Economy Devils Food Cake is a Depression-era dessert known for its rich cocoa flavor and cost-saving ingredients like lard or butter alternatives. This cake gained popularity for delivering decadent taste with economical pantry staples, making it a beloved treat for families on a budget. It's delightfully moist, chocolatey, and easy to bake, often served during holidays or special gatherings. Its simplicity, nostalgia, and practicality keep it cherished among vintage recipe enthusiasts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup lard ( or butter)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup McNess Cocoa (or regular unsweetened cocoa)
- 1 cup sweet milk (whole milk)
- 1 tsp baking soda (level)
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp McNess Vanilla (or regular vanilla extract)
Instructions
Step 1: Cream Sugar & Fat
- Cream sugar and lard (or butter) together.
- Add eggs and beat well.
Step 2: Dissolve Cocoa
- Dissolve cocoa in ½ cup hot water.
- Beat to a smooth paste and add to creamed mixture.
Step 3: Add Milk & Vanilla
- Add sweet milk and vanilla to the mixture.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Sift 1 level tsp soda with 2 cups flour three times.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and beat well.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour batter into greased and floured cake pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before frosting.
Tips
- Substitute butter for lard if you prefer a richer flavor.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt to enhance chocolate depth (not listed in original recipe).
- Frost with classic chocolate buttercream for an authentic vintage presentation.
- Swap sweet milk for buttermilk and reduce soda slightly for a tangier crumb.
- Prepare in two pans for thicker layers instead of three.
- Add ½ teaspoon instant coffee to intensify chocolate flavor.
- Sift flour an additional time for extra-light texture (aligns with the handwritten instruction to sift flour “3 times”).
- Fold in mini chocolate chips to modernize the recipe while keeping its vintage charm.
- Use high-quality cocoa for best color and richness.
Nutrition
Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 350IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 1.5mg
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