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August 12, 2011
Devil's Food Cake
Traditional Cakes & Pies
Prep time:
18 minutesbaking time:
30 to 35 minutes“Grandma said it's called 'devil's food' because the baking soda reacts with the cocoa to give the cake a devilishly red color.”
Ingredients
Serves 16
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon each ground cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 1 (16-ounce) package confectioners' sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2
Combine 1/2 cup cocoa and 1/2 cup hot water in a small bowl and mix well. Dissolve baking soda in the buttermilk in a small bowl. Combine flour, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl and mix well.
3
Combine granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4
Add cocoa mixture gradually, beating continually. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture. Mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Spoon into prepared cake pans.
5
Bake until layers test done, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in cake pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
6
Combine remaining butter, confectioners' sugar, remaining cocoa, remaining vanilla and milk in a medium bowl. Beat on low speed until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.
Variations(0)
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Grandma's Secret Tips!
Grandma's Secret Tips!
My grandmother taught my mom and me that if you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can use an equal amount of plain yogurt. She has even combined a scant cup of sour cream with 2 tablespoons of milk and used that instead.
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