Easy Homemade Devil Dogs Recipe: Nostalgic Chocolate Bliss

Devil Dogs spark memories of childhood treats that dance between decadent chocolate and nostalgic sweetness.

These classic snack cakes carry a mischievous reputation for intense flavor and irresistible texture.

Soft, pillowy cake layers sandwich a creamy filling that promises pure indulgence.

Rich chocolate notes blend seamlessly with a light, airy cream that melts instantly on your tongue.

Home bakers can recreate this beloved dessert with simple ingredients and minimal culinary expertise.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of moisture and richness that transports you back to simpler times.

Prepare to revamp your kitchen into a delightful bakery that rivals any store-bought confection.

What to Sip or Serve Alongside

• Pair with Creamy Comfort: Serve these devil dogs alongside a cold glass of whole milk for a classic, nostalgic combo that perfectly balances the rich chocolate cake and sweet filling.
• Coffee Lover's Dream: Complement the espresso powder in the cake with a hot espresso or cappuccino, enhancing the deep chocolate notes and providing a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Berry Bright Contrast: Add a small side of fresh raspberries or strawberries to cut through the richness, offering a tangy and refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, decadent devil dogs.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Indulgence: Top a devil dog with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra luxurious dessert experience that brings together warm cake and cool, creamy sweetness.

Devil Dog Variations That Hit Differently

• Coffee-Infused Classic: Add an extra tablespoon of espresso powder to the cake batter for a deeper, richer coffee flavor that complements the chocolate base.
• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Fold chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts into the cake batter for a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone.
• Raspberry Chocolate Sandwich: Replace part of the filling with seedless raspberry preserves, creating a tangy fruity layer between the chocolate cake logs.
• Salted Caramel Upgrade: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the filled cakes or mix a small amount into the cream filling for a sophisticated sweet-salty profile.

Why Devil Dogs Deserve a Comeback

• Craft Chocolate Bliss: These homemade devil dogs deliver rich, intense chocolate flavor that surpasses store-bought versions, with espresso powder adding depth and complexity to every bite.
• Quick and Clever Technique: Using a zippered plastic bag for piping creates perfectly uniform cake logs, making the baking process simple and professional-looking for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Dreamy Creamy Filling: The unique flour-based filling provides a silky, light texture that's less sweet than traditional buttercream, offering a balanced and sophisticated complement to the intense chocolate cake.
• Nostalgic Bakery Upgrade: By recreating a classic treat from scratch, you'll enjoy a gourmet version of the beloved packaged snack cake, with total control over ingredients and quality.

Ingredients to Make These at Home

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic base that provides structure and texture to the devil dogs.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep dark color.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
• Espresso Powder: Enhances chocolate flavor with subtle coffee undertones.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to the dessert.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter consistency.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet filling with perfect spreading consistency.
• Butter: Provides creamy texture and rich flavor to the filling.
• Shortening: Helps stabilize the filling and create a smooth texture.
• Flour: Thickens the base of the filling mixture.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth, spreadable filling consistency.

Assembling Classic Cream-Filled Devil Dogs

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 425°F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Espresso powder
• Salt

Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Cake Batter

In a separate bowl, whip butter and sugar until fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add egg and vanilla. Gradually mix dry ingredients and milk, alternating between them and starting/ending with dry ingredients.

Step 4: Pipe Cake Batter

Transfer batter into a zippered plastic bag. Cut 1/2-inch corner and pipe 3-inch logs onto prepared baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake Cake Logs

Bake for 8 minutes until set. Cool on wire racks.

Step 6: Prepare Flour Paste

• Flour
• Milk
• Salt

Cook until mixture becomes thick paste. Let cool slightly.

Step 7: Create Creamy Filling

Beat flour paste with powdered sugar until smooth. In another bowl, cream butter and shortening. Add vanilla and flour mixture. Beat until light and fluffy.

Step 8: Assemble Devil Dogs

Spread filling on flat sides of half the cakes. Top with remaining cake pieces to create sandwiches.

Tips for Soft Cakes and Smooth Filling

• Sift Dry Ingredients Carefully: Use a fine-mesh sieve to ensure cocoa powder and flour are lump-free, creating a smoother, more consistent cake texture.
• Pipe with Precision: Use a steady hand when piping batter logs, maintaining even thickness and length for uniform devil dogs that bake consistently.
• Master the Filling Technique: Cook the flour-milk base slowly and stir constantly to prevent lumps, which ensures a silky-smooth filling.
• Control Butter Temperature: Let butter soften at room temperature for easier creaming, but not too soft that it becomes greasy.
• Cool Completely Before Assembling: Allow cakes and filling to cool entirely to room temperature, preventing melting and maintaining structural integrity when sandwiching together.

Storing Devil Dogs Like a Pro

• Storing and Reheating Leftovers
• Refrigerate devil dogs in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Avoid freezing, as the cream filling may separate and compromise the cake's delicate structure. When ready to enjoy, let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to restore softness and prevent dryness. For a quick refresh, microwave individual cakes for 5-10 seconds, being careful not to overheat and dry out the delicate pastry.

Homemade Devil Dogs Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Devil Dogs deliver nostalgic New Jersey bakery magic straight to home kitchens. Classic chocolate cake sandwiches filled with marshmallow cream promise sweet memories and delightful indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (96 g) shortening
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and position the oven rack in the middle. Arrange parchment paper on two baking sheets, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Sift together all dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, ground espresso powder, and kosher salt into a medium mixing bowl. Set aside for later use.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, pale, and exceptionally fluffy, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Incorporate the whole egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until fully integrated and smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture and whole milk to the wet ingredients, alternating between the two. Begin and conclude with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to maintain the cake’s tender texture.
6. Transfer the cake batter into a large resealable plastic bag. Carefully snip a 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) opening at one corner to create a piping tool.
7. Pipe 3-inch (7.62 centimeters) elongated cake logs onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for potential spreading.
8. Bake the cake logs for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges appear set and the centers look slightly soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on wire cooling racks.
9. For the filling, whisk all-purpose flour, whole milk, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
10. Continue cooking the flour mixture, stirring constantly, until it transforms into a thick, paste-like consistency. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-7 minutes.
11. In a separate mixing bowl, cream unsalted butter and vegetable shortening until well combined and smooth.
12. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and the cooled flour mixture into the butter combination. Beat with an electric mixer until the filling becomes light, airy, and exceptionally fluffy.
13. To assemble the devil dogs, spread a generous layer of filling on the flat side of half the cooled cake logs.
14. Gently place the remaining cake logs on top of the filled halves, creating sandwich-like treats. Serve and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Plan ahead by gathering all ingredients and equipment before starting to ensure a smooth baking process.
• Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and creates a more uniform, lighter textured cake.
• Use room temperature butter and egg for better mixing and a smoother batter consistency.
• Pipe logs evenly and consistently for uniform devil dogs that bake and look professional.
• Allow cakes and filling to cool completely before assembling to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.
• Store finished devil dogs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg