Mary Berry Devils Food Cake

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180'C/Gas mark 4. Grease and base line 2 x 8inch (20cm) sandwich tins with greased greaseproof paper.
• Whisk the cocoa into the water until smooth. Set aside. Place the margarine in a bowl and gradually whisk in the sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Lightly whisk the eggs, then gradually whisk into the creamed mixture until evenly blended.
• Sift the flour with baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and fold into the creamed mixture alternatively with the cocoa and water.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and level the surface. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until well risen and firm to the touch. Allow to cool in the tins for a few minutes, then turn out and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• For the American frosting, place the sugar in a large, heavy-based pan with the water and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil to 115'C (240'F) as registered on a sugar thermometer.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites in a large deep bowl until stiff. Allow the bubbles to settle, then slowly pour the hot syrup onto the egg whites, whisking constantly. When all the sugar syrup has been added, continue whisking until the mixture stands in peaks and just starts to become matt around the edges.
• Sandwich the cakes together with a little of the frosting. Spread the remainder over the top and the sides, using a palette knife. Pull the frosting up into peaks all over. Work quickly as the icing sets rapidly. Leave to set in a cool place, but not in the fridge.

THE ONLY CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE YOU'LL EVER NEED! (DEVIL'S FOOD)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, coffee and milk and mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat 2 more minutes. Expect batter to be thin.
• Pour into a 9" x 13" greased and floured pan or 2- 9" round pans. Bake 9 x 13 pan for about 45 minutes or 9" pans for about 30 minutes. Cool in pans for about 15 minutes and then cool completely on racks.
• While cake is cooling make the icing: Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan and cook over low heat until thick, whisking constantly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• In a medium bowl, beat butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add chilled milk and flour mixture and beat for 10 minutes. Frost cooled cake and enjoy! The frosting sounds intimidating, but it is worth it! By the way, for some reason, we prefer this cake chilled, right out of the refrigerator. The rich chocolate and cool frosting just seem to taste best this way.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Heat milk in small pan until bubbles form around the edges. Remove from heat.
• Mix cocoa and white sugar together in a bowl. Slowly beat in warm milk. Let cool.
• Cream the butter with the brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Add cocoa mixture.
• Mix remaining dry ingredients together and blend in to butter mixture. Don't overbeat.
• Turn in to two well-greased and floured 9 inch layer cake pans and bake 25-30 minutes, until cake shrinks slightly from sides of pans, and springs back when touched gently in the center.
• Cool on a rack for a few minutes, then turn out of pans on to rack.
• Wait until completely cool before frosting.
• See "7 Minute Frosting" for Easy Frosting Recipe.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour one 9x13 inch pan or two 9 inch round pans.
• In a small pan melt the butter or margarine with the unsweetened chocolate. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Cream together the sugar and the eggs until light in color. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs and temper mixture by beating well (so you don't end up with scrambled eggs!) Add 1 cup boiled water (still warm) and blend well. Mixture will be very liquid.
• Mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this mixture to the chocolate mixture and blend well.
• Mix together the vinegar and the milk and stir into the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan(s).
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cake divides well for filling with mousse, or ganache, or black forest fillings. The best clue to this cake being nearly done is that you will start to smell the aroma of chocolate filling your house!