Devil’s Food Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting

1. Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-by-13-inch cake pan by greasing it with nonstick spray and lining it with parchment paper. This ensures your cake will release easily once baked.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. This blend of dry ingredients lays the foundation for a cake that's perfectly balanced and deeply chocolatey.

3. Prepare the Wet Mixture

Create a well in the center of your dry mix, then add the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, large eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until well combined. This step is crucial as it brings together the oil and eggs, creating a smooth batter base.

4. Combine and Bake the Cake

Pour in the brewed coffee and buttermilk, whisking to incorporate them fully. The coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor, while the buttermilk ensures the cake remains moist with a tender crumb. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before flipping it out onto a wire rack. Remove the parchment paper and let the cake cool completely. This ensures the frosting will spread smoothly without melting.

6. Make the Frosting

In a food processor or with a mixer, blend together the unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, kosher salt, milk chocolate, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. This frosting will provide a creamy, sweet contrast to the rich cake, enhanced by a hint of salt.

7. Assemble and Frost the Cake

Cut the cooled cake into three equal sections. Place the first section on a platter, spread a generous layer of frosting on top, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an added burst of flavor. Repeat with the remaining layers, finishing with frosting on the top. The layers of salt will highlight the chocolate notes, making each bite a perfect balance of sweet and savory.