Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to show you how to make a black joe cake, a moist and rich chocolate cake that is super easy to prepare and bake. If you love chocolate, you will love this cake!
A black joe cake is also known as a Texas sheet cake, a buttermilk brownie, or a chocolate sheet cake. It is a simple cake that is made with cocoa powder, butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and buttermilk. The cake is baked in a large rectangular pan and then topped with a chocolate frosting that is poured over the hot cake. The result is a decadent dessert that is perfect for parties, potlucks, or any occasion.
What is the Origin of Black Joe Cake?
There are many theories about the origin of black joe cake, but no one knows for sure. Some say that it was invented by a cook named Joe who worked at a hotel in Texas. He used leftover ingredients to make a cake for the guests and named it after himself. Others say that it was named after Joe Louis, a famous boxer who was nicknamed “the Brown Bomber”. He was popular in the 1930s and 1940s, when the cake was also popular.
Another theory is that the name comes from the color of the cake, which is very dark and resembles black coffee. Some people also call it a “joe cake” or a “cup of joe cake” because it goes well with coffee. Whatever the origin, the black joe cake has become a classic dessert in American cuisine and is enjoyed by many people across the country.
How to Make Black Joe Cake?
Making a black joe cake is very easy and does not require any special equipment or skills. You just need a large saucepan, a whisk, a wooden spoon, a measuring cup, a measuring spoon, a large baking pan, and an oven. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Preheat the oven and grease the pan
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal of the cake.
Step 2: Make the cake batter
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt one cup of butter and stir in ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and one cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove from heat. Whisk in two cups of granulated sugar, two cups of all-purpose flour, one teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt until well combined. Add two eggs and ½ cup of buttermilk and whisk again until smooth.
Step 3: Bake the cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake the cake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake the cake or it will become dry.
Step 4: Make the frosting
While the cake is baking, make the frosting by melting ½ cup of butter in another saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and six tablespoons of milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove from heat. Stir in one teaspoon of vanilla extract and four cups of powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
Step 5: Frost the cake
As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over it with a fork or a skewer. Pour the hot frosting over the hot cake and spread it evenly with a spatula. Let the cake cool completely before cutting into pieces and serving.
A Table Breakdown of Black Joe Cake Recipe
To help you understand better how to make a black joe cake, here is a table breakdown of the ingredients and instructions for both the cake and the frosting:
| Ingredients | Cake | Frosting |
| — | — | — |
| Butter | 1 cup | ½ cup |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | ¼ cup | ¼ cup |
| Water | 1 cup | 6 tablespoons |
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups | – |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups | – |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | – |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | – |
| Eggs | 2 | – |
| Buttermilk | ½ cup | – |
| Vanilla extract | – | 1 teaspoon |
| Powdered sugar | – | 4 cups |
| Instructions | Cake | Frosting |
| — | — | — |
| Step 1 | Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 13×9 inch baking pan. | – |
| Step 2 | In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in cocoa powder and water. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Whisk in sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs and buttermilk and whisk until smooth. | – |
| Step 3 | Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. | – |
| Step 4 | – | In another saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in cocoa powder and milk. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and powdered sugar until smooth and glossy. |
| Step 5 | Poke holes all over the hot cake with a fork or a skewer. Pour the hot frosting over the hot cake and spread it evenly. Let the cake cool completely before cutting and serving. | – |
FAQs About Black Joe Cake
What is buttermilk and how can I make it?
Buttermilk is a type of fermented milk that has a tangy flavor and a thick consistency. It is often used in baking to add moisture and acidity to the batter. You can buy buttermilk at the grocery store or make your own by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to one cup of milk and letting it sit for 10 minutes.
Can I use a different type of pan for this cake?
Yes, you can use a different type of pan for this cake, but you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller or deeper pan will require more time, while a larger or shallower pan will require less time. You can also use a round or square pan instead of a rectangular one, but you may need to cut the cake into smaller pieces to fit the frosting.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this cake?
Yes, you can add nuts or chocolate chips to this cake if you like. You can either stir them into the batter before baking or sprinkle them over the frosting after pouring it over the cake. You can use any type of nuts or chocolate chips that you prefer, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, or white chocolate.
How can I store this cake?
You can store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze this cake for up to three months by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Can I make this cake vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this cake vegan or gluten-free by using some substitutions. For a vegan cake, you can use vegan butter, plant-based milk, flax eggs, and dairy-free chocolate chips. For a gluten-free cake, you can use gluten-free flour, baking powder, and xanthan gum.
Why is my cake dry or crumbly?
If your cake is dry or crumbly, it may be because you overbaked it, used too much flour, or did not measure the ingredients correctly. To prevent this, make sure to check the doneness of the cake with a toothpick, use a kitchen scale or a spoon-and-level method to measure the flour, and follow the recipe exactly.
Why is my frosting too thin or too thick?
If your frosting is too thin or too thick, it may be because you used too much or too little milk, powdered sugar, or cocoa powder. To fix this, you can adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more or less of these ingredients until you get the desired texture.
Can I use a different type of frosting for this cake?
Yes, you can use a different type of frosting for this cake if you want. You can use cream cheese frosting, peanut butter frosting, caramel frosting, or any other frosting that you like. However, keep in mind that some frostings may not work well with the hot cake method and may need to be applied after the cake has cooled down.
What can I serve with this cake?
You can serve this cake with whipped cream, ice cream, fresh berries, or any other toppings that you like. You can alsoenjoy it with a glass of milk or coffee for a complete treat.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about black joe cake recipe and learned how to make this delicious and easy dessert for any occasion. If you try this recipe, let us know how it turned out in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out our other articles for more amazing recipes and tips. Thank you for reading and happy baking!