Chocolate Sheet Cake

Ree Drummond's blog, a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman was one of the first food blogs I discovered.  Her blog has been around for a long time and I have been reading it for a long time.  Not only is she hilarious, but her recipes are so good!

When her first cookbook came out in 2009 I had to have it.  Then when I found out she was going to be at a local bookstore I had to be there!  It was so exciting to see her in person!

This cake is to. die. for.  It is moist and chocolaty and I could seriously eat my way out of a tub of the frosting!  This isn't exactly what I would consider a "quick" cake to make because there are quite a few steps involved, but boy is it worth it! 

I definitely think you should make this cake for your next gathering (or your next chocolate craving).  Your family and friends will bow down at your feet and will love you forever!

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake.  Ever.
via The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 2 cups Flour
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 2 sticks Butter
• 1 cup Boiling Water
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk
• 2 whole Beaten Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• _____
• FOR FROSTING:
• 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1-3/4 stick Butter
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 6 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

Note: I use an 18x13 sheet cake pan.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.
Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.
In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.