devil's food cake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “devil's food cake” mean?
A very rich, moist, dark chocolate layer cake, typically made with cocoa powder or melted chocolate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very rich, moist, dark chocolate layer cake, typically made with cocoa powder or melted chocolate.
It denotes a specific, often celebratory, dessert known for its intense chocolate flavor, dense texture, and use in American culinary tradition. It is traditionally contrasted with the lighter-colored 'angel food cake'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is primarily an American culinary term. In the UK, the concept is understood but the specific name is less common. A similarly rich chocolate cake would likely just be called a 'chocolate cake', 'rich chocolate cake', or possibly a 'chocolate fudge cake'.
Connotations
In the US, it evokes a classic, homemade dessert. In the UK, it sounds distinctly American and somewhat specific.
Frequency
High frequency in US English within food contexts; low to moderate frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's food cake” in a Sentence
[verb] + devil's food cake: bake, make, frost, eat, serve, order[adjective] + devil's food cake: homemade, rich, moist, decadent, classicVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devil's food cake” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- She decided to devil's-food-cake the birthday party, baking three massive layers.
adjective
American English
- The baker's devil's-food-cake recipe is a closely guarded secret.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like bakery management, café menus, or food industry marketing.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Common in social and domestic contexts related to baking, eating, or describing desserts.
Technical
Used in professional baking and pastry arts to specify a type of cake formula.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's food cake”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “devil's food cake”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's food cake”
- Spelling: 'devils food cake' (missing apostrophe), 'devil's foodcake' (incorrect compound). Using it to refer to any chocolate cake, rather than the specific dense, moist type.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Devil's food cake is a specific type of chocolate cake known for being exceptionally moist, rich, and dark, often using cocoa powder dissolved in hot water or coffee. Regular chocolate cake can vary widely in texture and richness.
The name is primarily for marketing contrast with 'angel food cake' (a white, airy sponge cake). 'Devil's' suggests something sinfully rich, dark, and indulgent.
The specific term is less common. UK speakers are more likely to refer to a similar cake as a 'rich chocolate cake', 'chocolate fudge cake', or simply a 'chocolate cake'.
Yes, the batter for devil's food cake is commonly used to make exceptionally moist and rich chocolate cupcakes.
A very rich, moist, dark chocolate layer cake, typically made with cocoa powder or melted chocolate.
Devil's food cake is usually informal, culinary in register.
Devil's food cake: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ˈfuːd ˌkeɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ˈfuːd ˌkeɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As American as apple pie and devil's food cake.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The 'devil' tempts you with rich, dark, sinful chocolate, unlike the light and heavenly 'angel' food cake.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDULGENCE IS SIN / RICHNESS IS DARKNESS (contrasted with lightness/purity in 'angel food cake').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that defines a devil's food cake?