This Devil Dog Cake tastes just like your favorite childhood snack! Rich chocolate cake with irresistible marshmallowy frosting!
Holy cakeamole!! I have been dying to make and share this Devil Dog Cake since December. And believe me, it was totally worth the wait friends!
I first saw the recipe for this deliciously decadent cake in Gourmet Magazine’s Holiday Baking issue. It had my name written ALL over it! I’m not quite sure when I tasted my first Devil Dog, but it was love at first bite. I don’t buy them often, but every once in a while when the craving hits, I indulge. A tall glass of milk and a Devil Dog. Ah, it’s the little things in life that make me happy.
I didn’t get a chance to make this cake for my son Casey before he went back to school after the Christmas holidays so, it was a given that I needed to make it when he came home for spring break this week. He loves chocolate as much as I do, so I knew he was going to love it. It was a huge hit to say the least! It tastes exactly like the original Devil Dog. It’s spot on! The cake is irresistibly dark and chocolatey and the frosting is incredibly fluffy and marshmallowy! I just know you’re going to LOVE this one! I double devil dog dare you to eat just one piece!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder not Dutch process plus some for sprinkling
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Frosting:
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 inch square pan (2 inches deep) generously with non-stick cooking spray. (I used an 8 inch round cake pan, 2 inches deep. As you can see in the photo, it baked right to the top. Probably a 9 inch round cake pan would have been better.)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer combine butter and brown sugar. Beat until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well in between. Add vanilla.
- Add flour mixture and 1 1/3 cups water, starting with some of the flour mixture, then adding some water alternately. End with the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Smooth top and bake for 45-55 minutes until tester comes out clean. In the 8 inch round pan mine took 54 minutes.
- Cool in pan on rack for one hour. Transfer to cake plate to frost.
- Frosting:
- Combine all ingredients with 2 Tbsp. water in a metal bowl over simmering water. Beat with a handheld mixer for 6-7 minutes, until thick and fluffy.
- Remove from water and continue to beat for 1-2 more minutes until somewhat cooled.
- Mound the frosting on top of the cake, then sprinkle with cocoa powder.
- The egg whites are not fully cooked, so you can substitute pasteurized or reconstituted dried egg whites.
- I followed the recipe and made the cake the night before because they said it would improve in flavor if made 1 day ahead. I then wrapped it in plastic wrap and kept it at room temperature. I then unwrapped it and frosted it the next day.
Recipe adapted from Gourmet Magazine Holiday Baking Issue
Love your photos and love that cake Mary Ann! Devil dog cupcakes are often requested for birthdays in our house because nothing beats that fluffy frosting. You have two very lucky boys!
Thanks so much Cathy! Casey just LOVED this one!
Whoa! <– that was my first thought when I saw this post. Talk about one gorgeous, chocolaty cake, Mary Ann! This is definitely a beauty!! I've never heard of a devil dog cake before, and I'm hoping the hubster hasn't either because I can't wait to surprise him with this! I know he is going to love this, and probably devour it in minutes! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
P.s. looove the photos and that little white plate!
As soon as I saw it in Gourmet magazine I knew I had to make it! It was screaming my name!!
Looks wonderful and decadent! Love this one!
It’s definitely decadent Sarah! Thanks so much for the comment!
How ever did you wait on this, Mary Ann!? It is incredibly dreamy and so luscious! Just look at those swirls and cracks on the top of that rich chocolatey cake! What a dream! Love the brown sugar in there too… Oh My!!
The recipe is really spot on Traci! Yay for Gourmet magazine!
That is one gorgeous cake! That’s it. I’m speechless.
Ha! Make it, bake it, ENJOY it Rachelle!
Wow what a decadent cake!! Never heard of devil dog cake before. And that mountains meringue frosting is fantastic! I totally want a piece of that for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Oh, you’ll LOVE it Linda! It took no time at all to polish it off at our house!
This is AWESOME — love the photos, I’m sharing today! We always had Devil Dogs in the house when I was growing up :)
This recipe from Gourmet Magazine is spot on Sue! Oh, the memories!
Gorgeous cake!!! Ahhh. Makes me want a slice this very minute!
Thank you so much! This is one you should definitely try!
I just had to google devil dog cake, because I had no idea what it was. (Don’t have them in Canada! – For Canadians, sounds Jos. Louis-ish :) So now that I know, I’m ever more all over this than I was from just looking at the photos. Yep, I’ll be making this!
Oh, you definitely should Jennifer! We all loved it! Gourmet magazine’s recipe was spot on!
This is a gorgeous cake!!! How have I never had a Devil Dog?!?!?!
Ha! Thanks Rebecca! Get going! Make this cake! There’s no time to waste!
This is one gorgeous cake! I love a simply decorated cake with a big slather of icing on top and a simple sprinkle of coco powder – it is so pretty, Mary Ann! Can’t wait to try this. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Geraldine! So easy and tastes just like a Devil Dog!
Umm yes please, i’ll take two huge slices! This is an insanely gorgeous cake as everyone has commented.
You’re so sweet Nicole. Thank you so much. One slice definitely isn’t enough!
Oh I’ve never heard of a devil dog, but this cake looks delicious! I just know my mama is going to love it! She’s a huge fan of marshmallow frosting so this is going to earn me lots of good daughter points!
Perfect Amy! I like the way you think! Hope she enjoys it!
This cake looks soooo good, I would love to have little slice right now. I love the rich chocolate cake topped with a fluffy frosting. I miss not having new gourmet magazines.
I knew when I saw this cake in the Holiday baking issue I had to try it! It really is quite delicious Gerlinde! Hope you have a great weekend!
Ha! I love the name of the cake!!! This looks so super chocolaty. I can’t believe the height of the cake….yummers!
I’ll trade you this cake for your cinnamon bread! Deal?
Oh my goodness, this is beautiful! I want a slice right now!
Thanks Tessa! I’ll save you a slice!
This cake looks awesome, Mary Ann! I love your photos. I haven’t had a Devil Dog in years. I used to love them. Those and Hostess cupcakes. Those two things were my weakness!
Thanks so much Liz! As soon as I saw this cake I knew I had to try it. It really tastes exactly like the real Devil Dog! I loved the Hostess cupcakes too! Every once in a while when I treat myself to the old goodies it takes me right back to my childhood!
This cake is truly jaw dropping! I’m in awe – it’s gorgeous :)
Thanks Megan! You should give it a try! It’s a fave at our house!
I have never head of a Devil Dog cake, but it looks amazing! That frosting looks like the best marshmallow ever. I’m pinning this to make for my nephew.
He is going to love it Jessica!
I had no idea what devil dog was so I googled it! I can see why this rich decadent cake is a hit. And glad your son was able to enjoy it during spring break!
This recipe from Gourmet Magazine was spot on Zainab! You should definitely give it a try! Casey loved it!
Oh my goodness…as soon as I read the title and saw your beautiful images…I had to click over! Growing up, we never had much “junk food” in the house…but every so often, my Mom would buy Devil Dogs as a treat. I adored them! This just looks so incredible…I love that you use dark brown sugar, it must add such great flavor. Pinning to make this soon! Glad to have found you!
So glad you found the blog too Caroline! This Devil Dog cake was such a hit at our house! We didn’t have a lot of junk food around our house either growing up. Devil Dogs were always a special treat! Thanks so much for following!
What a stunning cake, Mary Ann! That fluffy marshmallow topping looks sublime!
Oh, thank you so much Laura! When I saw this recipe in the Gourmet Holiday baking magazine I knew I would have to give it a go! And once I tasted it, I knew I had to share it!
i’ve never heard of a devil dog cake before! this one looks great :D
You’ll love it!! Devil Dogs are delicious and this cake tastes just like one!
Help! My frosting didn’t fluff! It’s a sticky, runny consistency. Any suggestions? The cake is fabulous and the frosting tastes good, but isn’t fluffing up
Hi Heather. Have you beat it for the correct amount of time? Try to keep beating and if doesn’t fluff up I’m thinking you may need to start over. Make sure your bowl is not touching the simmering water. Good luck!