Texas - Texas Sheet Cake

They say "Everything's big in Texas" and that might be why this huge chocolate cake is called Texas Sheet Cake!  While not everyone in Texas calls their go-to, family chocolate sheet cake a Texas Sheet Cake, they most likely have some version of this cake in their baking arsenal.  Maybe they call it Aunt Peggy's chocolate cake, but all of these recipes can be pulled together quickly, make a big cake and are a great way to share warm, Texas hospitality.


This particular Texas Sheet Cake has a good dose of cinnamon in it giving it a little Tex-Mex flare. 


for the cake

for the icing

ingredients
for the cake:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa 
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

for the icing:

1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter
3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

recipe

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan
• sift the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder and salt twice, set aside
• add vanilla extract to buttermilk and set aside
• cream butter at medium speed for about 3 minutes
• add the sugar in a steady stream with the mixer running and cream for 4 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl once
• add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, with the mixer running and continue beating for 2 minutes
• remove the bowl from the mixer and stir in the oil, mixing well
• fold in half of the flour mixture with a rubber spatula then add half the buttermilk and stir well
• repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk until batter is completely mixed
• pour batter into pan and bake for approximately 40 minutes
• make icing while cake is baking
• mix the milk and cocoa in a large saucepan, and stir until smooth
• add the butter, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until butter melts
• remove from heat, and stir in confectioners sugar and vanilla
• beat until smooth
• stir in pecans
• when cake comes out of the oven, spread icing on the hot cake
• serve warm or at room temperature 

Good grief!  Pour yourself some milk, dig in and don't mess with Texas! Delish!!!! 

Enjoy!

mbf