Crazy Cake

This is an awesome cake!  This is the first cake that I learned to make.  It is from the Depression Era when money was tight and supplies were limited.   It does well for people who like chocolate but are unable to eat it due to medical or allergy restrictions since cocoa is used not chocolate.

1 1/2 c flour
3 T cocoa
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp white vinegar
5 T cooking oil
1 c cold water

Sift first five ingredients into an 8 inch square greased pan.  Make three depressions in four mixture and add vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the second and oil in the third.  Pour cold water over all and stir thoroughly.  DO NOT OVER MIX!  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Notes:  This cake really needs to be mixed by hand.  A hand mixer or a stand mixer over mixes the batter and kills the leavening process between the baking powder and vinegar. 

Also, the dry ingredients really do need to be sifted.  This distributes the baking powder evenly and without lumps.  Baking powder lumps DO NOT dissolve during the baking process and taste icky if you bite into one.

The next time I make this I am going to scoop the batter into cupcake papers.  Will let you know how it turns out.

Serving suggestions:  Growing up this was served with sliced strawberries and whipped cream or ice cream.