Easy (and Yummy) Chocolate Sheet Cake

The Texan here. This weekend was a special occasion in our house. It's rare that I have all of my kids and grand kids home at the same time, so this was really a treat. Of course, I made sure they were well fed. Naturally, our big meal was Sunday. We had smoked brisket and chicken, corn on the cob, fried potatoes, cabbage, homemade guacamole, and the list goes on. So when I realized I'd forgotten about dessert, I went for an old stand-by. One sure to please every palate. You can never go wrong with this easy chocolate sheet cake.

Over the years, I've seen this recipe called by many different names, with slight variations to the recipe. Usually the fat. All use some butter or margarine. From there, some add more butter, some shortening, others oil. I generally use oil, but the choice is up to you, because the amount does not differ.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 C (or one stick) butter or margarine
• 3 T cocoa
• 1/2 C oil (or butter, or shortening--whatever floats your boat)
• 1 C water
• 2 eggs
• 2 C sugar
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 2 C flour
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 t vanilla

First, read entire the recipe and directions before starting. Y'all have no idea how many times I've gotten myself into trouble because I've failed to adhere to this rule.

In a medium sauce pan, bring butter, cocoa, water, and oil to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.

While mixture is cooking, add eggs to sugar and mix well.

Be sure to give your cocoa mixture a stir.

Now add buttermilk, flour, soda, and vanilla, to eggs and sugar mixture and beat well. This will be thick and kinda stiff.

Once your cocoa mixture has come to a boil, add to above and blend well, making sure to scrape sides and bottom of bowl.

Pour into greased and floured sheet cake pan, tilting pan until batter is evenly spread.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.

While cake is baking, prepare frosting. For that, you will need:

• 1/2 C (or one stick) of butter or margarine
• 6 T buttermilk
• 2 T cocoa
• 1 box (or 4 1/2 C) powdered sugar
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 C chopped pecans or walnuts

In a large saucepan, bring butter, buttermilk, and cocoa to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, if not constantly. 

When mixture comes to a boil, add powdered sugar and vanilla, stirring until smooth.

Stir in nuts.

By now, your cake should be done.

Pour frosting over HOT cake, spreading to edges.

Voila! An entire cake ready in less than an hour.

However, once cooled, it may not last long.

What a fun time we all had together. That is, until Grammy started taking WAY too many pictures. Oh, but what treasured memories for all. None of which had to do with cake.





Is food a big part of your family gatherings? Is there one person that usually does all the cooking, or does everyone have their part?

Happy Tuesday, y'all.