Devil’s Food Cake Recipe
(9” round serves 10-12)
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Ingredients
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Cake Batter
Chocolate Frosting
Method
Cake Preparation
- 1
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- 2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- 3
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
- 5
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- 6
Incorporate Boiling Water
Carefully stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- 7
Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 8
Cool the Cakes
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting Preparation
- 9
Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cocoa powder together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream, until you reach the desired consistency.
- 10
Add Vanilla
Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- 11
Frost the Cake
Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.

