Depression Cake - Made during the GREAT DEPRESSION

by Gail Larson Toerpe
(Bay View (Milwaukee), WI, USA)

Because people were poor, money and jobs scarce, people created recipes that were good yet cheap (for the day). This is also good for people with certain allergies. Can be made with Gluten-free flour but use a bit more.

Gail Larson Toerpe, DAR, Colonial Dames, Daughters of Colonial Wars, etc. (

DEPRESSION CAKE (Delicious-spicy)
Eggless, Milkless, Butterless Cake

2 cups dark brown sugar (packed)
2 cups hot water
2 Tblspn lard or shortening
1 tspn. salt
2 cups raisins or currants
2 scant tspn. cinnamon
1 tspn. ground cloves
3 cups flour, more as needed for fairly
thick batter.
1 tspn each, baking soda, & warm water

Set oven to 325. Mix together in saucepan all ingredients except flour & baking soda/water. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to medium heat. Add flour and moistened baking soda to the mixture. Stir well and pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake 40-45 minutes or when toothpick slipped into middle of cake comes out clean. Cool cakes for about ten minutes and remove from pans. No need for frosting! Can be frozen.