{"id":1728050,"date":"2021-12-17T08:06:49","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T14:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1728050"},"modified":"2024-04-28T11:53:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-28T16:53:54","slug":"how-to-make-vintage-poor-mans-cake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-make-vintage-poor-mans-cake\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Vintage Poor Man’s Cake"},"content":{"rendered":"
Known as \"poor man's cake,\" this recipe was first created in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. At that time, dairy products were considered a luxury, so Americans sought recipes that could do without.<\/p>\r\nLater, during World War II, variations of this cake came about, often called \"war cake,\" that incorporated some<\/em> dairy, but still in modest quantities due to wartime food rationing. The recipe we're sharing is a World War II-era \"poor man's cake\" that was originally published in The Birmingham Eccentric<\/em> around 1941.\r\n Your best bet at finding a jar of this stuff is to make a batch of homemade watermelon rind preserves<\/a>\u00a0yourself!<\/p>\r\n\r\nWhat's in Poor Man's Cake?<\/h2>\r\nSince poor man's cake typically requires little to no butter or milk, it relies on other basic pantry ingredients<\/a> for flavor, tenderness and moisture, like brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon and cloves.\r\n\r\nIt also contains one special vintage ingredient you likely have never heard of (or tried): watermelon rind preserves.\r\n\r\nYep, you heard us. One of the main ingredients in poor man's cake is fruit preserves made from the rinds (that's the white part) or watermelon (similar to pickled watermelon rinds<\/a>).\r\n
What are watermelon rind preserves?<\/h3>\r\nThis old-fashioned recipe uses something that would otherwise be tossed to make candied watermelon pieces in a cinnamon-spiced syrup. It used to be more common in the United States; however, today it can be tricky to find them outside of small Amish markets or specialty food retailers<\/a>.\r\n
How to Make Poor Man's Cake<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThis moist vintage spice cake is made with limited dairy ingredients but loaded with plump raisins and crunchy walnuts.\r\n
Ingredients<\/h3>\r\n
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Tools You'll Need<\/h3>\r\n[embed_section]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1728287\" title=\"Stand Mixer\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.kohls.com\/product\/prd-25941\/kitchenaid-ksm150ps-artisan-5-qt-stand-mixer.jsp\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1728286\" title=\"Square Cake Pan\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/USA-Pan-Bakeware-Nonstick-Aluminized\/dp\/B002UNMZO4\/\" newtab=\"true\" product_name=\"USA Pan Bakeware Square Cake Pan, 9 inch, Nonstick & Quick Release Coating, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel\" product_price=\"19.95\" product_category=\"Kitchen\" product_retailer=\"Amazon.com\" content_rating=\"\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1725238\" title=\"Parchment Paper\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Reynolds-Kitchens-Parchment-SmartGrid-Non-Stick\/dp\/B00C37QN2C?th=1\" newtab=\"true\" product_name=\"Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll with SmartGrid, 45 Square Feet\" product_price=\"4.85\" product_category=\"Drugstore\" product_retailer=\"FITEX SPORT LTD\" content_rating=\"\" \/]\r\n\r\n[\/embed_section]\r\n\r\n \r\n
Directions<\/h3>\r\n
Step 1: Soak the raisins<\/h4>\r\nPlace the raisins into a small saucepan, add water to cover by one inch, and bring to a boil. Cook the raisins for about 10 minutes, or until plump, then drain and rinse with cool water.\r\n\r\nEditor's Tip: <\/em>Alternatively, pour boiling water over the raisins and let them soak overnight. Drain excess water before using.\r\n
Step 2: Whisk together dry ingredients<\/h4>\r\nIn a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and spices. Set aside.\r\n
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar<\/h4>\r\nNext, cream together the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, for 3-4 minutes, or until smooth and fluffy. (Here's how to cream butter and sugar<\/a> the right way.)\r\n
Step 3: Add wet ingredients<\/h4>\r\nAdd the watermelon rind preserves to the butter and sugar, stir to combine, then beat in the eggs.\r\n
Step 4: Combine<\/h4>\r\nGently stir the plumped raisins into the wet ingredients and gradually begin to add the dry ingredients to the mixer. Stir until no flour remains and the mixture is smooth. Take care not to overmix the cake<\/a>.\r\n
Step 5: Bake the cake<\/h4>\r\nPour the batter into a greased 9x9 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 375\u00b0F oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove, let cool, then slice and serve.\r\n
How to Serve Poor Man's Cake<\/h2>\r\nPoor man's cake may be sliced and served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy it plain or with an array of toppings.\r\n
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How to Store Poor Man's Cake<\/h2>\r\nLeftover poor man's cake may be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. You could also try freezing leftover poor man's cake. Here are our tips for freezing cake.<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t