Devil’s Food Cake

What Is Devil’s Food Cake?

Devil’s Food Cake is a classic American dessert that first appeared in the early 20th century. It’s often described as the “chocolate lover’s cake” because of its intense cocoa flavor and lighter, fluffier texture compared to traditional chocolate cake.

Defining traits of Devil’s Food Cake include:

• Cocoa Powder Base – the primary source of its rich chocolate taste.
• Moist Texture – achieved with butter, oil, or sour cream.
• Leavening Agents – baking soda or baking powder for a lighter crumb.
• Frosting – typically paired with chocolate or fudge icing.
• Variations – baked as layer cakes, sheet cakes, or cupcakes.

Together, these features make Devil’s Food Cake a decadent dessert that stands apart from standard chocolate cakes.

Why Devil’s Food Cake Contains Caffeine

The caffeine in Devil’s Food Cake comes directly from cocoa powder and chocolate, both of which naturally contain caffeine and theobromine. While the levels are much lower than in coffee, they are still measurable.

Sources of caffeine in Devil’s Food Cake:

• Cocoa Powder – 12 mg caffeine per tablespoon (5 g).
• Dark Chocolate (if used in frosting/filling) – 20 mg caffeine per ounce (28 g).
• Milk Chocolate (optional decoration) – 6 mg caffeine per ounce (28 g).
• Cupcake vs. Slice – smaller servings contain less caffeine, but concentration per gram is similar.

This means every bite of Devil’s Food Cake carries a small amount of caffeine, though not enough to rival a cup of coffee.

Caffeine Content per Slice of Devil’s Food Cake

A standard slice of Devil’s Food Cake (about 1/12 of a 9‑inch cake, 138 g) contains caffeine from the cocoa used in the batter and the chocolate‑based frosting. While the amount is modest compared to coffee, it’s still worth noting for anyone tracking daily caffeine intake.

Estimated caffeine per slice:

• Cake Batter (cocoa powder) – 20–25 mg
• Chocolate Frosting – 5–10 mg
• Total per slice (138 g) – 25–35 mg caffeine

In comparison, this is about one‑third the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee, making it noticeable but not excessive.

Caffeine Content in Devil’s Food Cupcakes

Devil’s Food Cupcakes are a smaller, portion‑controlled version of the classic cake. Since they use the same cocoa‑rich batter, the caffeine content scales down with serving size. A typical cupcake weighs about 65 g, making it roughly half the size of a standard slice.

Estimated caffeine per cupcake:

• Cake Batter – 10–12 mg
• Frosting – 3–5 mg
• Total per cupcake (65 g) – 13–17 mg caffeine

This makes cupcakes a lighter option for those who want the flavor of Devil’s Food Cake with less caffeine per serving.

Caffeine Content per 100g of Devil’s Food Cake

Measuring caffeine by weight allows for easy comparison across recipes and serving sizes. Since Devil’s Food Cake is made with cocoa powder and sometimes chocolate frosting, the caffeine concentration per 100 g is fairly consistent regardless of whether it’s baked as a slice, cupcake, or sheet cake.

Caffeine per 100 g of Devil’s Food Cake:

• Average Range – 18–25 mg caffeine
• Cupcake Equivalent – 15 mg per 65 g
• Slice Equivalent – 25–35 mg per 138 g

This shows that caffeine concentration is fairly consistent, but total intake depends on portion size.

Nutritional Facts of Devil’s Food Cake

Beyond caffeine, Devil’s Food Cake is calorie‑dense and high in sugar and fat, making it more of an indulgence than a daily snack. Its rich cocoa base, buttery texture, and sweet frosting all contribute to a dessert that is satisfying but also heavy in calories.

Nutrition per slice (138 g, 1/12 of a cake):

• Calories – 530 kcal
• Total Fat – 28 g
• Saturated Fat – 8 g
• Carbohydrates – 73 g
• Sugars – 55 g
• Protein – 5 g
• Caffeine – 25–35 mg

Overall, Devil’s Food Cake is a rich dessert with modest caffeine levels compared to coffee or energy drinks, but it’s still worth noting for those monitoring caffeine intake.