I know what you’re thinking. “What is she thinking?” There’s a side of me that loves surprises. Actually in my multi-sided self, most of me loves an element of surprise, surrounded by fun, and baked in warmth of relationships.

Texas Sheet Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream

ICING:

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• In a large saucepan, bring the butter,  water and cocoa to a boil. Remove from the heat. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; add to cocoa mixture. Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
• Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x  1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• In a small saucepan, melt butter; add milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: 15 servings.

Credits:  Taste of Home magazine, February/March 2003

So what am I thinking?  See if you can figure it out. On your mark, get set – see you back here tomorrow for more of the story.