Devil's Food Cake

Ingredients

• 4 tbs cocoa
• 1 C and 3 tbs sugar
• ¼ lb butter or ½ C shortening
• 1 C flour
• ½ C milk
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cream of tartar

Directions

1. Make Cocoa Base: In a heavy-bottomed pan over low heat, combine 4 tbs cocoa and 3 tbs water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, stir in milk, and set aside.
2. Prep Dry: In a separate bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, and salt; set aside.
3. Prep Pans: Grease and flour two 8" or 9" round pans or one 9x13" pan.
4. Cream Base: Cream butter or shortening with ½ C sugar until light.
5. Add Yolks: Beat in vanilla, then add egg yolks one at a time, beating until light.
6. Combine: Stir cocoa mixture into the butter mixture, then mix in the dry ingredients until smooth.
7. Whip Whites: In a clean bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Gradually add remaining ½ cup sugar and beat until stiff but glossy (not dry).
8. Fold: Gently fold egg whites into the batter. Pour into prepared pan(s).
9. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, until sides pull slightly from the pan and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Finish: Cool, then frost with chocolate buttercream frosting or a chocolate fudge glaze.

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