for a chocolate cake made without eggs, butter, or milk, which were rationed during the War. The cake rises nicely, has a good crumb, and is moist and soft. My daughter took a plate of it to the Art Museum where she works, and they were all asking for the recipe, so here it is! Sorry I could only get a picture of a few leftovers.

(1 rating)
yield 16 squares
prep time 5 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For old fashioned gingerbread cake

  • 1 3/4 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1 c
    sugar
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 3 tsp
    ginger, ground
  • 1 tsp
    cinnamon, ground
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp
    cider vinegar (may use white vinegar)
  • 1/3 c
    vegetable oil
  • 1 c
    cold water

How To Make old fashioned gingerbread cake

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray an 8" or 9" square pan that is at least 2" deep.
  • 2
    This can be mixed right in the pan. Measure all the dry ingredients into the prepared pan. Make 3 wells in the flour, and put the vanilla, vinegar, and oil into the 3 wells. Pour the cup of water over all and stir together with a fork until well blended.
  • 3
    Here is how I prefer to do it: Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk the liquid ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • 4
    Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. I think mine was done at 33 minutes. Cool in pan. May be iced with the following glaze:
  • 5
    Orange Glaze: Whisk a dash of salt into 2 tablespoons orange juice. Add up to 2 (or so) cups of powdered sugar until thick glaze consistency is reached. Spread on cake and allow to cool before cutting into squares.
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