my first attempt at cake from scratch. makes an awesome birthday cake. =D


Devil's Food Chocolate Cake
this one is structured a little funny, but it worked out really well, if a little heavy. recipe from the Joy of Cooking.

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

over a double-boiler, combine the following into a custard:
2-4 oz unsweetened chocolate (i used 4)
1/2 c milk
1 c light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg yolk
remove from heat when thickened.

sift together in one bowl:
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

in another bowl:
beat 1/2 c butter until soft
add and cream until light:
1 c sifted sugar
beat in, one at a time:
2 egg yolks

add the flour to the butter mixture in 3 parts and stir until smooth after each addition, alternating with the following mixture:
1/4 c water
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
stir in the chocolate custard.

whip until stiff but not dry:
2 egg whites
fold them lightly into the cake batter. bake in greased pans about 25 minutes.


Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
amazing icing. very decadent.

6 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 c cocoa powder
2 2/3 c powdered sugar
1/3 c milk
1 tsp vanilla

cream the butter in a mixing bowl. Add cocoa and sugar alternately with milk. beat to spreading consistency adding more milk if needed. blend in vanilla.