Devil’s Food Layer Cake

Rated 4.8 out of 5
(17)
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The secret behind this moist, rich chocolate cake is mixing the cocoa powder—use natural, not Dutch process—with boiling water, which allows the chocolate flavor to blossom and adds extra moisture to the crumb. This time-honored favorite, layered with velvety chocolate frosting, makes the ultimate cake for a birthday or other celebration. 

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

For the cake: 

  • 1 cup boiling water 
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder 
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
  • 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 
  • 2 cups granulated sugar 
  • 10 Tbs. (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 
  • 3 eggs 
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract  
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 
  •   

For the chocolate frosting: 

  • 3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar 
  • 1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder  
  • 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract  
  • 1 cup heavy cream, or as needed  

Directions

To make the cake, preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper. Dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.

In a small heatproof bowl, whisk together the boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth. Let cool completely.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat together the granulated sugar and butter on medium-high speed until the mixture is light in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the vanilla and the cooled cocoa mixture.

Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat until smooth, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.

Bake the cakes until they begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the inside of each pan to release the cake. Invert the pans onto the racks, lift off the pans and peel the parchment paper off the cakes. Turn the cakes right side up and let cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the chocolate frosting: In a bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder. Using the mixer, beat in the butter on low speed until it is crumbly. Beat in the vanilla, then gradually beat in enough of the cream to make a spreadable frosting.

Place 1 cake layer, bottom side up, on a cake plate. Using an icing spatula, spread the top of the layer with a generous 1/2 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer, top side down, on top of the first layer. Frost the top and then the sides with the remaining frosting. Slice the cake into thick wedges and serve. Serves 10.

Variation: For chocolate cupcakes, line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups. Bake until the tops spring back when pressed in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool before frosting.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Comfort Food, by Rick Rodgers (Oxmoor House, 2009).

Rated 5 out of 5 by from Chocolate lover’s dream I enjoyed making this for my birthday but I enjoyed eating it even more. I had a family gathering and the cake disappeared in a New York minute. Not dry at all. Another brilliant recipe!
Date published: 2023-09-05
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Truly the best chocolate cake I've ever had. I thought I'd had good chocolate cake until I had tasted this cake. There is no comparison to any other chocolate cake I've ever had. Hands down, this was at a whole new level. I didn't know chocolate cake could be so good. This is what chocolate cake was meant to be!!! I did add a layer of smashed raspberries between layers (on top of the icing), and a raspberry heart for a Valentine's Day Birthday. Memorable!!
Date published: 2021-03-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Delicious Cake This cake is amazing...even without the frosting. Within 2 hours all the cupcakes were gone. Everyone loved them. Very moist. I will make this again in 2 days for a birthday party.
Date published: 2020-11-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Amazing I am not a cake person but this recipe is positively addictive
Date published: 2018-03-29
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Delicious and Easy to Make I have been on the search for an easy chocolate cake recipe for years. This recipe was really simple and quick. It was delicious and moist, but I felt that there was something missing. I tried a similar recipe before with hot coffee instead of boiling water, but that one was not great. The texture was great. Flavor was good. I really liked the frosting. When I sampled it initially, I was not too crazy about it and wished that I had used my favorite frosting recipe instead. However, it really goes well with the cake. Definitely a keeper till I find my "perfect" chocolate cake recipe.
Date published: 2017-02-03
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Most favorite chocolate cake This cake was easy to make and even easier to eat it was delicious
Date published: 2016-10-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from BEST. CHOCOLATE. CAKE. EVER I made this recipe like 4-5 times already and it never dissapointed me. the cake texture is so soft and moist (Just like sprinkles cupcakes). Give it a try and you will fall inlove this chocolate cake like i do.
Date published: 2016-05-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Moist cake My boys are chocolate lovers, and this recipe is definitely the best one ever. I always get happy, smily faces whenever I make the cake.
Date published: 2015-04-29
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