Quirky Cake Recipe: An Enduring Chocolate Cake Recipe from the Depression Era

Indulge in this effortless one-pan chocolate cake, perfect for rounding off any meal. Whether paired with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a steaming cup of coffee, or a refreshing glass of cold milk, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/3 cup of canola oil
• 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of chopped toasted pecans (optional)

Frosting:

• 1/3 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of whole milk
• 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
• 2 3/4 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In an 8×8-inch or 9×7-inch baking pan, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. No need to grease the pan.
3. Make three wells in the dry ingredients using a large spoon – one large well and two small wells.
4. Pour the vanilla extract and vinegar into the small wells, and the oil into the large well.
5. Add the water to the pan and stir the mixture well until everything is combined.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a rack for 30 minutes to an hour before frosting.
7. To make the frosting, combine the butter, milk, and cocoa in a saucepot. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often with a rubber spatula, until it comes to a simmer.
8. Turn off the heat and gradually add the vanilla and powdered sugar, stirring until smooth.
9. Frost the cooled cake and sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.
10. Serve with a side of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Recipe Notes:

• Feel free to substitute pecans with almonds or walnuts for added texture.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature.Repurposed article originally published in 30 seconds Food

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