Cindy’s Mom Texas Sheet Cake
BE READY TO GET LASSOED
Heads up friends… This would be my most picture-packed post. Well, it’s almost Valentine’s Day, so why not have sweet pictures to go along the sweet treat my sweet friend Cindy made, right? That’s taking sweetness to a whole new level! Sweet 🙂
I’ve known Cindy for a while now. Our friendship stemmed off our kids’ “brotherhood” about 6 years ago. Our sibling-like families in a lot of ways take care of each other. I asked Cindy if we could ‘play’ in the kitchen sometime. She bakes, I photograph. And she was totally ecstatic! Cindy is a baking queen and she loves kids… So, I thought we should bake a fun loving cake for Valentine’s Day. May be something that’s passed down from her family.
This Texas Sheet Cake she mentioned was always made by Cindy’s Mom for any type of parties. Especially for Valentine’s Day. Growing up, her mom who was a school teacher like Cindy, always prepared this cake. So, obviously, unlike my family who did not celebrate the “love” day; they made it a big deal. The day was filled with lots of heart-shaped candies and other sweet treats. The kids would come home to a fun, fully decorated Texas Sheet Cake. That tradition is carried out to this day. She diligently made it for her three children. Imagine how spoiled you could be coming home to a warm, gooey, festively sprinkled chocolate cake? I would be 🙂
So, today I ran to her beautiful, massive house in the burbs. Frenzied, I arrived late. The 45 minute commute was not very friendly. And as always, Cindy was patiently waiting. She got all her hand-me-down bowls and linens from her family ready. As she was baking, we talked about our busy life, kids with all of their activities, and most of all her wonderful childhood. Last but not least, we chatted about the guy she’s been married to for almost 2 decades. The funny, hard working, frequent flier, and lately, outdoorsman Mike. Hi Mike!
This chocolate sheet cake friends, is moist, and Cindy definitely does not skimp on butter and sugar. Yes, it’s a pretty naughty cake, I’m telling you. But, come on… it’s Valentine’s Day. You’re excused to have a naughty sweet, aren’t you? The good thing is guys, you can make this not only FOR but WITH your kids. They would love the almost-instant gratification: easy, chocolatey, fast and festive!
Guys, if you make this dessert for this Valentine’s Day, you’re guaranteed to have a sweet one. xoxoxo.
- For cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup buttermilk (or sour cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- For icing
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 6½ tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 16 ounces confectioners' sugar
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a half sheet rimmed baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk in cocoa blend until smooth, and add water. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and whisk until combined. Pour in flour mixture and then cocoa mixture and mix until well incorporated. Pour batter into prepared baking sheet and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the icing: Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. Whisk in cocoa powder until well combined. Remove from the heat then add milk and vanilla. Slowly add confectioners sugar, whisking until smooth. Stir in marshmallows. Pour over warm cake and spread with a spatula.
