Texas Chocolate Cake

Lori Carney sent in the classic Texas sheet cake, and the two things that make it work are both about heat. The butter, Crisco, cocoa and water get boiled and poured over the dry ingredients, and the frosting goes on while the cake is still hot in the pan so it sets into the top rather than sitting on it.

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 stick butter
• ½ cup Crisco
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting

• 1 stick butter
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 box powdered sugar

Instructions

Cake

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour and sugar.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring the butter, Crisco, cocoa and water to a boil.
3. Pour over the flour and sugar mixture and stir well.
4. Add the buttermilk, eggs, soda, cinnamon and vanilla and mix well.
5. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 pan and bake 25 minutes at 400°F.

Frosting

1. In a medium saucepan, melt together the butter, cocoa and milk and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and powdered sugar.
3. Beat well and spread on the cake while it's still hot and in the pan.