Devil's Food Cake

Instructions

1. 1

   Melt the chocolate in a microwave oven in 30-second bursts, stirring it between each until it's completely melted and smooth. (This can also be done in a bowl over a pan of boiling water.)

2. 2

   With a mixer, beat the eggs until they become very light and almost foamy.

3. 3

   Add 1/2 cup of the sugar to the eggs. Beat until the sugar is no longer gritty.

4. 4

   When the melted chocolate has cooled until just warm to the touch, pour it into the beaten egg, and stir it in with a rubber spatula. It's okay for there to be streaks. Add 1/3 cup of milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Stir until the streaks are almost gone.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, beat the remaining sugar and the butter into the flour until it has the texture of cornmeal. Add 1 cup of milk, and stir first with a kitchen fork then with a rubber spatula until all the flour is damp. (Add a little more milk if necessary.)

6. 6

   Spoon the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture. With a rubber spatula, stir until well blended.

7. 7

   Spoon the batter into a deep, buttered baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.