Martha Stewart Texas Sheet Cake

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Martha Stewart Texas Sheet Cake
Martha Stewart Texas Sheet Cake

Texas Sheet Cake is one of my favorite treats to make. It comes together SO FAST. You can get it done in a jiffy and it's always a winner with friends and family.

This recipe is from Martha Stewart's book "Martha's American Food: A Celebration of Our Nation's Most Treasured Dishes, from Coast to Coast". The recipe is available online with Los Angeles Magazine.

I've made a few Texas Sheet Cakes in the past. Pioneer Woman has a great one. It is thinner because you use a half-sheet pan, but you can get it done start-to-finish in less than an hour. I make her recipe often. I've also made the Better Homes & Garden version.

Martha Stewart Texas Sheet Cake
Texas Sheet Cake comes together quickly because you boil the butter, water and cocoa together for the batter, and then boil the icing or frosting while the cake is baking in the oven. Instead of waiting for the cake to cool like most other frostings, with Texas Sheet Cake, you pour the frosting on a WARM cake. Easy peasy, no?

Martha Stewart Texas Sheet Cake
I found the cake really yummy. I like baking it in a 9 x 13 pan (compared to the larger half-sheet pan) so you can make it a bit taller - more like a sheet cake instead of brownies. The baking time was very different than the recipe (recipe: 12-14 minutes, me: 21 minutes). Also, I prefer the Pioneer Woman's icing. Martha's recipe has heavy cream in the frosting - while yummy, sometimes I don't have cream in the house.

Recipe from: Martha's American Food: A Celebration of Our Nation's Most Treasured Dishes, from Coast to Coast

Texas Sheet Cake
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon coarse salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
1 cup water
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Boiled Chocolate Icing (see below)
1 ¼ cups coarsely chopped toasted pecans (I omitted the nuts)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low; whisk in cocoa, then the water. Raise heat and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Pour over flour mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Stir in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and tap firmly on counter to release air bubbles. Bake until sides pull away from edges of pan and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes (Mine took 21 minutes to bake). Transfer pan to a wire rack and pour icing over cake while still warm. (Sprinkle nuts on top, if using). Let cool before slicing into squares and serving.

Boiled Chocolate Icing

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar (I suggest sifting the powdered sugar)

Bring butter, cocoa, and cream to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and confectioners’ sugar. Use while still warm. Pour over warm cake.

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6 comments:

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

I looooove Texas sheet cake...glad to have another recipe to try. Your cake looks great - I like the idea of making the cake taller rather than wide, too. Homesick Texan's is pretty good, too.

Esi said... [Reply to comment]

I wish my oven was big enough to make a sheet cake. Would be so fun for a gathering of friends.

Eliana said... [Reply to comment]

Texas sheet cake is a winner in my house too. This one looks perfect Mary.

Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden said... [Reply to comment]

Great recipe! I adore this kind desserts! Just for my mouth - simply and delicious!

Fran@fransfavs.com said... [Reply to comment]

Just found your blog via Tracey's and am enjoying browsing. I, too, make my Texas sheet cake in a 9x13 pan and like the thicker pieces (the better to sink your teeth into!). Have you ever made a White Texas Sheet Cake? It is by far the most popular recipe on my blog. You owe it to yourself to try it! :-) http://www.fransfavs.com/2011/06/white-texas-sheet-cake/

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Thank you so much for reviewing this recipe and more importantly for the two suggestions! I bought the cookbook and just made it, after 14 minutes I was beginning to think I had done something wrong because the cake was severely underbaked! Your recommendations saved the day.

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