Devils Food Cake

THE ONLY CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE YOU'LL EVER NEED! (DEVIL'S FOOD)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, coffee and milk and mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat 2 more minutes. Expect batter to be thin.
• Pour into a 9" x 13" greased and floured pan or 2- 9" round pans. Bake 9 x 13 pan for about 45 minutes or 9" pans for about 30 minutes. Cool in pans for about 15 minutes and then cool completely on racks.
• While cake is cooling make the icing: Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan and cook over low heat until thick, whisking constantly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• In a medium bowl, beat butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add chilled milk and flour mixture and beat for 10 minutes. Frost cooled cake and enjoy! The frosting sounds intimidating, but it is worth it! By the way, for some reason, we prefer this cake chilled, right out of the refrigerator. The rich chocolate and cool frosting just seem to taste best this way.

OLD-FASHIONED DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Spray two 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick baking pray. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper. Then spray the parchment paper with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter at medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Gradually add in both sugars, one at a time, and beat until the sugar has been incorporated into the butter. Then increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. You may need to stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl once in a while to ensure no butter is getting stuck.
• Add in the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
• In a spouted measuring cup, combine the oil and sour cream.
• On the lowest speed setting available, add the flour in three additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture, in two addition, beating until just combined! You should still see the lightest trail of dry ingredients when you stop the mixer.
• Pour in the hot coffee and let the mixture sit, undisturbed, for 30 seconds. Then, using a rubber spatula, gently stir until the batter is just evenly combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans (around 850 grams per pan) and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
• Bake in preheated oven for 38 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Place the cakes, in the pans, on a wire rack and cool for 20 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Finely chop the chocolate using a large chef's knife. Place the chopped chocolate into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• In a small saucepan heat the cream and corn syrup over medium-high heat until the mixture comes just short of a rolling boil. Remove the pan from heat and pour over the chopped chocolate.
• Allow the mixture to sit, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. Then, using a rubber spatula or metal spoon, gently stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla.
• With the mixer on medium-speed, add in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition, and not adding more until the first addition has been completely incorporated into the frosting. Beat in the salt.
• Refrigerate the frosting, loosely covered, for about 1 hour, or until it's firm enough to spread. Frosting may be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored, covered, in the fridge. You'll need to let it come to room temperature before using.
• Using a long, serrated knife, slice off the domed top of each cake layer so it is smooth and even. Then slice each cake in half horizontally, so that you have 4 even layers. Set all of the cake scraps aside, we'll use those later to decorate!
• Place one cake layer on a large plate or cake stand. Spread 1/2 cup of the frosting on top of the cake, covering it completely. Then top with another cake layer, and repeat the layering process, ending with the last cake layer on top. Spread all remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
• Using your hands, crumble up the remaining cake scraps until they're in fine crumbs. Pat the crumbs gently around the sides of the cake. You might have leftovers, which you may discard or enjoy as a snack!
• Allow the cake to set for 20 minutes before slicing. Then serve, or store, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving!

THE BEST DEVILS FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease and lightly flour (2) 9-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
• Stir in coffee, oil, and buttermilk and mix just until combined.
• Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Pour batter into prepared baking pans.
• Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes. (may need more or less time)
• Let cakes cool in pans until pans are cool enough to touch, and then remove cakes and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
• While cakes are cooling, prepare frosting by creaming the butter with a mixer in a medium bowl.
• Slowly add powdered sugar until the mixture is thick and combined.
• Mix in heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract.
• Mix on medium speed, for 2-3 minutes or until frosting is light and fluffy.
• Frost cooled cakes using an offset spatula.
• Store cakes in an airtight cake container.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• To make the frosting: Put the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate, move the bowl gently to let the cream settle. Set the mixture aside until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Cover the surface of the frosting with plastic wrap. Set aside and let set up at room temperature, about 2 hours.
• To make the cake: Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with a circle of parchment or wax paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high and slowly add the sugar. Continue beating until light and smooth, about 4 minutes. Turn the mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat at medium speed for 1 minute more. (Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl again, if needed.) With the mixer running at medium-low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 1 minute between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Combine the water and milk in a saucepan and bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• With the mixer at low speed, add the flour mixture, about a 1/4 cup at a time. Carefully pour the hot liquid into the batter. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a large rubber spatula, finish combining the batter until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Lightly drop each pan onto the counter to settle the batter.
• Set the pans on the middle rack in the oven. Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans and the center springs back when touched lightly, about 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool the cakes, in the pans, on a rack for 10 minutes. Turn the cake layers out of the pans and cool on the rack. (If not assembling the cake right away, wrap the layers in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 1 day, or freeze for up to 2 months.)
• Assemble the Devil's Food Cake. Place 1 cake layer upside-down on a cake stand or flat plate. Scoop about 1/3 of the icing onto the center of the layer. Using a large, offset spatula, spread the icing evenly over the layer to the edges. Place the other cake layer, rounded-side up, on top. Evenly spread half of the remaining icing over the top, spreading any excess icing down the sides. Spread the remaining icing around the sides of the cake. Use the tip of the offset spatula to make a swirling pattern in the icing. Serve. Store under a cake dome or loosely wrapped with plastic, at room temperature, for up to 2 days.
• Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, GP. All rights reserved

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch metal pan with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper so it hangs over the sides of the pan and spray the parchment with nonstick spray. Set aside.
• Whisk the boiling water and cocoa powder together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine the sugar, flours, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Whisk the oil, sour cream, eggs and egg yolks in a large pourable vessel. Add the oil mixture to the cocoa and water mixture and slowly whisk to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture over 30 seconds. Continue to beat on low speed for another 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat on low speed until the batter is smooth, 10 to 15 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the cake springs back when pressed and reaches an internal temperature of 205 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes, and then remove cake from the pan and cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
• Beat the butter and mayonnaise in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on high, until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add the melted chocolate. Continue mixing on low speed until all of the chocolate is incorporated, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Turn off the mixer and add one-third of the sugar. Mix on low to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Repeat until all of the sugar has been incorporated. Add the salt and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and lightens slightly in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 hours or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before using chilled frosting.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour one 9x13 inch pan or two 9 inch round pans.
• In a small pan melt the butter or margarine with the unsweetened chocolate. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Cream together the sugar and the eggs until light in color. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs and temper mixture by beating well (so you don't end up with scrambled eggs!) Add 1 cup boiled water (still warm) and blend well. Mixture will be very liquid.
• Mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this mixture to the chocolate mixture and blend well.
• Mix together the vinegar and the milk and stir into the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan(s).
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cake divides well for filling with mousse, or ganache, or black forest fillings. The best clue to this cake being nearly done is that you will start to smell the aroma of chocolate filling your house!

MOIST DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange two racks in center of oven. Butter three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment. Dust bottoms and sides of pans with cocoa powder; tap out any excess. Sift cocoa into a medium bowl, and whisk in boiling water. Set aside to cool.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on low speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down sides twice. Beat in vanilla. Drizzle in eggs, a little at a time, beating between each addition until the batter is no longer slick, scraping down the sides twice.
• In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk milk into reserved cocoa mixture. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour and cocoa mixtures to the batter, a little of each at a time, starting and ending with flour mixture.
• Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center of each layer comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pans for even baking. Transfer layers to wire racks; let cool, 15 minutes. Turn out cakes, and return to racks, tops up, until completely cool.
• Remove parchment from bottoms of cakes. Reserve the prettiest layer for the top. Place one cake layer on a serving platter; spread 1 1/2 cups chocolate frosting over the top. Add the second cake layer, and spread with another 1 1/2 cups frosting. Top with third cake layer. Cover outside of cake with the remaining 3 cups frosting. Serve.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and lightly butter two deep 20cm cake tins and line the bases with baking paper.
• Put the butter and chocolate into a small heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water and heat until melted. Alternatively, put the bowl in the microwave and melt, heating on bursts of no more than 30 seconds to prevent the chocolate burning. Take the bowl from the heat and set aside.
• In a large bowl, sift in the flours, baking powder, bicarb, salt and brown sugar - the sifting will help to break up any lumps in the sugar. Put the cocoa powder in a jug and pour over the hot coffee, whisking to prevent lumps. Pour the coffee mixture, buttermilk, eggs and chocolate mixture into the flour bowl, and whisk to form a smooth batter. Divide the batter evenly between the tins and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cakes spring back to a light touch or a skewer inserted in the middles comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tins for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the classic fudge frosting, put the butter into a large bowl and use electric beaters to beat on medium speed for 5 minutes or until very creamy. Add in the icing sugar and mix until fully combined. In a jug, mix together the cocoa powder with 5 tbsp of just-boiled water, stirring until smooth. Mix in the soured cream and then pour into the butter mixture. It may look a little curdled but don't worry, it will come together when mixed. Scrape in the melted chocolate and beat for a few minutes until smooth and silky. Set aside to thicken slightly and then use it to frost the cake.
• To make the Swiss meringue buttercream, put the sugars and egg whites into a large heatproof bowl, set over a pan of simmering water and whisk gently until the sugars have dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch - to tell if it is finished, rub a little of the mixture between your fingers, and if there are any grains of sugar, keep heating until the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and use electric beaters to whisk for 7-10 minutes or until stiff peaks form and the mixture has cooled to room temperature. While this is whisking, put the cocoa powder in a small bowl and pour over 5 tbsp of just-boiled water, mixing together to form a thick paste. When the meringue is cooled, slowly add in the butter, a couple pieces at a time, whisking to combine. When the butter is combined the mixture should have formed a buttercream-like texture. Mix in the cocoa paste, vanilla and chocolate, and whisk until fully combined.
• To assemble the cake, put one of the sponges onto a serving platter and top with a layer of frosting or buttercream. Put the second sponge on top and spread the remaining frosting or buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. Kept covered, the cake will keep for three to four days.

HOMEMADE DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler, combine cocoa and 1 cup sugar. Beat 1 egg; add to double boiler. Add 1 cup milk; cook until thick and smooth. Set aside to cool. , Meanwhile, cream shortening and remaining sugar in a large bowl. Add remaining eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. , Sift together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with remaining milk to creamed mixture. Add vanilla and cooled cocoa mixture; beat thoroughly. Pour into two greased 8- or 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. Frost with your favorite seven-minute or fudge icing.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 C.
• In a mixing bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, instant coffee, and hot water. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together.
• Add the butter, oil and the vanilla extract, eggs and coffee mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two greased 8-inch/20cm round pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Take the pans out and put them on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes, before turning the cakes out to cool.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180'C/Gas mark 4. Grease and base line 2 x 8inch (20cm) sandwich tins with greased greaseproof paper.
• Whisk the cocoa into the water until smooth. Set aside. Place the margarine in a bowl and gradually whisk in the sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Lightly whisk the eggs, then gradually whisk into the creamed mixture until evenly blended.
• Sift the flour with baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and fold into the creamed mixture alternatively with the cocoa and water.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and level the surface. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until well risen and firm to the touch. Allow to cool in the tins for a few minutes, then turn out and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• For the American frosting, place the sugar in a large, heavy-based pan with the water and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil to 115'C (240'F) as registered on a sugar thermometer.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites in a large deep bowl until stiff. Allow the bubbles to settle, then slowly pour the hot syrup onto the egg whites, whisking constantly. When all the sugar syrup has been added, continue whisking until the mixture stands in peaks and just starts to become matt around the edges.
• Sandwich the cakes together with a little of the frosting. Spread the remainder over the top and the sides, using a palette knife. Pull the frosting up into peaks all over. Work quickly as the icing sets rapidly. Leave to set in a cool place, but not in the fridge.

DEVILS FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Sift flour, baking powder, soda, cocoa, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in the sugar.
• Lightly beat the eggs, milk and vanilla.
• Add to the mixing bowl, then add the oil and coffee.
• Beat until a smooth batter is formed.
• Pour batter into a greased and lined 23cm square tin.
• The batter will be thin.
• Bake at 180°C degrees for about 1 hour or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Leave in tin 5 minutes before turning on to a cooling rack.
• When cold dust with icing sugar or ice with your favourite frosting.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Set a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 325ºF. Spray a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper so it hangs over the sides of the pan like a sling, and spray the parchment with nonstick spray. Set aside.
• Whisk the boiling water and cocoa powder together in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Combine the sugar, flours, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Whisk the oil, sour cream, eggs, and egg yolks in a large pourable vessel, like a large measuring cup. Add the oil mixture to the cocoa and water mixture and slowly whisk to combine. The mixture will be thick.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture over 30 seconds. Continue to beat on low speed for another 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat on low speed until the batter is smooth, 10 to 15 seconds.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the cake springs back when pressed and reaches an internal temperature of 205ºF, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, and then remove cake from the pan and cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
• Beat the butter and mayonnaise in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add the melted chocolate. Continue mixing on low speed until all of the chocolate is incorporated, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Turn off the mixer and add 1/3 of the sugar. Mix on low to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Repeat until all of the sugar has been incorporated. Add the salt and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and lightens slightly in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 hours, or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before using chilled frosting.

RED DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH VANILLA FROSTING

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
• Sift together granulated sugar and cocoa powder.
• In mixing bowl, blend the sugar and cocoa with melted shortening.
• Add beaten eggs; stir to mix well. Blend in hot coffee and food coloring.
• Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; blend well.
• In a cup, combine buttermilk or the buttermilk substitute and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
• Add the flour mixture to the first mixture, alternating with the buttermilk (or its substitute) and vanilla.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pans and spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool the cakes in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes to racks to cool completely.
• While the cake cools, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. Increase the mixer to medium speed and beat in 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk, as needed, to make a creamy, spreadable frosting.
• Spread some frosting on one of the rounds.
• Place the other round on top of the first round and then frost the top and sides of the cake.

NIGELLA'S DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line the bottoms of two 20cm/8in sandwich tins with baking parchment and butter the sides.
• Put the cocoa and the dark muscovado sugar into a large bowl and pour in the boiling water. Whisk to mix, then set aside.
• Cream the butter and caster sugar together in a separate bowl, beating well until pale and fluffy; I find this easiest with a freestanding mixer, but by hand wouldn't kill you.
• Stir the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda together in another bowl and set aside for a moment.
• Dribble the vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar - mixing all the while - then crack in one egg, quickly followed by a scoop of the flour mixture, then the second egg. Keep mixing after each addition.
• Incorporate the rest of the flour mixture little by little, then finally mix and fold in the cocoa mixture, scraping the bowl well with a spatula.
• Divide this fabulously chocolatey batter between the two prepared tins and put in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Take the tins out and leave them on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes, then turn the cakes out and set aside to cool.
• As soon as the cakes are in the oven, get started on your frosting. Put the water, muscovado sugar and butter into a pan over a low heat until melted.
• When this mixture begins to bubble, take the pan off the heat and add the chopped chocolate, swirling the pan so that all the chocolate is hit with heat, then leave for a minute to melt. Once melted, whisk until smooth and glossy.
• Set the frosting aside for about one hour, whisking now and again - when you're passing the pan - by which time the cakes will be cooled, and ready for the frosting.
• Set one of the cooled cakes, with its top side facing downwards, onto a cake stand or plate, and spread with about one-third of the frosting. Top that with the second cake, regular way up, and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides, swirling away with your spatula. You can go for a smooth look, but I never do and probably couldn't.