Game Day Provisions
The Technique
Double Pecan Texas Sheet Cake
Texas sheet cake is one of those iconic desserts guests go wild for & when offered on game day, you better believe there will not be a crumb left in the pan. The key in preparing a good one lies in the cake texture so blending it as little as possible will produce the best results. Then there’s the frosting. The old-fashioned chocolate icing is prepared on the stove top & poured over the cake surface once baked. Have all of the ingredients measured & the utensils available in order to achieve a beautiful finish quickly. A second helping of toasted pecans will need to be added while the frosting is warm in order for them to adhere. Double Pecan Texas Sheet Cake may be left in the pan & covered loosely with aluminum foil then carried to campus when tailgating under the tent. If temperatures are still scorching, refrigerate the cake up to a day ahead of time & place it in the top portion of a food cooler to keep the icing from getting too warm during transit. Remove it just before serving. Learn how to make a cake ideal for football socials & an array of casual gatherings.
Double Pecan Texas Sheet Cake
makes 12 servings
The Basic Fundamentals
The cake will bake close to the top of the pan leaving just enough room for a thin layer of Pecan-Chocolate Frosting to be spread over the surface. Be certain to level the batter in the pan well before baking for an even rise.
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pecan-Chocolate Frosting
2 Tbsp finely chopped, toasted pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over Medium-Low heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder, then whisk in the water until smooth. Cook the mixture a minute or two, just until steam begins to rise from the surface. Turn off the heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, the sugar, the baking soda & the salt in a large bowl. Combine the buttermilk, the egg & the vanilla in a small bowl.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture, whisking to incorporate. Whisk in the buttermilk mixture. Pour the cake batter into a greased & floured 13 x 9-inch quarter sheet pan & spread evenly to the pan edges. Drop the pan an inch from the counter surface 3 times for an even rise. Bake 20 minutes or until set & the cake begins to pull away from the pan edges. Cool 30 minutes. Prepare the Pecan-Chocolate Frosting as directed. Immediately pour over the cake & spread to the pan edges. Sprinkle with the pecans. Cool completely.
The Extra Point
Serve the cake for a variety of celebrations from birthdays to casual supper club gatherings.
Pecan-Chocolate Frosting
makes about 1 1/3 cups
The Basic Fundamentals
Once the frosting has been prepared, spread it immediately over the surface for the smoothest base recipe texture.
3 Tbsp butter, cut into pieces
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup finely chopped, toasted pecans
Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over Medium-Low heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder & the milk until smooth. Remove from the heat. Add the powdered sugar & the vanilla. Beat with an electric hand mixer until blended & smooth. Fold in the pecans. Use immediately as directed.
The Extra Point
The frosting may be drizzled over Buttermilk Pound Cake or vanilla sheet cake for equally delicious results.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Properly Measure Flour
The lightest texture of a cake depends so much on how the flour is measured, therefore technique is everything. Follow these pointers for success in your own kitchen.
The Technique
Use a spoon to lift & release the flour a few times from the container it is being stored in. Next, spoon the flour into the measuring cup being certain to use one specifically designed for dry ingredients. Swipe a level, flat dinner knife or small offset spatula over the cup to remove the excess. Use as directed in specific recipe applications.
etc
Game Day Entertaining
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The Tune
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Be sweet.
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