Texas Strawberry Crunch Sheet Cake Food

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.

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:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a half-sheet pan (13-by-18-by-1-inch). Spread the pecans on a second half-sheet pan and bake until lightly toasted, 7 to 9 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt, and make a well in the center. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring often. Add the cocoa powder and stir well. Then add the hot coffee and boil for 30 seconds, stirring continuously. Pour the mixture into the well in the dry ingredients, then fold gently just until no traces of flour remain. Set saucepan aside without washing.
• Whisk the sour cream, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour into the chocolate mixture and fold gently until incorporated. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs, 18 to 20 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack.
• Right after the cake comes out of the oven, make the icing: Melt the butter in the reserved saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Add the cocoa and stir until smooth and bubbling, then turn off the heat. Add the milk, vanilla and confectioners' sugar, and stir until smooth. It's OK if there are tiny lumps.
• Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake and spread evenly. Sprinkle the toasted pecans all over the top and gently press into the icing. Cool completely in the pan on a rack. The cake keeps, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and in the freezer for up to 3 months. If needed, bring to room temperature before serving.