"Depression Cake" by Representative Frank Pallone

When a dark time overtakes the country, whether it be a recession, global pandemic or a healthy mix of both, we home-chefs get creative. We can’t always find everything at the store that we need, so we substitute; we opt for cheaper goods; we make do with what we have.

In American history, perhaps no time exemplifies this spirit more than The Great Depression, and that’s where our recipe comes from, which I am dragging — kicking and screaming — to the present: Representative Frank Pallone’s Depression Cake.

Chef Frank Pallone

Democratic Congressman from New Jersey

As always, I followed the recipe word for word from the Armenia-loving congressman, no alterations:

INGREDIENTS

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter or margarine

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 cup raisins

2 cups strong coffee

2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water

4 cups flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1) In a large pot, mix sugar, butter, salt, spices and raisins.

We’ve made raisin-heavy dishes before on Cookin’ with Congress, but this seems even more raisin-forward — you can already tell they’re going to be the real mouth candy in this dish.

You’ll also notice there are no eggs or milk — that’s why it’s called “Depression Cake.” During The Great Depression, eggs and milk were at a premium, not to mention highly perishable, so folks made due with what they had. They worked with flour, sugar, baking soda and spices to make a decidedly heavier, heartier type of cake. So, plan on eating this cake for a month or more.

2) Pour in strong coffee (you may use instant). Bring mixture to a boil. Continue to boil for 5 minutes.

I used a strong, dark-roast, pitch-black Colombian coffee that I usually save for when we my parents visit.

3) Cool completely and add baking soda and water mixture.

Be patient here! I know you want your raisins, but it’s better to follow directions to the tee with baking, as a little chemistry mistake can ruin a cake.

4) Add flour, 1 cup at a time. Mix well.

You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free all-purpose flour, but that would also defile Frank Pallone’s original recipe, which I would never do.

5) Pour into greased 9” x 13” pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Beautiful! In less than an hour, all your greatest desires will be fulfilled.

Upon tasting Frank Pallone’s hearty cake, you can’t help but be reminded of 1980s-style South Beach diet treats; if you’ve ever looked at a donut and then opted for the bran muffin, you’ll know the feeling. With a crusty top and a crumbly everything-else, this Depression Cake is more like a dense, destructible bread than a true cake. And that’s what makes it special — it has the flavor of health food and the caloric content of a thick dessert.

A victory for all.

Verdict:

This thing crumbled so fast I had to use a spoon. Dry, raisin-y, tough — all words you might use to describe the people in the Great Depression also apply to this cake. You live in relative abundance; please remember that and do not bake this cake.