by Kathy Hamman Miller
The Texas Sheet Cake recipe I have was brought back from Texas in 1953, handwritten by my Mom, who has used it consistently over the years. As a matter of fact, my grandson asked for it to be served at his recent graduation party. A family favorite for sure.
Where the sheet cake recipe first came from is questionable. Some people say it may have first been shown in a Texas newspaper, which is why it was called “Texas” sheet cake, while others claim the name comes from the fact that it’s the size of Texas. Everything’s bigger in Texas, right?
I did find a recipe in the Allegan County Cook Book “The Taste of America” also, that is almost the same. I’m going to share the Texas recipe because that’s what I’ve always used, but would like to share the Michigan recipe in the photo. Both are remarkable! Enjoy!
Texas Sheet Cake Ingredients and Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Mix well or sift together well:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons “1/4 cup” cocoa
Setting this aside
Get the rest of your ingredients around. Combine and melt in large measuring cup, in microwave – or in sauce pan on the stove – this will and should end up being hot.
1 cup water
2 sticks “1 cup” butter or margarine
Pour the melted butter with the water over flour and sugar mixture while hot mixing well. Add in and mix well:
1/2 cup buttermilk – this can be made with a splash of vinegar in regular milk if you don’t have this on hand.
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Place in a greased 18 x 13 baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Apply icing when it comes out of the oven, right away.
Frosting Ingredients:
1 stick “1/2 cup” butter or margarine
4 tablespoons “1/4 cup” cocoa
A 16 ounce box of powdered sugar
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Frosting Instructions:
In a saucepan melt the butter, remove from heat and mix in cocoa, stir in together with milk, and vanilla. Combine the box of confectioners sugar stirring until smooth. Immediately frost the sheet cake when it comes out of oven. Enjoy!