Bernice'S Beautiful Black Cake

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves: 8 Cuisine: American

A rich, flavorful black cake with cocoa and cinnamon, topped with your favorite icing. Perfect for celebrations or a decadent dessert for any occasion.

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Ingredients

  • 1 stick oleo
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 tbsp cocoa
  • 1/2 cup Wesson oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Put oleo, water, cocoa, and Wesson oil in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
  2. Cool the mixture to room temperature.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, and salt.
  4. Pour the cooled mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well.
  5. Add buttermilk, soda, cinnamon, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
  6. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
  7. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and have the icing ready before serving.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider substituting half of the Wesson oil with melted butter. If you want to make it a bit healthier, you can replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Make sure to sift the cocoa and flour to avoid lumps. This cake pairs beautifully with Coconut-Caramel No-Bake Cookies for a delightful dessert spread.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the black cake warm or at room temperature, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple icing. It makes an excellent pairing with coffee or tea. For a unique twist, serve it alongside Raw Apple - Walnut Cake for a delightful dessert buffet.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it up without drying it out.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Bernice'S Beautiful Black Cake contains roughly 699 calories, with 12g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (34% of the Daily Value), iron (32% of the Daily Value), and protein (23% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 617mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).

699 kcal 35% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 11.7g 23% DV
Total Fat 26.3g 34% DV
Carbs 96.3g 35% DV
Fiber 9.6g 34% DV
Sugar 18.4g 37% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 617mg 27% DV
Potassium 1073.8mg 23% DV
Cholesterol 159.4mg 53% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 44.6mcg 5% DV
Vitamin C 3.1mg 3% DV
Vitamin D 0.2mcg 1% DV
Calcium 297.4mg 23% DV
Iron 5.7mg 32% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Bernice's Beautiful Black Cake a day in advance. It actually tastes better after sitting for a day as the flavors meld together. Just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

What can I use instead of buttermilk?

If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1/2 cup of milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before adding it to the recipe.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the cake is ready. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry it out.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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