Chocolate Sheet Cake

I made this cake for my sister's 18th birthday party this past weekend. It's a huge sheet cake so it's perfect for a big crowd! The cake itself is kind of a cross between a brownie and chocolate cake, and the icing is amazing - the pecans give it a really nice crunch. The best part is that it is so fast to make because you don't have to worry about letting the cake cool before icing it. Definitely make this to bring to your next BBQ this summer!

Cake Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. (heaping) Cocoa

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Icing Ingredients:

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

1 and 3/4 stick butter

4 Tbsp. (heaping) cocoa

6 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3-3 and 1/2 cups icing sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in the center of oven.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa to the butter and stir together until well combined.

Add the boiling water to the butter and cocoa mixture, allow it to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over the flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool. Set aside

In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the chocolate mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into a large sheet cake pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. When the cake is out of the oven, place on a wire rack to cool slightly. Do not remove the cake from the sheet pan.

While cake is baking, make the icing. First, chop the pecans finely. Then, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add in the cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and icing sugar. Stir together and add in the pecans. Stir until all ingredients are well combined, then pour the icing over the warm cake. Spread the icing evenly over the cake with a rubber spatula. It will firm up as it cools.

Cut into squares and enjoy!

*Recipe from The Pioneer Woman