Cocoa Devil's Food Cake (KY) Recipe

Cake:
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 ounces confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Beat the granulated sugar and shortening until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well on medium speed. Sift the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda together in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk to the creamed mixture until evenly blended. Stir in the vanilla, and beat again for 2 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan, and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and prepare the frosting.
To prepare the frosting, melt the butter. Add the milk and vanilla. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar, and cocoa. Beat on high speed until creamy and ready to spread. Stir in the pecans.

Tips From Our Test Kitchen:
This cake is the ideal take-along when prepared in an oblong pan. It can also be baked in two 8-inch round pans if a layer cake is desired. If making a layer cake, double the icing.