Homestead Cake
The no-eggs, no-butter, knock-your-socks-off cake that comes with a story.
Growing up, my mom called it Homestead Cake, and it was our favorite dessert. The year my little brother was 13, he even won a Blue Ribbon at the Alaska State Fair with this amazing recipe. It doesn’t need a mixer and can be stirred up in one bowl in less than five minutes.
Up on the mountain above Eagle River valley, we didn’t have electricity, and we hauled our water in Army surplus five-gallon water cans. Eventually, we had a small propane-fueled refrigerator to match the range, but not for a long time. Nobody wants to make a mess in the kitchen when you’re going to have to haul the water from a creek and heat it on the stove before washing the dishes.
This is a miracle recipe because it doesn’t require any refrigerated ingredients, and it only takes one bowl. You can grab what you need from the pantry, it’s cheaper than a cake mix, and I guarantee it tastes better.
And it’s even vegan!
Homestead Cake
This makes either an eight by eight-inch or nine by nine-inch cake. Or eight to ten cupcakes or a round cake pan. No need to grease the pan either.
Heat your oven to 350F or 177.5C
In one large bowl, stir together:
1 and 1/2 cup white flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Make three spoon-shaped indentations in the dry mixture. Put these ingredients separately in the three scooped out areas:
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Overall, pour one cup of water and stir until combined.
Pour into the cake pan and bake for 25–35 minutes. I suggest checking it at 25 minutes. It should be firm but not overdone.
Allow the cake to cool. Make a simple frosting with powdered sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, and either enough water or milk to be the consistency you like.
You can also eat it with just a dusting of powdered sugar or some non-dairy whipped topping.
This has been a favorite in my family now for over 60 years. Give it a try, and I bet it will become yours, too.