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Wacky Chocolate Cake

This one is an old family favorite that came to us most recently from Karen's mom, but Karen thinks it's older than that.  It also just so happens to be vegan - convenient!

Recipe:
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar (less if using applesauce)
  • 2/3 cup cocoa
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup oil or applesauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups water

Procedure:

Sift all dry ingredients together.

Make three holes in the dry ingredients.

Put vanilla into one hole, oil into one hole and vinegar into one hole.

Pour cold water over all and mix well.

Pour the batter into a nine inch pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Pro Tips:

The original recipe calls for oil.  Karen hit on the idea of using applesauce several years ago now, and it tastes precisely the same... but with less oil.

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