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
emily 11.21.2012
made this tonight for Thanksgiving! killing me that I can’t taste it yet!
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) 11.15.2012
This is warming as we speak. Smells amazing!!!
Shari 11.11.2012
We had dinner guests last night, and had a complete Iowa Girl Eats menu! We had your crock pot chicken tacos for dinner (though I just put all the fixings out and let everyone make their own), the Mexican rice you linked to when you posted the tacos, and finished with this FABULOUS cake. Everyone loved it! Then my husband, 5 year old and 8 year old all had more cake for breakfast. Peanut butter and dairy-that could be breakfast, right? Thank you so much for all of your wonderful posts!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.12.2012
That is so great, and I’m SO glad you like the cake! Definitely breakfast worth! ;)
Shelley 11.11.2012
I made this cake this weekend during a trip to the NC mountains with friends for my birthday. It was possibly the best cake I’ve ever had, and I LOVE cake. I didn’t have a mixer to make the icing, so I used a store-bought buttercream and forced my brother whisk in the peanut butter. It was out of this WORLD! I sent the half that was left home to my parents with my bro, and I’m making a SECOND one tomorrow to take to the folks at work for my birthday. THANK YOU! It really is delicious and so easy!!! MAKE THIS CAKE, readers!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.12.2012
So glad you enjoyed – and happy belated birthday!! :)
Amy S. 11.09.2012
Made this last night and I almost had to hide it to keep my husband and daughter from eating the whole pan at once :) Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.10.2012
Teehee! Sounds like me – I had to take the leftovers over to my parent’s house because I could. not. stop! So glad you enjoyed it!
Aunt Mary 11.08.2012
You make me so proud! Love you!
OrGreenic 11.08.2012
Thanks for the chocolate sheet cake recipe. The peanut butter icing looks delicious.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen 11.07.2012
I’m so glad you voted. It was instilled in us to take advantage of that privilege and I have ever since I was able.
The cake looks tremendous!
Kgrrrl 11.07.2012
Wow, looks great and most things are already in my cupboard!!! Thanks for that! Also, good on ya for voting! I started when I was 18 (in Canada) and happy every time I line up and wait my turn. I hope you’re happy with the voting results, everyone in my country sure is!
Melissa in IA 11.07.2012
I just love the lessons I’ve learned from my grandparents! For some reason, they really stay with me!! :)
Now, about the cake…
Chocolate and peanut butter together in one cake??? I’m in BIG trouble now!
Courtney F 11.07.2012
Oh my starts that looks ah…may.zing!!!!
Trish 11.07.2012
Yummy! Could you use greek yogurt instead of sour cream to up the protein content?? Pretending that it would be a healthy option to eat the whole thing for dinner :)
Iowa Girl Eats 11.08.2012
Hahaha, I like where your head’s at. ;) I’m sure you could – let me know if you try, and what you think!
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker 11.07.2012
Oh my good gracious, this needs to be in my oven immediately!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats 11.07.2012
Like texas sheet cake, but better! I’m saving this recipe, it looks so easy to make!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife 11.07.2012
omg that is heavenly! I loveeeee peanut butter and chocolate! deliciousssss! (: PS: I’ll take leftovers!
Andrea 11.07.2012
OMG!!! PB is my kryptonite and you just sent me over the edge with this! I’m going to request someone (hubs) makes me this for my birthday next Wednesday. Any more peanut butter recipes you want to throw out in the next week??? LOL.
Trisha 11.07.2012
This. Looks. Divine. And it’s making me reeeeally regret that I chose this week to get back on track with eating healthier. I’d love to devour this entire thing!
Way to go on voting. I personally cannot imagine ever NOT voting. It’s such a fun right to have!
Bek @ Crave 11.07.2012
Woman after my own heart! That looks soooo good :)
Jess 11.07.2012
Something about this cake reminds me of one from my own Midwestern roots! We’d always have chocolate sheet cakes with chocolate icing – so perfect for a crowd. But never did we have them with Peanut Butter Frosting – that’s definitely worth making a sheet cake this very weekend.
Jeanine 11.06.2012
Thanks for your blog. I am a Home Ec teacher and I use quite a few recipes in my classes and lots of other ones I use at home! I am always on the look out for recipes that can be completed in 39 minutes! Thats all we have for some grades. This Sheet cake will fit that. Thanks!