Chocolate Depression Cake (No Eggs, Butter, or Milk)

Side view of a slice of chocolate depression cake on a plate.

4.82 from 134 votes

Chocolate Depression Cake (No Eggs, Butter, or Milk)

This unique Chocolate Depression Cake recipe, popularized during the great depression, is rich and chocolatey without the using any eggs, butter, or milk!

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Cooling Time1

Total Time1 50

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Total Cost: $4.31 recipe / $0.48 slice

Servings: 1 slice each

Calories: 328kcal

Author: Beth Moncel

Equipment

Glass Mixing Bowls
Measuring Cups Spoons
Liquid Measuring Cup
Whisk

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

1.5 cups all-purpose flour $0.27
1 cup granulated sugar $0.96
½ tsp salt $0.02
1 tsp baking soda $0.02
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder $0.57
⅓ cup cooking oil $0.21*
1 Tbsp vinegar $0.06**
1 tsp vanilla extract $0.65
1 cup water $0.00

Chocolate Icing

1.5 cups powdered sugar $0.48
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder $0.42
3 Tbsp water $0.00
1 tsp vanilla extract $0.65

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder until well combined.
Add 1 cup water to a liquid measuring cup, then add the vanilla extract and vinegar to the water.
Add the oil to the bowl of dry ingredients, followed by the water mixture. Stir until the chocolate cake batter is mostly smooth. Make sure no dry flour remains on the bottom of the bowl.
Pour the cake batter into an 8x8" or 9x9" baking dish. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake the cake for 35 minutes.

Chocolate Icing

If using the chocolate icing, let the cake cool for at least an hour after baking before adding the icing.
Wait until the cake is cool, then prepare the icing. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract to a bowl. Begin adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it forms a thick but pourable icing (about 3 Tbsp total). If you let the icing sit, it may begin to dry, but you can add a splash more water to make it moist again.
Pour the icing over the cooled cake and spread until the cake is evenly covered. Slice the cake into 9 pieces and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Notes

*Use any neutral cooking oil of your choice, like canola, vegetable, grapeseed, safflower, corn, or avocado oil.

**Any light vinegar will work, like white vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

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