Vintage Desserts From Hard Times

1. Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding
2. Poor Man's Cake (No Eggs, No Milk, No Butter)
3. Depression-Era Apple Crisp

Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (pantry staple)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional, pantry staple)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir often to prevent sticking.
3. Cook for 25–30 minutes, or until rice is tender and mixture is creamy.
4. Stir in vanilla (if using) and let cool slightly before serving.

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Poor Man’s Cake (No Eggs, No Milk, No Butter)

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, pinch of salt (pantry staples)
• 1 tsp baking soda + 1 1/2 cups flour (pantry staples)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, boil raisins, water, sugar, oil, and spices for 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
2. Add flour and baking soda, mix well.
3. Pour into a greased 8x8" pan.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes. Serve plain or dusted with powdered sugar.

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Depression-Era Apple Crisp

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 tsp cinnamon (pantry staple)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sliced apples in a greased baking dish.
2. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Sprinkle topping over apples.
4. Bake 30 minutes, or until apples are soft and topping is golden.