Happy Election Day!
Did you get out and vote? I did for the very first time! My Grandma, who was born in 1919, the year Amendment 19 passed giving women the right to vote, made me promise a few years ago that I would vote this election, and I did. For her, for me, and because she yelled at me for not doing it last time. Eep!
It’s just that, in my early 20s I felt like my one little vote was insignificant, and had less than zero interest in politics. I now know that every vote counts, plus I’m a little older and wiser, well, older anyways, and where the candidate I voted for stands on several key issues is incredibly important to me.
Plus, similar to the lottery where you can’t win if you don’t play, when it comes to the key issues, you can’t complain if you don’t vote!
Or something like that.
Anyways, I left the booth feeling excited and decided to bake a cake to celebrate. Or because I’ve been dying for a bite of rich and ultra-decadent Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing for months. I KNOW!
This recipe is from my Aunt Mary, whom my family and I visited on our road trip out east this summer. Mary comes from a long line of incredible Italian cooks, and has a feast ready for us every time we come. Cookies, sausages, pasta, and, this summer, Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing.
In all the years we’ve been visiting my Aunt & Uncle, she’d never made this cake, but after devouring her famous sausage and pepper rolls ’til we thought we might burst our first night there, she disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared a minute later triumphantly holding a massive pan of it for dessert.
Somehow we each found a way to fit a slice in. ;)
This ridiculously moist chocolate sheet cake slathered with a luscious peanut butter icing when it’s still warm from the oven tastes like a giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Luckily my Aunt Mary was more than happy to share the recipe with me, so I could share it with you. Whee!
Start the Chocolate Sheet Cake by bringing 1 cup butter, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder to a boil in a saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly. Also set aside your urge to ladle the concoction into a mug and drink it. Trust me – this only sounds like a good idea. J/k. Or am I?
While the cocoa mixture cools, whisk together 2 cups each flour and sugar, with 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then create a well in the center.
Now pour that wicked cocoa mixture into the center and whisk it all up. Ahhhh…
AHHHH!
Finally, stir in 1/2 cup sour cream, which gives this cake a moistness that you will not find in any other cake. It. Is. So. Good.
Pour the cake batter into a non-stick sprayed baking sheet (I used a 12×17) or jelly roll pan, then bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. When’s the last time you baked a cake in 15 minutes?!
While the cake is baking, whisk together the Peanut Butter Icing, which was apparently so intoxicating that I forgot to take a picture of it!
Fear not, it’s just 3 cups powdered sugar, 3/4 cup peanut butter, 6 Tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, whisked together in a bowl. Drizzle the icing down over the warm cake, then spread evenly and let it set before slicing.
If you can wait!!
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Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing
Description
Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing is my Aunt Mary’s recipe. So rich and decadent – make sure you’ve got some milk on hand!
Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Sheet Cake:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- For the Peanut Butter Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder in a large saucepan then bring to a boil. Remove from heat then set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl then create a well in the center. Add cocoa mixture then whisk until smooth. Add sour cream then whisk until smooth.
- Pour cake batter into a non-stick sprayed baking sheet (I used a 17x12) or jelly roll pan, then spread evenly. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For the Peanut Butter Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add peanut butter then whisk to combine. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir if too thick. Pour over warm cake then spread evenly. Allow to cool then slice and serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
This Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing is the BEST! Like I said – giant. peanut butter. cup. Plus it only takes 15 minutes to bake, and will be the hit of any party or get-together you take it to.
Just make sure you have some milk on hand!
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Workout of the Day: 35 Minute, 3.7 Mile Treadmill Workout
Sheila 11.06.2012
Ohhhh dear God….I think I just gained 5 lbs by looking at the pics of this amazeballllls dessert! Thx for sharing! Can’t wait to make it this weekend for my son when he comes home to visit from college! Chocolate/peanut butter are his favs!!
Liz 11.06.2012
Shame on you for not voting before! My goodness, you have missed at least 2 elections! Glad you voted to uphold the rights we have:).
I vote that the cake needs more icing!!
M 11.06.2012
Woo-hoo first time voter! And chocolate cake! Perfect pair!
I really appreciate that you don’t get political on your blog…some blogs that I follow do and unfortunately it makes me hesitate a bit when I go to look at them. So thank you & keep it up!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 11.06.2012
This almost looks too good to eat! ….who am I kidding, I could never say no to a chocolate and peanut butter combo!
Congrats on voting for the first time! I have voted with an absentee ballot the past 2 presidential elections and am now starting to feel like I missed out on the true voting experience. Next time I might have to head out to the actual polls!
SWR 11.06.2012
Yum! This looks great.
You vote for the first time- I may have to bake my first sheet cake :)
Cherub Mamma 11.06.2012
Yet another recipe that you post and I go make immediately.
I don’t personally do anything with peanut butter. However, my family informs me that the cake is absolutely delicious! I love how quickly it came together. I love surprising everyone with dessert every now and then and this was a hit!!
Amy M 11.06.2012
I voted for the first time today too! Last time I was in China and didn’t bother with the absentee ballot. I did it for me and also so people don’t yell at me. :)
Kim@hungryhealthygirl 11.06.2012
If it tastes like a big Reese’s, I’m definitely in!!
Chris 11.06.2012
Welcome to responsible citizenhood, Kristin. Always listen to your grandma.
heather 11.07.2012
amen to this. (…and congrats on losing your voter V, kristin!! <3)
Mabelle @ Dance, Love, Dine 11.06.2012
Who doesnt love chocolate and peanut butter AND cake??? this looks like heaven on earth! :)
Christine 11.06.2012
I wish I lived in a swing state, I’d feel like my vote was worth something. Living in IL, my vote doesn’t hold much merit, even though “every vote counts”. Hope you chose the right candidate!
Sylvia 11.06.2012
I had to do a double cake after reading this cake recipe, no eggs?! I have a son with severe egg allergies so I am always on the lookout for eggless recipes. Yay!
Unfortunately he is allergic to tree nuts, as well (I know, poor child). Any recommendations for an alternate frosting to go with this particular cake?
Thanks for sharing!
Staci 11.06.2012
Sylvia,
Hope you don’t mind that I am jumping in this conversation. My family makes a cake JUST like this called “Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake” with a chocolate frosting/icing.
Here it is:
In a heavy pan bring the following to a low boil and stir constantly.
6 tablespoons canned evaporated milk
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 pound butter (2 sticks)
Remove pan from heat and add.
1 box powdered sugar (4 cups) sifted.
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup of walnuts (optional)
Stir until powdered sugar is dissolved.
Pour on warm cake.
Hope that helps!
Sylvia 11.06.2012
Staci,
YUM, that sounds delicious. That helps a lot, thanks! I will be making this for my little man (ok, and myself) very soon! :)
jennyv 11.06.2012
I just have to say that I enjoyed the “J/K” — took me back :)
Oh yes, and the sheet cake looks like something from a dreamland!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 11.06.2012
What a neat story about your grandma and the 19th amendment :) It’s especially important for you to get out and vote in Iowa! Here in California, a lot of my friends complain that their “vote doesn’t matter”…that is definitely not true in a swing state like yours!
And can I just make a batch of that icing and put it on everything? Or would that just make me a freak? (don’t answer that)
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) 11.06.2012
Chocolate and peanut butter desserts are my favorite! My dad would love this sheet cake – yum!
Meagan 11.06.2012
This looks amazing! I have been reading your blog for a while now and just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the “in process” pictures you take! I am still learning to cook/bake and having pictures of what things are supposed to look like as you go through the steps helps me so much! Not to mention, your recipes are delicious!
Lindsey 11.06.2012
Glad you voted! I vote “YES!” to this cake! :)
Lauren T 11.06.2012
Haha. Yes the latest polls show this cake in the lead!
Lauren 11.06.2012
Yay for voting! I grew up with a huge political influence from my dad and to this day, he still pressures me into voting no matter what election it is. He’s definitely right and I’m happy he does influence me in that way. I’m on my way to vote now! ;)
Kylee 11.06.2012
This looks absolutely DIVINE!! Baking this today!!
Blog is the New Black 11.06.2012
This looks decadent!