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Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

It’s hard to find anything better than a great chocolate cake. A soft tender crumb with deep, rich chocolate notes and touched with a wisp of cinnamon. Topped with a thin, delicate coating of chocolate icing, it's one of the simplest cakes to make and truly one of the best you'll ever taste!
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • 13" x 9" x 3" baking pan

Ingredients
  

  • For the cake:
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • For the icing:
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted before measuring
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • For the cake:
  • Preheat the oven to 400-degrees. In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour and sugar together.
  • Combine the butter, shortening, water, and the cocoa powder in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the butter and shortening have melted. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
  • Add the chocolate mixture to the flour and sugar, whisking until smooth.
  • Pour in the buttermilk along with the eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and cinnamon, whisking until the mixture is blended and smooth.
  • Pour the batter into a 13” x 9” baking pan that has been lightly greased or sprayed with a cooking spray. Bake at 400-degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cake tests done.
  • While the cake cools, make the icing:
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the milk and the cocoa powder, over medium heat until the butter has melted.
  • Removefrom the heat and add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, whisking intothe chocolate mixture.
  • Add the vanilla extract, whisking until the icing is smooth.
  • Pour over the cake while it is still slightly warm, spreading to cover evenly. Allow to cool before cutting.

Notes

Always sift powdered sugar before adding it to your base for the icing or frosting. This removes any lumps giving you a smooth, finished product.