When ingredients were scarce during the great depression, bakers became inventive. Since today's political climate is giving many of us a great headache, if not a great depression, this might be the time to eat some chocolate cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ( I use 2 tsp)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup cold water
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In an 8-inch square baking pan, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make 3 small wells in the centre of the flour mixture. AKA 'depressions', get it? Add the oil in one, the vanilla in the next, vinegar in the third, and pour in the cup of water. Whisk until well combined. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, after 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Frost the cake with buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Or make a chocolate ganache, and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
My sister Sylvia says: "I also have baked this batter in muffin tins to make cupcakes. They turn out really well."
