Sugar Free Chocolate Depression Cake

Sugar Free Chocolate Depression Cake is a simple and delicious chocolate dessert made without eggs or sugar.

The depression cake is also known a "wacky cake" or a "war cake" as it was a popular recipe during the great depression and leading into World War II when ingredients were hard to buy or rationed.

Easy Depression Cake Recipe.

 
This is a chocolate cake recipe made without dairy products or sugar.

Despite what this cake does not have in it, this is a moist and flavorful cake that almost always turns out perfect.

Did you try my Sugar Free Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe?

That sheet cake recipe is another easy and delicious dessert idea. Both this depression cake and that sheet cake are simple and tasty cake ideas when you are baking for a crowd.

To make this recipe you will need a square baking dish. You can find square baking dishes with lids (storage!) here.

What to know about Depression Cake.

Tips for making a depression cake.

This cake recipe works best when the recipe is followed as directed. The ingredients should also be measured and added in order of the steps in the directions.

More helpful tips for you.

1. I often like to double prep the baking dish for a recipe such as this one. Double prepping can be as little as greasing and then dusting the dish with a small amount of flour or cocoa powder.
2. When combining the wet and dry ingredients together it is a good idea to mix until just combined rather than over-mixing the batter. If you have a few small lumps they will most likely bake out.
3. The frosting in this recipe is optional but, delicious just the same. Make sure that your cake has fully cooled before frosting your cake however.

How to store Wacky or Depression cake.

This cake should be stored in an airtight container. If properly stored, this cake should keep for about three days at room temperature of up to a few months if frozen (simply thaw to room temperature).

Here are some similar recipes that you may also like.

• Sugar Free Strawberry Icebox Cake
• 5 Ingredient Sugar Free Cream Cheese Frosting
• Sugar Free Ombre Layered Cake
• Vanilla Sheet Cake with no added sugar.
• Sugar Free Carrot Cake
• Sugar Free Lemon Sheet Cake Bars

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About this wacky cake recipe

 
This is a quick and easy recipe made with few ingredients. To make this recipe we will first combine together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Then we will combine together the ingredients before baking the cake.

 
How to serve chocolate depression cake.

• Serve this chocolate cake frosted as directed below with a glass of milk or cup of coffee on the side.
• Top this cake with slices of strawberries before serving.
• Add a scoop of Sugar Free Vanilla Ice Cream on top or beside each slice of cake upon serving.

Ingredients needed to make chocolate depression cake with frosting.

• Flour. All purpose flour was used to make my cake. If you try an alternative flour, it should measure 1:1 with all purpose for best results.
• Sugar Alternative. Select a granular sugar alternative that measures like sugar and that can also be baked with.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. Use a basic unsweetened cocoa powder that has no added ingredients in it.
• Salt. Basically a pinch of salt is added for a bit of balance.
• Baking Soda. Added for leavening.
• White Vinegar. This helps to make the cake 'fluffy', when combined with baking soda, and moist when combined with the gluten in the flour.
• Oil. Use a neutral oil such as vegetable oil.
• Water. Coffee that has been cooled can alternatively be used with some of the water or instead of water.

Ingredients needed to make depression cake frosting.

• Butter. The butter should be melted.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. To make the frosting chocolate.
• Sugar Free Powdered Sugar. Granular alternative will not work in this recipe.
• Whole milk. To keep this frosting more 'authentic' to the cake, you can try using water instead.
• Vanilla Extract. Added for flavor.

Expert Tip 👉 The vinegar that is used in this recipe is necessary to help the cake rise. However, it is unlikely that you will actually taste it in the baked cake.

 

How to make a Sugar Free Chocolate Depression Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 325 and prep a square baking dish for nonstick. My cake was made in an 8X8" baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine together the flour, sugar alternative, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Once you have broken up any lumps and combined the ingredients you can set this bowl aside.
3. Next, in another bowl, combine together the vinegar, water, and oil.
4. Pour the wet ingredients in the second bowl over the dry ingredients in the first bowl. Mix until just combined and there are no or just a few lumps remaining.
5. Transfer the ingredients to the prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
6. To make the chocolate frosting, simply beat together the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Expert Tip 👉 You can adjust the consistency of the frosting as needed. Simply add a small amount of additional sugar free powdered sugar if the frosting is too watery or a small amount of additional liquid if it is too thick.
 

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The Recipe Card for Sugar Free Chocolate Depression Cake

Sugar Free Chocolate Depression Cake, aka wacky cake, is a simple and delicious dessert recipe made without eggs or sugar.

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