Out of this World Black Joe Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup powdered cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup brewed strong black coffee
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix wet ingredients with beater. Add dry ingredients and mix well with electric mixer until smooth. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes in a greased oblong cake pan. Makes good cupcakes too. Bake cupcakes for 15-20 minutes.

Okay, I'm sorry the directions are really obscure, (obscure seems to be my word of the week). But this recipe is passed down from my mom from who knows where? I never understood the reason it was called "Black Joe" until I realized coffee is called "A cup of Joe" (where did cup of Joe come from anyhow?) and the black part I suppose means using a "dark, strong" cup of coffee in the recipe. Personally, I do not like coffee, much to my husband's dismay (he's still trying to convert this hot chocolate gal to a coffee drinker), so don't let the coffee part scare you away. I can't even taste it. But the taste of this moist, rich, chocolate cake is out of this world! My mom would make this for all our birthday cakes. Just find a good icing recipe to go with it. A smooth butter icing is delicious, yum! (P.S. Icing this moist cake is difficult. A trick is to bake ahead and freeze the cake. When ready to use, pull it out and ice while frozen. Let defrost on counter before party.)

Oh, by the way, my brother insists this cake we grew up enjoying is called "Black Cow" cake. Hmm, brother dear, I still disagree. (Hee, hee, hee) Either way, it's out of this world on the taste scale of yum!

Credits: Mom Zweitzig

Dandy Dippin' Fruit Dip

8 ounces cool whip (soft)
1 (8-ounce) container strawberry-banana yogurt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix and refrigerate until use.


This is a fun way to jazz up a plain fruit tray. It has become a personal party favorite and people think it took sooooo much effort to make. Surprise!


Tastes great with most fruits and an added bonus is you're eating healthy! Yea!

Credits: Unknown, passed along the friend "grapevine"