How do you know if you are making a Depression Cake? This type of cake contains little or ,no eggs, sugar, butter or milk. Depression cakes were commonly made during the Great Depression in the United States since some ingredients were either not readily available or much too costly for the average family.

While Depression cakes varied from home to home, most included some sort of spices. Here is a typical recipe:

* 2 cups packed brown sugar
* 2 cups hot water
* 2 tablespoons bacon grease
* 2 cups raisins
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan combine the brown sugar, hot water, bacon grease, and raisins, over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Add the ingredients from the saucepan and mix until well blended. Divide evenly between the two prepared pans.
4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.