Belinda Murrell: Bringing Australian History To Life | Page 20

RECIPE

HOW TO MAKE A

DEPRESSION CAKE
DEPRESSION CAKE WAS COMMONLY MADE DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION. MILK, BUTTER AND EGGS
WERE EXPENSIVE OR HARD TO OBTAIN. THIS CAKE WAS POPULAR BECAUSE IT USES LITTLE TO NONE OF
THOSE PRODUCTS. A COPY OF THIS RECIPE CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN THE BACK OF THE SEQUIN STAR.

Ingredients

2 cups packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or bacon grease
2 cups raisins
2 cups hot water (or hot coffee)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Shredded apple or nuts can be added if
desired

Directions
1) Preheat oven to 165 degrees Celsius. Grease and
flour a square cake tin.

2)

Combine the brown sugar, vegetable oil, raisins
and hot water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring
to the boil for five minutes, then set aside to cool.

3) Stir together the flour, salt, baking soda and
spices in a bowl. Mix in wet ingredients from the saucepan
and pour into cake tin.
4)

Bake for 50 minutes in preheated oven. Cool in pan for
ten minutes before serving.

20 randomhouse.com.au/teachers