Vintage Recipes — Red Devils Food Cake
Are you a lover of all things vintage? If the answer is yes, then you’re in for a treat! I collect vintage cookbooks and found this recipe handwritten in the back of the cover page for Red Devils Food Cake.
On the opposite page there was a signature by the owner stating this book belonged to her and a breakdown of who she was. It was given to her as a wedding gift in 1942. That year holds a special place in my heart.
There’s something special about revisiting the food from a different era. It’s no doubt this beloved vintage recipe has been passed down through generations, and now their handwritten recipe and thoughtful note will live on to bless another home.
The writing has faded and the picture might be a little difficult to read, so I’ve transcribed the baker’s recipe here.
Enjoy!
Red Devils Food Cake
One thing I noticed immediately is that there is no requirement for red food dye, so I’m not sure why the name has red in it. It must have been what it was called back in those days–which we now know simply as devils food cake.
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup water
Cream shortening and add sugar thoroughly. Add eggs one at a time beating well after the addition of each. Add vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and add alternately with water, mixing well after each addition. Place in a greased and floured square or oblong pan, or in layer pan, and bake moderate oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit for from 35 to 45 minutes depending on depth of pan.
Whether it’s an old cake recipe from your grandmother’s cookbook or a creamy soup recipe from the 1930s, there’s something special about revisiting the food from a different era. I hope you enjoyed this post!
