Juju’s Birthday Cake
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Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup cocoa
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs preferably at room temperature
For the Frosting:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup sprinkles optional
To Prepare
To prepare the cake:
- Grease a 9x13-inch cake pan with butter. Cover the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large pot, over medium heat, pour the water, stir in the cocoa and add the butter. Let it heat for a few minutes, stirring now and then, until it all dissolves. Remove the pot from the heat.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In another, beat the eggs and combine them with the sour cream.
- In turns, add a quarter of the flour mix and then a quarter of the sour cream mix at a time into the pot with the cocoa mixture; stir with a spatula, mixing all of the ingredients as you move along. Pour onto the greased cake pan and place in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out barely moist but not wet.
- Take the cake out of the oven and let it cool a bit while you prepare the frosting.
To prepare the frosting:
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, pour in the milk and the vanilla. Stir in the cocoa and add the butter. Heat and stir until everything is all dissolved and combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar. Thoroughly mix with a spatula and set aside.
To assemble:
- Run the tip of a knife around the edges of the cake. Turn the cake onto a platter and gently remove the parchment paper. Pour the still-warm frosting over the cake and gently spread it out with a spatula. If you wish, you may add sprinkles of your choice before the frosting hardens (NOTE: The cake is soft and moist the first couple days, then hardens like a brownie afterwards if left uncovered-- perfect for packing in school lunches).
Comments
81comments inJuju’s Birthday Cake
Amy W
Jan 21
Making this cake this am. My friend calls it the devil cake because you can’t stop eating it.
Pati Jinich
Jan 29
Haha, love the name!
Rebekah
Apr 23
This cake is absolutely amazing!!
Pati Jinich
May 01
Glad you liked it Rebekah!
Jaymer Rodriguez
Mar 05
I want that my birthday is on may 12th
Pati Jinich
Mar 07
Hope you will love it as much as Juju does Jaymer 😉
Yashodara
Aug 02
I love chocolate cake I am so excited to try this!
Pati Jinich
Aug 05
I hope you enjoy it Yashodara 🙂
Johnnyd
Nov 27
Patients love your show and this cake! My wife made it for my birthday and used Dark Chocolate Cocoa. Wow! Out of this world. Thank you for the beautiful spirit you bring to cooking.
Pati Jinich
Nov 29
Aw thank you, Johnny!
Janelle
Oct 26
Pati,
I have made Juju’s cake before and loved it! I’m wondering does the recipe also work for Cupcakes?
Pati Jinich
Oct 26
Go for it, Janelle!
Kim Castillo
Sep 12
Today l made your Jujus Birthday cake l have been wanting to do so for a long time , it’s really really yummy. I replaced the water with coffee. And l live in the high desert, so l added an additional 1/4 cup of flour. This will be my new favorite! Thank you Pati
Pati
Sep 13
Super! I’m so glad it is a new favorite, Kim.
Adriana
May 07
Hi Pati, my family and I are big fans of your show. My two year old daughter always asks to watch “Dame Dame show” (because of the song). One question: can I substitute the sour cream? Or just leave it out of the recipe? Thank you!
Pati
May 16
Oh thanks so much! Maybe you want to try another cake like the Nana José Cake or the marbled pound cake. http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/nana-joses-flourless-chocolate-pecan-cake/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/alisas-marbled-pound-cake/
Anonymous
Nov 14
I made this cake for my friend Judy’s birthday two years ago and she asked for it every year. she loves it and so dose everyone
Pati
Nov 14
That’s awesome!
Joey
Nov 12
Yum that looks great I go to juju’s school ask if he knows me
Pati
Nov 18
Hi Joey, this Pati, Jujus mom! Juju is here with me right now and he says that he knows you!
Barbarainnc
Oct 17
You posted a picture of Juju’s Birthday cake, 2 layers with a white buttercream frosting. I’d like your buttercream frosting. Please post it.
Pati
Nov 03
I haven’t added that recipe to the blog yet…will try to soon.
Karen
Feb 09
Hi Pati.
I made this cake because it sounded so delicious, but I am trying to cut back on sugar so used one of the popular sugar substitutes. The batter was thicker than I expected. Could that have been the problem? Other than that, it was very good.
Pati
Feb 09
Yes, probably. Sugar substitutes act differently than sugar…
Brandi
Feb 08
I made this gluten free and it was amazing! However, the icing was a little too rich for my liking. Can’t wait for it to turn brownie texture…will eat with some whipped cream 🙂
Pati
Feb 08
🙂
alexa
Feb 05
I would love to know that too since my husband is also from mexico and im practicing my mexican receipes.
Patty
Jan 19
I saw this yesterday…it looks delicious as is but if I want to give it that Mexican chocolate taste should I use the cocoa combined with cinnamon or can I use a round of Mexican brand chocolate that is used to make the hot chocolate drink? Love your show…you have some of the best recipes…You should be on Foodnetwork and the Cooking Channel. Thank you. Patty
Pati
Jan 30
Yes you can!
Ana
Oct 10
Hi Patty
Always do this recipe with great results !!! Thank you
Do you have a vanilla one as easy as this?
Pati
Oct 15
I LOVE baking and cooking with vanilla! Here are two of my favorite recipes: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2013/12/orange-vanilla-flan/ and of course http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2010/02/tres_leches_cake/ I hope you enjoy and please let me know how they turn out!
Pia Pedersen
Mar 19
I’ve baked this cake many times now. It has become a family tradition! I bring this cake to friends who are sick or to pot luck parties. It is always a hit! The chocolate sauce really makes it rich and decadent.
Yesterday, I served 80 slices of Juju’s Birthday Cake to Navy League Cadets and their leaders as it was my son’s 12th birthday.
Everyone wanted the recipe!
When I want to make it extra fancy, I bake it in a smaller pan so it will be higher, cut in half and fill centre with banana cream (or vanilla pudding) and sliced bananas, decorate top with whipped cream roses and serve with chocolate sauce on the side. Rustic, rich and delicious.
Pati
Mar 19
Hi Pia, I’m so happy your family is enjoying this recipe as much as mine! Love what you are doing with the banana – sounds decadent and delicious!!
Susanne
Nov 04
My daughter and I watched the school lunch episode together and she immediately said, “I want Juju’s birthday cake for my birthday!” It’s the first of your recipes that I’ve actually made (even though I want to make all of them!!) and it was a hit at her birthday party this weekend.The cake is seriously delicious (even 2 days later)and I have a feeling it’s going to become THE birthday cake request in our house for years to come.
Pati
Nov 05
So happy to hear, Susanne! Happy birthday to your daughter!!
Paulina Almazocasterjon
Oct 11
I can’t believe how easy it is!
Pati
Oct 13
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Sep 27
Thanks so much Pati, love the recipe and love the clear good instructions =0) God Bless.
Irene
Feb 13
Wow this is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made. I don’t have cable and rely on pbs food shows for recipes and you guys never let me down. I did use semi sweet chocolate for the frosting as I ran out of cocoa. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!!!
Pati
Feb 13
Great to hear Irene! We never tire of this cake around here…
Lynne
Dec 24
I made this was gluten free flour today, and it turned out fantastic! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
Pati
Dec 27
Yey! Thank you, Lynne. So happy to hear it works gluten free. 🙂
wanda
Sep 14
will juju’s cake work with stevia or sucralose instead of sugar?
Pati
Sep 16
It should. Give it a try and let me know how it goes…
Shannon
Jun 10
This was the most delicious cake I have ever tried. I was worried because I have not been successful in baking in the past, but I nailed it! I used dark chocolate cocoa. My boys LOVED this! Thanks so much Pati!
Pati
Jun 10
YEY!
Delores Gill
Jun 08
Made JuJu’s birthday cake for my 10 year old grandson. It was delicious!
The recipe is a keeper…moist and very tasty.
Susana
Jun 06
Hi Pati,
I was wondering if I could use whole wheat flour instead and skim milk? Will it change the texture at all?
Thank you!
Pati
Jun 07
Of course you can use it… but of course it will change the texture: give it a try and report back!
Delores Gill
May 20
The recipes from you show are amazing. i am going to make Ju Ju’s birthday cake for my grandsons upcoming birthday on May 23. Thank you for all your simple, yet delicious recipes. And the way you come across on TV is refreshing and kind.
Pati
May 20
Gracias Delores! My kids love that cake…
Ana
Apr 23
Hello Patti, I am Portuguese and love to cook and try new recipes, love Mexican food and to watch you show.
Ana
Pati
Apr 23
Gracias Ana! I’ve still to go to Portugal….
Judy
Apr 19
Is it all purpose flour or self-rising flour? I absolutely love your show. I love to listen to you talk. You have a beautiful family.
Pati
Apr 19
Thank you so much, Judy! It’s all purpose flour for the cake. I will add that to the recipe. All my very best to you.
Anna
Apr 02
Hi — I’m planning on making this cake for my daughter’s 3rd birthday. I plan to make it the night before the party (I’m actually going to frost it with a cream cheese frosting with berry puree because she wants a purple cake)! Do you recommend that I refrigerate the cake after making it or leave it room temp until I frost it before the party?
Thanks!
Pati
Apr 03
Hi Anna, that sounds like fun! You can just leave it outside the refrigerator and covered… Happy birthday to your daughter!
maria
Mar 29
Me encanto su programa!!!
Pati
Apr 01
Gracias!!
Francine
Mar 01
Hello Pati , i really enjoy watching your show , you make the best meals ever and tonight i will be making my husband and daughter this juju cake . Cant wait :))
Pati
Mar 04
I hope everyone enjoyed the cake!! 🙂
Gloria O'Brien-Garcia
Feb 24
Hi Pati,
My husband and I just love watching your show, and enjoyed the very yummy JuJu birthday cake recipe, which I will make. Is that a traditional Mexican cake recipe? I am Irish and my husband is Mexican, and I like to pass down recipes to our children from both of our heritages….Thanks, Gloria
Lourdes
Jan 23
This cake looks so good. Can I adjust for making it in cupcake form? Will that work?
thank you and love the show
Pati
Jan 24
Yes, Lourdes, of course you can adjust to make cupcakes!! Let me know how they turn out. Thank you for watching the show!!!
Sharon
Dec 22
Hi Pati,
I have a Juju too and this cake is something that I’m sure he will love!
Love ur show.
Pati Jinich
Dec 28
Oh my gosh, Sharon, you must make the cake for your Juju!! Let me know what he thinks of it!
Kathy
Nov 17
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I’ve been looking for years for a chocolate cake recipe that uses sour cream. I just finished watching this episode and quickly came here to write down the recipe….and subscribed to your newsletter.
Pati Jinich
Nov 21
Kathy! Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter!! I hope you try the recipe for JuJu’s Birthday Cake. Juju and I make it all the time.
Debbie
Nov 13
Hi Pati,
You are lovely and inspirational. I love your show and recipes!
Pati Jinich
Nov 21
Thank you, Debbie! You are so kind!!
Tamara
Oct 13
Just made this cake this evening…about to frost it. Can’t wait to taste! 🙂
Deborah
Oct 07
We saw you do the JUJU bithday cake in your TV show, and we decided to try it. The cake was a success, and is absoulutely delicious. 🙂
Pati Jinich
Oct 17
Hola Deborah, It’s so good to hear you tried the cake and enjoyed it! Thank you for watching.
Required
Oct 06
Love your show Patti the recipes look great and bringing in the family at the end of your show was really a nice touch. See you again on NET1 here in Lincoln Nebraska.
Pati Jinich
Oct 08
Hola! Thank you for watching in Lincoln!! Let me know if you try any recipes.
Favi
Sep 15
I always wanted a easy yummy cake recepie can’t wait to try it!
Pati Jinich
Sep 17
Thank you, Favi! Let me know how it turns out.
Laura
Sep 09
Wow Pati! This cake looks amazing! Saw it yesterday, and am putting it in the oven right now! Thanks for another great recipe!
Pati Jinich
Sep 11
My pleasure, Laura
Kristin
Sep 08
Is the cocoa supposed to be unsweetened or sweetened?
Pati Jinich
Sep 08
Hi Kristin, unsweetened cocoa.