Go Back
–+ servings

One-Bowl Devil’s Food Layer Cake Recipe with Milk Chocolate Frosting

This rich and decadent dessert features a dark, moist cake flavored with coffee, cocoa, and brown sugar, complemented perfectly by creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting.
It’s a simple, one-bowl recipe that yields a fluffy yet indulgent treat, ideal for chocolate lovers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Active Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16

Equipment

  • 3 8-by-3-inch round cake pans
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter 3 sticks
  • 1 ½ cups black coffee or black tea
  • 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 ¼ cup finely chopped dark chocolate about 72%
  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons egg yolks from about 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 recipe Milk Chocolate Frosting
  • Optional: 1 cup Oreo crumbs

Instructions
 

  • Prepare Oven & Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line three 8-by-3-inch cake pans with parchment and grease them well. If you don’t have three pans, bake in batches.
  • Melt Butter & Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large saucepan, heat the butter and coffee over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and whisk the cocoa powder and chopped chocolate until smooth. Stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
  • Incorporate Eggs & Dry Ingredients: Whisk the eggs into the mixture. Gradually sift in the flour and baking soda, mixing gently until fully combined.
  • Divide & Bake: Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs. Cool completely before frosting.
  • Frost & Assemble: Once cooled, trim the cake layers to remove any doming. Place one layer on a serving plate, spread with frosting, and repeat for the second and third layers. Coat the cake sides and top with remaining frosting. Optionally, garnish with Oreo crumbs.
  • Storage: Keep the frosted cake at room temperature for up to 24 hours under a cake dome. Wrapped slices can last an additional 4 days.

Notes

  • Frosting must be used immediately after preparation.
  • Ensure cakes are fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting.
Keyword decadent dessert ideas, dessert recipes, Easy chocolate cake recipe, easy chocolate frosting, layered chocolate cake, one-bowl cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!