During World War I, women were urged to conserve food, let nothing go to waste, and to bake plenty of war cakes. War cakes were essentially spice cakes made without milk, butter, eggs, and/or white sugar. They were delicious cakes and the kids all loved them.
In 1917, war cake recipes became extremely popular, as reported in newspapers in the United States, Canada, and among our European allies.
Canadian Recipe
Let’s begin with this simple war cake recipe from Canada, circa 1917. The recipe calls for lard, but it can be replaced with shortening. Also, the cake is baked into loaves.
No Sugar, Eggs, or Milk
This thrifty war cake recipe from 1917 brags that it does not contain milk, eggs, or sugar. It is a simple applesauce and spice cake.
NYC Waldorf Astoria
In 1917, the Waldorf Astoria’s war cake was so popular that they released the recipe to the press to prevent so many people from writing to ask for the recipe.
Cake With Icing
Here is another war cake recipe, only this one also has an icing to go with it.
