Description
An indulgent, deeply chocolaty Old-Fashioned Devil’s Food Cake with a moist, tender crumb and rich cocoa flavor. This nostalgic dessert is layered with silky chocolate frosting and perfect for birthdays, holidays, or whenever a serious chocolate craving strikes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) hot brewed coffee
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time. Then mix in the sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Slowly stir in the hot brewed coffee. The batter will be thin — that’s expected.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and softened butter for a smooth, well-mixed batter.
- Don’t overmix after combining wet and dry ingredients — it keeps the cake tender.
- Hot coffee enhances the cocoa flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
- If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt.
- Cool the cake layers fully before adding frosting to avoid melting.
- Special Tools (affiliate links):
- 9-Inch Nonstick Cake Pans (Set of 2) – Ensures even layers
- Offset Spatula – For smooth, professional frosting
- Cooling Rack – Promotes even cooling
- Hand Mixer – Speeds up creaming and mixing
- Cake Leveler – For flat, even cake layers
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – For precise baking
- Mixing Bowls – Set of 3 – Great for prepping ingredients
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 g
Keywords: Devil’s Food Cake, moist chocolate cake, old-fashioned chocolate cake, classic dessert, homemade cake