The Depression Era and a recipe for Poor Mans Cake

A dear friend of mine shared some info on depression recipes. And well, as much as people want to say we're not that bad off yet. I think it can never be too early to start preparing and remembering. I listened to a story of a dear old lady who ate stale bread to remind herself of the suffering during the depression. So she would never forget. I'm guessing so that she would always be thankful. Another reason not to forget, is so that we won't forget how to survive and even thrive in those times. Many of the depression survivors are gone home, but there are still many that remain, and most of them are willing to share what they know if we'll listen. Seek them out and ask what they know. Then practice what you learn! Do it now while you don't HAVE to. If depression era recipes, and ways of living are part of our normal daily life, using them when we have to will not shock our bodies or minds so much when it becomes a necessity. So without further ado...

Poor Mans Cake

An egg-less, dairy free cake. A great spice cake used to stretch a budget or even for those with allergy considerations.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 1/2 cups coffee or water
• 1/3 cup fat drippings or oil
• 2 cups dark raisins
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine sugar, water, vegetable oil, raisins, and spices in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Take pan off heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
3. Dissolve baking soda and salt in 2 teaspoons of water and add to raisin mixture (it will foam).
4. Blend in the flour and baking powder. Mix well.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch square pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick unserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let cake cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

For your reading pleasure... I also found a neat article on living in the depression. It contains lots of neat info, a video about depression cooking, as well as a link to more information on depression living. You can read it HERE.

^"6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Mathew 24:6 KJV

Many blessings to you all!