reciepe for depression cake?

Question

does anyone know of the recipe for a depression cake, it was a cake my great-grandmother made during the era of the great depression..it is almost a yellow cake with a "flop" in the middle. I cannot find her reciepe as she is passed now..can someone help me with their family reciepe? thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

These were popular during the Depression and WW2 because it requiresd no eggs, butter, or milk. Those were hard-to-come-by and/or rationed items.

DEPRESSION CAKE

2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons bacon grease (or shortening)
2 cups raisins
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

In a medium saucepan combine the brown sugar, hot water, bacon grease, and raisins, over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Add the ingredients from the saucepan and mix until well blended. Divide evenly between the two prepared pans.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
_________________

Here's another variation:

2 cups strong brewed coffee
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large saucepan combine the coffee, sugar, butter, raisins, allspice and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.

Stir in flour mixture until well combined. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean.

Answer 2

No Depression Cake
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/stories/nodepressioncake.htm

Chocolate Depression Cake:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/chocolatecakes/r/bl40212q.htm

Hope it Helps :-)