Texas Sheet Cake

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cake:

1 cup butter

1 cup water

¼ cup cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

⅛ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Icing:

½ cup butter

¼ cup cocoa powder

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk

1 box (1 pound) confectioners’ sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature by the time your batter is ready.

Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a large sheet cake pan or jelly roll pan. A 13×18 inch pan works well for this recipe.

Combine Butter, Water, and Cocoa: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of butter, 1 cup of water, and ¼ cup of cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to let it boil for too long.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are well combined and helps prevent lumps in the batter.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Carefully pour the hot butter mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously to prevent the eggs from cooking. The hot mixture helps dissolve the sugar and creates a smooth batter.

Add Eggs and Baking Soda: Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Then, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well. The baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise.

Incorporate Sour Cream and Vanilla: Add ½ cup of sour cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined. The sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cake.

Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared sheet cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be set and slightly pulling away from the edges of the pan …