This cake most likely orginated during the depression, when ingredients like milk, eggs and butter may have been difficult to come by. It relys on baking soda and vinegar for the leavening. The cake is rich, moist and delicious, and a great companion to fresh strawberries.
You can hear more about desperation desserts, and other stories of people who cook, eat, and drink in the Hoosier State, on Indiana Home Cooks, available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, and at indianahomecooks.com
Susan's Crazy Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 3 C all purpose flour
- 6 T cocoa powder
- 2 C sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp vinegar
- Scant 2/3 C canola or other light oil
- 2 C cold water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º.
- Measure dry directly into a 13" x 9" cake pan, un-greased and un-floured.
- Mix dry ingredients thoroughly in the pan, using a fork or wire whisk. Make three wells in the dry mixture (two small and one large well).
- Into one of the small wells put vanilla, and into the other small well put vinegar. Finally, pour the oil into the larger well. Carefully pour the 2 cups water over all. With a fork or whisk, stir thoroughly, making sure to incorporate all dry ingredients and the oil. Take it slowly at first, so as not to slosh anything out of the pan. The batter will have small lumps. That's unavoidable mixing by hand, and it's fine.
- Bake at 375º for 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean when done. Cool completely on a rack.
- To serve, dust individual cake pieces
You can hear more about desperation desserts, and other stories of people who cook, eat, and drink in the Hoosier State, on Indiana Home Cooks, available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, and at indianahomecooks.com
