CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE

Here is a family favorite to finish off “CAKE WEEK”!  I will be making this for Father’s Day on Sunday.  This cake is my husband’s favorite—and usually ends up being his birthday cake.  Every family seems to have their own version of it.  Some families add pecans or walnuts to the frosting.  My Mother calls it the “puzzle cake” because some want the corner piece while others prefer the center.  After everyone gets their favorite piece the sheet cake definitely looks like a jigsaw puzzle in progress.  I hope you enjoy this recipe with your family!

1 cup water                      

2 sticks margarine

4 T. cocoa

*Bring ingredients to a boil.

*Whisk together the following ingredients and then pour in the cocoa mixture.

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar                    

1 t. soda

1 t. salt

*Add the following to the cocoa and flour mixture.

½ cup buttermilk

1 ½ t. vanilla

*Add the following to the batter and stir just until blended well.

3 eggs-beaten

*Spray 11x15 aluminum pan with PAM (or a pyrex baking dish).

*Pour batter into pan and bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  *Test for doneness—remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before frosting.

Frosting:

1 stick margarine

4 T. cocoa                          

6 T. Buttermilk

2 t. vanilla

*Bring the frosting ingredients to a boil and then pour over

one bag of powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add vanilla and extra buttermilk if needed to thin.  Pour over slightly warm cake.

CAUTION:

Be careful not to overmix this cake.  I mix it by hand and just until the ingredients are well blended.