This Vanilla Depression Cake is something that many will remember grandma making when they were a kid. This delicious cake is famous for being so easy to make during the depression when things like milk, butter and eggs were scarce. Since it is still budget friendly and delicious, it has made an amazing comeback and is back on our radar as a fun and yummy dessert.
Since this cake does not use eggs, milk, or butter, it is naturally egg-free and dairy-free, so you can serve it to friends who have an egg allergy or are lactose intolerant. It is also a delicious cake to serve to your friends who follow a vegan diet.
The below recipe is for a double layer cake. If you are trying to avoid dairy, you can frost it with this Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting Recipe. If you can have dairy, then try this recipe for the Fluffiest Buttercream Frosting Ever!
Vanilla Depression Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 – 9 inch round cake pans.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl.
- Add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk until well-blended. Do not over beat. It will still turn out even if there are a few small lumps.
- Divide the batter between the 2 greased cake pans.
- Bake on a middle rack of oven for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
*You can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this cake gluten-free.
This delicious vanilla depression cake is so simple to make. The best of the best in cakes! You can easily make this a gluten-free recipe by using your favorite all purpose gluten-free flour, or add various flavors of icing to create a great cake that is unique to your preferences.
Looking for more depression era recipes? Try any of these delicious Egg-Free Crazy Cake Recipes or this Tomato Soup Cake Recipe. And here are some Depression Era Tips to help you save money on your food bill.
Printable Recipe Vanilla Depression Cake
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups water
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 - 9 inch round cake pans.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl.
- Add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk until well-blended. Do not over beat. It will still turn out even if there are a few small lumps.
- Divide the batter between the 2 greased cake pans.
- Bake on a middle rack of oven for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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I’ve been wanting to try this! I have everything but the vinegar. Sigh. I need to suck it up and just buy the giant jug! I’m always using it to clean. 🙂
Substitute lemon juice for vinegar. It’s the acid in them mixed with the baking soda that causes the cake to rise.
Do you think that apple cider vinegar would work?
Yes, though it may alter the flavor.
Is it the vinegar included in the first five ingredients or is it put into a well or both? I really want to try this!
It goes in one of the wells.
Ok so first off…this is the BEST cake. I have made it twice and it tastes incredible, is the perfect texture, and is SO EASY TO MAKE. I cannot say enough about it. 10/10, do recommend.
I just have to ask… why the wells for wet ingredients? What’s the difference between doing that and just pouring it in however? I have next to no baking experience and am just so curious!
It will turn out well even if you mix it all in a bowl and then pour it into a pan and let it bake.
Hi! This cake looks delicious!!
Have you ever tried making it with less sugar? 2 cups is a lot and it would definitely be too sweet for my taste, but I’m not sure how much I can cut off without altering the texture.
Thanks 🙂
Do you recommend using coconut oil for this recipe?
My mom now 88yrs old has made for years a depression cake that her mom always called a Wicky Wacky cake it is chocolate and wonderful. We always mixed it right in the cake pan never dirtied a bowl. It was always my dad’s birthday cake with a fudge frosting.
I just printed out this recipe to try it. Is there a particular frosting that is recommended?
Guys.
I used fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar
Strawberry puree instead of water.
Zested the lemon in with the flour.
It’s. So. Good!
I needed something dairy & chocolate free. Next time I won’t use the full 2 cups sugar either… but it’s so so so good!
Thasks for sharing!
Hi!! I’d love to make these this week for a toddlers birthday and she wants strawberry cupcakes! Is that what the strawberry Pitre did- made it pink and strawberry flavored!? Might be a dumb question but did you just put fresh strawbs in a food processor until it was liquid to purée them?
And does anyone know how long to bake these as cupcakes?
Thank you!!!!
The notes says to double the recipe for a two layer cake yet it says to divide the batter into two pans. Confused
That note was erroneous. You do not have to double the recipe to make this 2 layer cake.
Can this be made in a 9×13″ pan instead of the two 9″ cake pans?
Yes, it can.
If this is made in a 9×13 pan, how long do you think it should bake for? Thanks
Does anyone know?
Hi. Would I cut the recipe in half for a single layer cake?
Yes.
Can it be baked in a bunch pan?
I haven’t tried, but now I want to! I think it would work just fine.