My name is Jo Pearson.  One day, in 2012, I was making sourdough pancakes and had a craving for cupcakes.  I looked in my cupboard and was distraught to find I did not have the ingredients to make them.  My eyes fell on my pancake batter and an idea was formed.  I played with that batter, tweaking the recipe, and wound up with moist and delicious Sourdough Pancake Cupcakes. I decided they needed some stellar icing to match, so I created my Maple Buttercream.  My husband, children, family, friends, and neighbors all agreed they were amazing, which gave me the encouragement to try out some more recipes.   

I began selling out of my home under the Cottage Food Law and over the course of three years expanded my flavor options to over 30 cake and 30 icing recipes. During this time, I began peddling my wares at the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market every weekend. During the 5 years at the Market and expanding my flavor options to well over 100, I had hit the point where a storefront was the only way I could reach more people with these delicious, unique, artisan baked goods. This was the need that pushed me to open Jo’s Oven in a food trailer. With the food trailer I was able to stay open year-round. However, after 5 winters, an expanding food selection and increased foot traffic it was time to make another change. So, February 2023 marked the opening of Jo’s Oven in a brick-and-mortar establishment. 

 My recipes are all original, all written by me, and all use my 20-year-old sourdough which has some serious character behind it.  The sourdough lends my unique cupcakes a rich flavor while keeping them moist.  Many hours have been put into keeping my sourdough alive and thriving for these 20 years. As well as the time and effort put into my recipes to ensure they are all perfectly balanced, and enjoyable.   I am constantly adding to my repertoire and enjoy creating new flavor combinations.