Great Depression Cake

Fourth grade around here is all about California history.  But sometimes history can get boring out of a textbook.  How do you get into the lives of California pioneers?  How do you take these 21st century kids and help them understand what life was like just 100 years ago?

So while we were studying The Great Depression, we decided we need a Great Depression Cake.  Put away the textbook and jump into the kitchen.  Here's how we pulled it together:

Great Depression Cake

(No eggs, milk, butter, or bowl?)

1 1/2 c. flour

3 Tbsp cocoa

1 c. sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp vanilla extract

5 Tbsp oil

1 c water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix all dry ingredients in a greased 8x8 pan.  (We did it this way, but next time, I'd just a bowl for mixing)

3. Make 3 "depressions" in dry ingredients (2 small, 1 large).  Pour vinegar and vanilla each in a small depression.  Pour oil in larger depression.  Pour water over all and mix until smooth.

4. Bake in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes.  Allow to cool and frost.

5. And it's super yummy too!  Enjoy!