Page 73 - Chocolate Cake Doctor

L U S C I O U S L A Y E R S 55

CHOCOLAT
CHOCOLATE E

MIDNIGHT CAK
MIDNIGHT CAKE E

WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

he devil’s food cake has to offset the richness of the cake

developed a reputation as an and to contrast with its lights-out

incredibly dark chocolate hue.
cake. But its name comes from the
SERVES: 16
reddish color that the cocoa powder
PREPARATION TIME: 8 MINUTES
in the recipe provides. If you want
BAKING TIME: 28 TO 32 MINUTES
a cake that is not only intensely fla- ASSEMBLY TIME: 10 MINUTES
vored but also amazingly moist,

then this Choco- Solid vegetable shortening for greasing
the pans
late Midnight
Flour for dusting the pans
Cake is for
1 package (18.25 ounces) plain dark
you. The chocolate fudge cake mix

secret ingredient is 1 cup water
1 cup mayonnaise
mayonnaise. Don’t look so sur-
3 large eggs
prised! Mayonnaise has long been
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
used to moisten chocolate layer Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
(page 412)
cakes. Be sure to use a real mayo—
such as Hellmann’s—here. I chose a
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven
bright white, slightly sweet frosting and preheat the oven to 350°F. Gener-