Grandma Campbell’s Devils Food Cake

One year when we were visiting family in Utah, we happened to visit Jon’s aunt and uncle when they were celebrating his uncle’s birthday. His aunt Marla had made the most delicious chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten. Jon even ate it and raves about it, which surprised me because he HATES chocolate cake. But, this chocolate cake is moist with just the right amount of richness. (I think he’s also biased because this is his great-grandmother’s recipe.)

I’ve made this cake into cupcakes and they are actually the best cupcakes I’ve ever made. The picture below is not the best representation.

GRANDMA CAMPBELL’S DEVILS FOOD CAKE

1/2 cup oil, or melted shortening
2 cups sugar
4 heaping Tbsp cocoa (serving spoon size)
4 eggs
1 cup sour milk (add 1 Tbsp vinegar to 1 cup milk)
3 cups flour
1 cup boiling water
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together oil, sugar and cocoa. Mix in eggs. Add milk, flour, water with baking soda, salt, and vanilla in that order. (Mix after each addition; stir baking soda into water before pouring into the batter.) Bake at 300° for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. (Bake cupcakes for about 18 minutes.) Frost with Cooked Chocolate Frosting (below).

COOKED CHOCOLATE FROSTING

2 1/2 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 Tbsp cocoa
1 cup powdered sugar

Shake together (or whisk together) milk and flour until no lumps remain. Cook in small saucepan until very thick, but do not scorch. Put in bowl and cover with plastic wrap (push plastic wrap down onto the surface of the paste so air does not get in). Cool. Cream together butter, sugar, salt, and cocoa. Add to cool paste. Beat well then add powdered sugar and beat well until smooth.