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catie’s old times depression cake

(1 RATING)
161 Pinches 2 Photos
CatieBBaker avatar
LA, CA
Updated on Sep 16, 2013

I remember my grandmother talking about these cakes. She had a few recipes, but I was never able to find any from her. I think my mother tossed them when she closed up her home. I came across this recipe in the 70's. It sounded like one of the cakes I remembered her talking about, so I kept it. It is a tasty, spice cake, simple, but good. It has no eggs, butter, milk, or frosting, but is just an old-fashioned recipe from the 1930's, a depression cake. It comes together in an unusual way. Be sure to read through the recipe before starting.

prep time 30 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups strong coffee, water, or apple juice
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 cups dark raisins, or diced pitted prunes
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and shredded
  • 2 cups unsifted all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans

How To Make catie’s old times depression cake

  • Step 1
    In a medium saucepan, simmer sugar, coffee, shortening, raisins, and apple together for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool 10 minutes.
  • Step 2
    In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, all the spices, and walnuts. Pour cooled sugar-raisin mixture into dry ingredients; mix well.
  • Step 3
    Pour batter into greased 13x9x2 in. pan. Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 25-30 minutes, until center of cake springs back when lightly pressed with finger. Cut into squares when cool. This is a moist cake, it keeps well and can be frozen.
  • Step 4
    To make this recipe gluten free, use KAF or your favorite GF flour, following instructions for substituting for flour. This cake is already Vegan and Vegetarian, so no subs are necessary. IF you do not want to use a refined sugar, you may try a substitute. I have not, so I cannot tell you how it will affect the recipe. But as it is not used to beat and add structure to the mixture, I think it would work. Good Luck.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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