The Brooklyn Blackout Cake Helped the WWII War Effort

Food has a way of connecting us, even in the darkest of times. During World War II, the Brooklyn blackout cake was much more than just a decadent testament to dark chocolate. It was a bright spot in uncertain times. While “bright” may be more of a metaphor for this dark, baked dessert, it was a call of solidarity for the war effort. Additionally, it was a treat while the world was falling apart. However, the fate of this beloved cake was a bit ill-fated. This is because the official recipe for Brooklyn blackout cake has been lost. This is because the stores selling them went belly up.

The History of the Brooklyn Blackout Cake

The Brooklyn blackout cake was birthed during World War II at a popular bakery chain known as Ebinger's. New York City held blackout drills to protect ships at the Brooklyn Navy Yard from being seen by German U-boats and bombers, though aerial threats thankfully never materialized. The citizens of NYC made sure the lights were off throughout the city, making the city as dark as Ebinger’s famous chocolate cake in Brooklyn, known for its color and rich flavor. Ebinger’s Bakery, started in 1898 by George and Catherine Ebinger on Flatbush Avenue, became famous for its blackout cake. The iconic dessert has three layers of devil’s food cake, dark chocolate pudding, chocolate frosting, and a crumb topping. Once WWII came to an end, Ebinger's blackout cake remained popular not only in New York but spread throughout the Midwest. In fact, darker chocolate cakes would simply be called blackout cakes post-WWII in the Midwest as it became a generic term for such.

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Ebinger's Bankruptcy

At its height, there were over 50 locations under the Ebinger's brand. You could find stores throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County. However, in 1972, the company declared bankruptcy leading to a sudden closure of all of its stores, taking with it the recipe of its beloved cake. The problems for Ebinger’s weren’t too complicated—fewer customers while also taking on too many expenses. Cracking the Brooklyn blackout cake recipe is still a bit of a mystery but it’s crystal clear that such business conditions are a recipe for disaster. Expansion would lead Ebinger’s to build a plant in Melville, leading to higher expenses as a result. At the same time, the company’s customer base was moving from the metro areas of NYC and heading for suburbia. Sadly, this would mean less foot traffic and fewer sales all while needing to cover its plant’s expenses. Unable to overcome these issues, the chain shuttered. Many bakers have tried to recreate the Brooklyn blackout cake recipe. Unfortunately, no one has been able to match the original taste.

Where to Buy a Brooklyn Blackout Cake?