I learned this at my grandmother's knee back in the 50's. I don't use the espresso powder, but sometimes use cold coffee instead of water. I never use salt. I have also left out the chocolate and used cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg for a spice cake for a friend who can't have chocolate. Very good, too. I'm going to try with some molasses in place of part of the sugar and ginger to see if it will be like gingerbread. Miracle Cake, Wonder Cake, Budget Cake. All kinds of names for it. Glad to learn the real history.

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