Rich Devil’s Food Cake

Ingredients
2.25 cups flour
½ c dark cocoa powder (unsweetened an option)
1.5 t baking soda
1 t salt
½ c butter
1 c sugar
1 t vanilla
3 egg yolks
1 1/3 c cold water
–Steps 9 & 10–
3 egg whites
¾ c sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350–Very important. Makes 18 cupcakes.
2. Grease & lightly flour two 9×1 1/2” round baking pans
3. Stir flour, cocoa powder, baking solda, salt
4. Beat ½ c butter med speed 30 seconds
5. Add 1 c sugar & vanilla, beat til fluffy
6. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating on medium speed 1 minute after each egg yolk
7. Add dry ingredients & water alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed just til combined
8. Thoroughly wash & dry the beater
9. In a small glass deep mixer bowl beat egg whites til soft peaks form
10. Gradually add ¾ c sugar, beating til stiff peaks form.
11. Fold egg white mixture into batter; combine well
12.Turn batter into prepared pans and spread evenly.
13. Bake 30-35 minutes or til cake tests done
14. Cool 10 minutes on wire racks
15. Remove from pan & cool thoroughly on racks