National Devil's Food Cake Day: An Easy Devil's Food Cake Recipe (and a Little History About Its Name) by Donna John

The general consensus is that no one really knows where devil’s food cake got its name. Linda Stradley of What’sCookingAmerica.net, however, does have an interesting theory. She states that the cake is also known as red velvet cake and red devil’s cake because it was originally red in color, which brings into play the “devil” in the name. (You can check out Linda's devil's food cake recipe.) Here's another easy recipe for this classic cake.

You'll need:

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• red food coloring (optional)

Here's how you make it:

1. Put the shortening and cocoa in a bowl. Pour the boiling water over and mix well. 
2. Add the remaining ingredients, including 1-2 tablespoons of red food coloring, if using. Beat for about 2 minutes.
3. Pour the batter into two greased and floured round cake pans, a greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan or bundt pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and frost as desired. 

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