Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Chocolate Sheet Cake - Since You Asked

2 cups sifted flour                            
2 cups sugar                                     
1 tsp soda                                              
1 teaspoon cinnamon                                                                                                   
 2 sticks margarine
1 cup water                                       
4 tablespoons cocoa                               
1/2 cup buttermilk                                                                            S
2 eggs well beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

Icing
1 stick margarine (I use butter)
4 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar - sometimes I add more powdered sugar to make icing thicker :)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 13 x 9 - 2 inch deep pan ( I use one slightly larger)
Sift together flour, sugar, soda and cinnamon.  Place in small saucepan margarine,  water
cocoa and bring to boil, pour into flour mixture and mix well.  Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla,  Pour into  prepared pan and bake for 25 - 30 minutes (until springs back when touched - cake will be soft)
Spread with warm icing.

Icing -  while cake is baking - place margarine or butter, cocoa, and milk in small saucepan, mix and bring to boil.  Remove from heat and add sugar, vanilla, nuts.  If too thick, add some more milk.  Spread on warm sheet cake.



From "The Nashville Cookbook" Specialties of Cumberland Region -   my copy I wrote inside when I bought in 1976.  At that time I lived at the Old Farm House with my youngest daughter "Jamie" and my only son.   Oh - time - where have you gone....
 
I have made this cake more times then I can remember.  Always a favorite and never fails to receive
compliments.

Hint - I rarely keep buttermilk on hand - I put vinegar in the milk and let it sit 5 minutes.

12 comments:

Beverly said...

That looks larapin....a made up word by my sil...
Delicious! I love chocolate. Wish I had a big slice of that!

the wild magnolia said...

Delightful, decadent, chocccccccccccolate! You are a dear to share. I've never tried the vinegar thing. Looks yummy and I love the recipe.

Happy Weekend even though when retired every day seems the same.

((hugs)) and happiness!

Anonymous said...

Oh -- this is the same recipe I've used for years. While in Texas, I heard it called "Texas Sheet Cake." But I grew up knowing it by the name used by Aunt Jo -- "Brownie Sheet Cake."

Whatever it's called, it's a wonderful recipe, though I don't bake it without a crowd coming. Never thought about freezing it -- I suppose I could divide in thirds if I wished.

Hope your Saturday has begun like mine -- crystal clear with sparkles all over...

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Janelle, since it is winter and I cannot garden - I get im the mood to bake. Do not like store bought items and this freezes well. I kept out a dozen pieces and will not share how much I have already ate :)
Sandra, thank you and continue to enjoy this traveling life. Guess I do not want to go anywhere :)
Beverly, thanks for the word...

Balisha said...

i got this recipe from the little daughter of a friend of mine. I still have it.... written on notebook paper with chocolate spatters on it. She called it Texas Pan Cake. It was made in a jelly roll pan. It's a favorite of just about everyone in our family.
Balisha

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

This looks delicious, and knowing it can be frozen, makes it even better.

Thank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha, thanks for visiting.
FL - yes at present time most is in the freezer :)

lil red hen said...

Yum! Yum! Save a piece for me! I rarely bake cakes anymore; Popa and I don't need the sugar.

shannon said...

Thank you!!!

Nan said...

Will be trying this, and soon!! Always butter for me. :<)
Before I had access to great buttermilk, I did this with the milk too, only I used lemon juice.

Sky said...

thnx so much!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Charlotte, Sky, Shannon, your welcome. Nan, I use both - vinegar and lemon juice since I rarely have buttermilk on hand.
Can really tell no differance.