Depression-Era Tomato Cake

• •1.5 cup all-purpose flour
• •0.8 cup granulated sugar
• •1 teaspoon baking soda
• •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• •0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• •0.3 teaspoon ground cloves
• •0.5 teaspoon salt
• •0.5 cup vegetable shortening, melted, or vegetable oil
• •0.8 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• •0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• •1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• •2 tablespoon milk or water (for glaze)
• •0.3 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper, ensuring the paper hangs over the sides for easy removal.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt until well combined.

3. 3

   In a separate medium bowl, combine the melted vegetable shortening (or vegetable oil), canned crushed tomatoes, and vanilla extract. Whisk until thoroughly mixed.

4. 4

   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon or spatula just until the flour mixture is moistened and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.

5. 5

   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

6. 6

   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

7. 7

   While the cake cools, prepare the simple glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more liquid a teaspoon at a time if the glaze is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it's too thin, until you reach a drizzling consistency.

8. 8

   Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Chef's Tips

• 💡Do not overmix the batter; overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• 💡For an even more rustic touch, you can omit the vanilla extract if it was a luxury item. The spices will carry the flavor.
• 💡Ensure the cake is completely cool before glazing. If the cake is warm, the glaze will melt and run off.
• 💡If using fresh tomatoes, peel and deseed them, then blend into a smooth puree before measuring. Canned crushed tomatoes are convenient and consistent.