Real Devil'S Food Cake
Rich, moist devil's food cake with deep chocolate flavor, perfect for celebrations or indulgent desserts, appealing to chocolate lovers and those seeking a classic, decadent treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start oven at 375°F (moderate heat).
- Grease bottoms and sides of three 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour.
- Sift cake flour; measure it carefully and sift again with baking soda and salt.
- Cream butter or margarine in a bowl until soft and airy.
- Add brown sugar gradually and beat until well combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating hard after each addition.
- Place unsweetened chocolate in a measuring cup and melt over boiling water.
- Add melted chocolate to batter and mix thoroughly.
- Sift about one-third of the flour into the batter and stir well.
- Add one-third of the sour milk or buttermilk and mix.
- Repeat the flour and buttermilk additions, ending with flour.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add boiling water and mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and turn cakes upside-down onto a cake rack.
- Spread frosting between layers and on top.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar. If you don't have sour milk, you can substitute regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice added to it. Make sure to sift the flour thoroughly to avoid lumps in your batter. Also, ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
Serving Suggestions
This Devil's Food Cake pairs beautifully with a rich chocolate frosting or a creamy vanilla buttercream. Serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast. It also goes well with a side of fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. For an even more indulgent dessert, consider serving with a slice of Mable'S Favorite.
Storage & Reheating
Once the cake has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it longer, refrigerate the cake, but make sure to wrap it well to prevent it from drying out. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds for a warm treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Real Devil'S Food Cake contains roughly 433 calories, with 5g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1054mg per serving (46% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cocoa powder instead of unsweetened chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute cocoa powder for unsweetened chocolate. Use 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder mixed with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter for each square of chocolate. This will help achieve a similar richness in flavor.
What if I don't have buttermilk?
If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. This works well as a substitute in the recipe.
How can I tell when the cake is done baking?
To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready. If it comes out wet with batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).