1930's Applesauce Cake (Depression Era Cake)

This delicious depression era cake calls for just 1 tablespoons of butter. It's also called Poor Man's Cake. It's a good cake for anyone who wants a reduced fat cake, or one that does not contain eggs. If you don't have applesauce on hand you can substitute 2/3 cup of coffee... can't beat that one for economy. I love these old recipes, it's a glimpse into the past, this one was published in the Los Angeles Times, food section about 20 years ago.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter or 1  tablespoon margarine
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup corn syrup, dark
• 2  cups flour, all purpose
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1⁄2 teaspoon clove, ground
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 2⁄3 cup applesauce (or substitute cold coffee in equal amount)

Directions

1. Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl, stir in corn syrup and set aside; sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
2. Dissolve the soda in applesauce;(or coffee if using) add flour mixture and applesauce mixture alternately to creamed mixture.
3. Pour into greased 13X9-inch pan; bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until cake tests done.