Texas Sheet Cake: A Professional Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Icing:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a large baking sheet pan to prepare it for the cake batter.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter, vegetable oil, and cocoa powder together over medium heat. Once the mixture is fully melted and combined, stir in the boiling water. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated.
4. In a small mixing bowl, beat the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract together. Add this to the cake batter and mix well until smooth.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. While the cake is baking, prepare the icing. In a saucepan, melt the butter, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract together over medium heat. Once melted and smooth, remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar until the icing is well mixed and free of lumps.
7. Once the cake has finished baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the icing over the hot cake, spreading it evenly.
8. Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting and serving.