Remember chocolate Texas Cake. I don’t know where it originated. I just know it has been around for years. I remember seeing it in a community cookbook. You know the ones with a spiral binding sold by the little league or the church club or PTA. I just remember when I was very young it was at every barbecue and every fish fry, and every community picnic. I am not sure why it is called Texas Cake unless it is big as Texas. It is made in a halfsheet pan. I just know it has staying power and for that reason alone it deserves acknowledgment.
What is so great about it is, besides that it taste good, it is so simple to put together, and almost no skills required. This is an ideal cake if you have a young one learning to bake.
I forgot to take photos of the mise en place, but I did remember to catch one while mixing. This cake goes together a little differently than most where you cream the sugar and butter, then add eggs and vanilla, and then the dry, alternating wet and dry, ending in dry. With this cake you mix all the dry in a bowl, you mix the wet in another bowl, and you mix the cocoa, butter, and warm water in another bowl. Then combine all; the buttermilk/egg/vanilla mixture last.
The frosting is cooked to bring the cocoa, butter together, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and nuts. I toasted the pecans for seven minutes before adding them to the frosting just to squeeze out a little more flavor.
It will feed a crowd. It is inexpensive. It is chocolate so you can count on it being one of the first cakes to go. It is minimal work.
Now that I have downsized I halved the recipe. I make it in a quarter-sheetpan. It still makes a lot of cake, but I can usually convince company to take a slice or two home.
If you are looking for a trouble free dessert make this cake. It will free you up to make a little more complicated main course. If you don’t want to make something more complicated, then it will give you time to put your feet up before company arrives.
If it is your turn to provide dessert think about taking this along. You will be a star.
- CAKE:
- Cooking Spray
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cups water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
- ½ cup low-fat buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- FROSTING:
- 12 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup low fat (2%) milk (and a bit more if needed)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans (or way more, like a cup to 1½ cups)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Mise en place ~ Gather Ingredients
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Coat a 15 x 10 inch jellyroll pan with spray.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl: stir well with a whisk.
- In a small bowl, stir buttermilk, vanilla and eggs and give it a little stir.
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, the butter and ¼ cup of cocoa.
- Bring the saucepan to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Remove it from the heat.
- Pour the hot chocolate mixture into flour mixture: stir to incorporate.
- At first it looks rather stiff, but with a few more turns of the wrist it comes together.
- Add the buttermilk mixture; until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 17 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Place the pan on a wire rack.
- Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Spread on hot cake. Cool.
I toasted the pecans in the oven to increase the flavor.
I am taking this to
Susan’s at Metamorphosis Monday
Sarah’s at Make The Scene Monday
Jane’s at Melt In Your Mouth
Chandra’s at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
Kayla at Sweet Sharing Monday
Ali’s at Recipe Sharing Monday
Debbie’s at Confessions of a Plate Addict
Megin’ at Brag About It
Linda’s at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Marty’s at Inspire Me Tuesday
Lauren’s at Off The Hook Link Party
Wanda Ann’s at Tuesday Trivia
Maria’s at Tuesdays At Our Home
Kathe ‘s at Your Gonna Love It Tuesday
Alice’s at Empty Your Archive
Kim’s at Wow Us Wednesday
Sherry’s at Open House Party
Ashley’s at What’s In The Kitchen
Yvonne’s at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS
Dana’s at Two Girls and A Party
Sherry’s at Home Sweet Home
Lindsay’s at Show And Share
The Style Sister’s Centerpiece Wednesdays
Jann’s at Share Your Cup
Leslie’s at Create It Thursday
Miz Helen’s at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Liz at The Brambleberry Cottage
Debra’s at Be Inspired Friday
Cindy’s at Show and Tell Friday
Michael’s at Foodie Friday
Ruthie’s at Show and Tell
Leigh Anne’s at Finding the Pretty and Delicious
Linda’s at What To Do Weekend
Paula’s at Saturday Dishes
Natasha’s at G’Day Saturday
Shauna’s at The Weekend re-Treat
Ms. Scaper’s at The Tablescaper
Aimee’s at Twigg Studios
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Carole’s at Carole’s Chatter
Chrystal’s at Ladies Only
Jamie’s at Social Sunday
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Yes…I remember that cake! It’s so good and moist! Thanks for sharing the recipe since I am not sure if I have it anywhere! Hugs…Debbie
Savannah Granny says
I too, remember that cake. I had misplaced my recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it today. I can make this for my Bunco group the month and will have tie to put up my feet for a few seconds before the girls arrive.
Thanks again, Ginger
Savannah Granny says
Wow, did I ever miss some keys while typing. I will make this cake for my Bunco group THIS month and will have TIME to put up my feet.
xoGinger
Ms. Lemon says
Sometimes autocorrect is a little too helpful. My niece told me she did not care for the cinnamon so I thought I might try a little instant espresso since I heard that it enhances the chocolate. Then she emailed me and said it was really rich and creamy so I think it is good either way. I hope your guest enjoy.
Anita says
This is a cake you can count on being good and feeding a crowd, love this one!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks for visiting. I hope you will make it soon.
Christina from PlayEatGrow.com says
I love Texas sheet cake! Thanks for reminding me that this treat is simple to put together…and delicious, too!
Ms. Lemon says
The recipe has been around for forever probably because it is so easy.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
It looks yummy and your teapot is gorgeous.
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you for visiting. I got the pot in a box of stuff no one wanted at an estate sale. Along with some lonely plates that are just wonderful. I paid $1 for all. That does not happen to me often, but I skipped home that day.
Jayne says
I’ve never had this cake and never heard of it till now! Think that’s because I’m up in New England. But it looks delicious and will be perfect to bring to a picnic. I love cinnamon and that combined with the chocolate and pecans makes my mouth water!!!
The Café Sucre Farine says
YUM! Even though I just made this, I’m craving it again after looking at your photos! I had to laugh because I made mine in two pans and froze one thinking we’d have too much cake. The next day the first cake was GONE and we were pulling the second one out. That one lasted even less time and the little ones didn’t even get any so it can’t be blamed on them! Yes, Texas cake is always a winner! Love your toasted pecans!
Ms. Lemon says
I can’t believe you would comment about my photos since you two are the champions. I only wish I could be half the photographer as Scott. I would love to learn to make that drizzle you make on your cakes.
bj says
I grew up on Texas Sheet Cake and still make it to this day. I take it to home fellowship gatherings, I serve it at Thanksgiving, Christmas and “JUST BECAUSE….
It’s my favorite cake in the whole wide world….and not because my mama made it for me nearly all my LOOOONG life but because it’s just. good. cake.
Over from Mrs. Olson’s…
and I looked for a Google Friends Connect link that I could follow you thru but didn’t find it…???
Ms. Lemon says
I haven’t had it for years, but it was fun rediscovering it.
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines says
One of my all time, take along, favorite cakes:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks for visiting. Yes, it is one of the best to take to a gathering.
SwedishCornerDownUnder...Pernilla says
Always fun with new recipes – one can never have too many chocolate cake recipes lol
Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
Ms. Lemon says
Welcome Pernilla, Thank you for stopping by. Please try the cake, there is a reason it has been around for years. 🙂
Monique says
It looks particularly appetizing on that beaded plate:)
Love half recipes!
Jann Olson says
Oh. yes, the famous Texas sheet cake. I remember people making it a lot. Even though I don’t really care for chocolate cake a piece of this now and then really does hit the spot. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Ms. Lemon says
I am a lemon girl myself, but every once in a while. If you take to an outing others will love you.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I’m having house guests all next week and I’m sure they would enjoy the tasty cake. 🙂
Lilly's Mom says
Oh, this looks so yummy. And, yes it does bring back memories. The addition of the pecans is a great idea.
The Tablescaper says
Yummm!
Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
Miz Helen says
This is a great cake and one of my kids favorites, our family just loves this classic! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Ms. Lemon says
This has been fun to revive this old recipe.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
I love this recipe, it is so yummy good. Thanks for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Anyonita says
Oh, I remember Texas sheet cake from my childhood! You always knew it was going t be a good party or church fellowship when someone walked in with a Texas sheet cake! 🙂 lol I’ve never tried to make one on my own before, and I’m really intrigued in giving your recipe a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I followed you here from the party at plaid & paisley kitchen, btw. Also, I’d like to invite you to link up with me at Tasty Tuesdays: http://goo.gl/c0vwvN
Shauna - The Best Blog Recipes says
This looks like such a yummy cake! Thanks for linking up your post to The Weekend re-Treat on The Best Blog Recipes last weekend!
Wanted to stop by and pin your post to my Link Party Recipes/Craft Boards.
Hope to see you at the party that just went live tonight 🙂
Shauna
http://thebestblogrecipes.com/
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
I have never made this but will need to now – it looks deelish!!
Ms. Lemon says
I hope you will try it soon. It is so easy and it is deelish.
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a good week and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Debra @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I remember an aunt of my ex making this cake for family get togethers. I am enjoying your blog. And I have to get the heck off of it right this minute as you are making me too hungry 🙂
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you for visiting. I am delighted, please come back.
Lucy says
I’m pretty sure I’ve had this exact cake or at least one very similiar. My mother-in-law makes it but it’s not called Texas Cake, which I find kind of funny since we are in Texas. Anyways, it looks delicious and I’m pinning it. Maybe I’ll surprise my mother-in-law and make it for her.
Thanks for linking up to Saturday Dishes.
Ms. Lemon says
Glad you like it. What does your mil call it?