----- For Meal-Master v7.0+ - generated by HnG Recipes DB v1.2 at Homes-n-Gardens

      Title: World War II Vintage Chocolate Cake

 Categories: Heirloom recipes

      Yield: 1 Cake - 16 servings



  1 1/2 c  King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

      1 c  sugar

    1/4 c  Dutch-process cocoa or natural cocoa

    1/2 ts salt

    1/2 ts espresso powder, optional

      1 ts baking soda

      1 ts vanilla extract

      1 tb vinegar, cider or white

    1/3 c  vegetable oil

      1 c  cold water



1)  This is from King Arthur Flour but the same recipe my grandmother used.

2)  She used 1 cup of black coffee instead of the water and coffee powder. 

3)  This World War II vintage cake — it is egg - and dairy-free, reflecting the rationing of those times — is dark, moist, and delicious. 

4) Over the years, this has been one of King Arthur Flour's most requested recipes. 

5) And, even though the "stir it all together in the pan" method is traditional, go ahead and stir everything together in a bowl, if that feels more comfortable.

6) ............

7) Directions

8) ............

9)  Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8" square or 9" round pan that's at least 2" deep. If you don't have a 2"-deep pan in either of those sizes, use a 9" square pan.

10) Traditional method: Measure all the dry ingredients into the prepared pan. Blend the ingredients together thoroughly with a fork or whisk and scoop out three holes, or indentations. Pour the vanilla into the first hole, the vinegar into the second, and the vegetable oil into the third. Take the cup of water and pour it directly over everything in the pan. Stir all the ingredients together with your fork until well blended.

11) ..................

12)  Updated method

13) .................

14)  Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. 

15) Whisk the vanilla, vinegar, vegetable oil, and water in a separate bowl.

16)  Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring until thoroughly combined. 

17) Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

18) Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

19) Serve the cake right from the pan; warm from the oven, it's wonderful with a big glass of milk.

20)  Or, once cool, frost the cake with this simple chocolate frosting:

21)  Heat one and half cups chocolate chips with one half cup half & half until the chips melt.

22)  Stir until smooth, and pour/spread over the cake.



-----