Submitted by:
Valerie Wallen
Category:
Dessert
Country of Origin:
United States
Cook time:
45 minutes
Serves:
20
Ingredients:
Cake:
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Icing:
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Steps:
For the cake:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Coat a 15" x 10" jelly-roll pan with cooking spray, and dust with 2 teaspoons flour. Set prepared pan aside.
3. Combine 2 cups flour with the sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk and set aside.
4. Combine water, 1/2 cup butter, and 1/4 cup cocoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
5. Remove cocoa mixture from heat and pour into flour mixture.
5. Beat batter with a hand mixer at medium speed until well-blended.
6. Add buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and eggs and beat well.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan.
8. Bake for 17 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
9. Place cake on a wire rack.
For the icing:
1. Combine 6 tablespoons of butter with milk and 1/4 cup cocoa in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in powdered sugar, pecans, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
3. Spread icing over hot cake.
4. Cool completely on wire rack.
What makes this recipe special?
I transferred to a university in Texas during my sophomore year of college. I was trying to make friends and learn how things were done differently in the Southwest verses the Midwest region of the United States. My best friend’s family served me Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake when I visited. I realized from that time on that chocolate appeals to everyone and dessert brings people together.
Additional notes:
Note: You can also make this recipe in a 13" x 9" baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 22 minutes.
The pecans can be left out of the icing recipe for anyone who doesn’t want nuts in the recipe.