Chocolate Sheet Cake
This traditional country dessert goes by Texas Sheet Cake—even Church Ladies Cake. Whatever you call it, it’s a perfect (and perfectly scrumptious) addition to your next barbecue or picnic.
Serves 1 17x12-inch cake.
Ingredients
| Cake | ||
| 2 | cups | flour |
| 2 | cups | sugar |
| 1 | teaspoon | salt |
| 1 | cup | unsalted butter |
| 1/2 | cup | Dutch processed cocoa |
| 1 | cup | strong, hot coffee |
| 1/2 | cup | sour cream |
| 2 | large | eggs |
| 1 | teaspoon | vanilla |
| 1 | teaspoon | baking soda |
| Frosting | ||
| 1-3/4 | sticks | unsalted butter |
| 6 | tablespoons | milk |
| 1/8 | teaspoon | salt |
| 1/2 | cup | Dutch processed cocoa |
| 4 | cups | powdered sugar |
| 1 1 |
teaspoon cup |
vanilla pecans |
You may also use buttermilk or crème fraise in place of sour cream.
Directions
Set out a 17x12-inch baking sheet or jelly roll pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa and coffee and beat until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat.
- Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir.
- Whisk the sour cream, eggs, vanilla and baking soda together in a bowl. Pour into the batter and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overbeat.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
- Remove the air bubbles by banging the pan firmly against the counter, then run a knife quickly through the batter to remove any remaining bubbles.
- Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While the cake is cooking, prepare the frosting: Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Add the milk and cocoa and whisk until smooth while bringing to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts; keep warm until ready to use.
- When the cake is ready, use a toothpick to poke random holes across the surface.
- Spread hot frosting evenly across the cake and allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Preparation Time:
less than 60 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling time.
