Spicy Texas Sheet Cake Food

TEXAS SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; butter the bottom and sides of a 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-inch jelly roll pan.
• Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until combined. Whisk the sour cream, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl or large liquid measuring cup until smooth. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, add the butter, cocoa powder and 1 cup water to a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is completely melted, about 5 minutes.
• Pour the melted butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the sour cream mixture in 2 additions until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool slightly in the pan.
• For the frosting: Combine the pecans, butter and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted and the pecans are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla and remove from the heat. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar in 2 batches, alternating with the milk and mixing well after each addition.
• Immediately pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and gently spread to cover. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

TEXAS SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 375°F.
• To make the cake, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa. Add the oil and water and bring to a rolling boil for 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl, then whisk the ingredients by hand to ensure they are well mixed. Pour the warm cocoa mixture into the sifted ingredients and whisk until just combined. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula, stir the buttermilk mixture into the batter. Pour the batter into the greased pan and place in the center of the oven. Bake until the top is firm and a wooden skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, 32 to 35 minutes.
• While the cake is in the oven, make the frosting: melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa and bring the mixture to a rolling boil; boil for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the milk and vanilla. Add the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time while whisking continuously. Immediately after the cake comes out of the oven, pour the frosting over the hot cake and sprinkle with the nuts. Try not to jiggle the cake before it sets or you'll leave waves in the frosting. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
• Well wrapped and stored at room temperature, this cake keeps for up to 5 days.

SPICY TEXAS SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil; butter the foil.
• Toast the chiles in a dry medium saucepan over medium heat until darkened and pliable, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add 1 cup water and soak until the chiles soften, about 5 more minutes. Transfer the chiles and soaking liquid to a blender and puree. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve back into the saucepan. Finely chop any chile pieces left in the sieve and add to the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, whisk the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt and baking powder together in a large bowl; set aside.
• Add the butter and cocoa powder to the saucepan with the chile puree; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and baking soda together in a liquid measuring cup; stir into the batter in two additions until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool slightly in the pan.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Combine the pecans, butter, cayenne and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the pecans are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Remove 1/2 cup pecans with a slotted spoon and set aside for topping. Stir the cocoa powder into the saucepan and remove from the heat. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar in two batches, alternating with the milk, mixing well after each addition.
• Immediately pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and gently spread to cover. Top with the reserved pecans and let cool completely before slicing.

WHITE TEXAS SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place one cup butter and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Remove saucepan from heat and stir in flour, sugar, eggs, sour cream, almond extract, salt, and baking soda until smooth.
• Pour batter into a baking sheet (18 x 13 x 1-inch) sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
• Bake for 20-22 minutes or until cake is golden brown. Let cool for 20-30 minutes.
• For the frosting, cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla together.
• Add powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
• Top with sprinkles, if desired.