 Texas sheet cake isn't something synonymous with Amish.  Like anything Texas, it's a big cake. But it's also an easy, easy cake to make and that does dovetail well with Amish cooking and baking.  To my knowledge the only time I ever ran into a sheet cake in Plain culture wasn't, however, at an Amish gathering it was at a German Baptist supper and dessert after church. These cakes are ideal for a crowd.  The woman jokingly called it an "Ohio Blanket Cake."  I guess is sounded more local that way:)  This was a German Baptist gathering of maybe 40 - 50 people.  Many Amish church service meals serve 100s, so are kind of impractical as desserts.  Cookies are far more common because of their portability.  Pies are also great for feeding a crowd.  Twenty pies carved up into 8 pieces could easily serve 150 people.
If memory serves me correct, the German Baptist woman who made the sheet cake that I remember did use sour cream in her recipe, so this is probably close to what she used. One of our readers was nice enough to sample and share the recipe. Don't those pieces of cake look yummy?
- 3 Tablespoons Cocoa
- 2 sticks butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- Boil cocoa, butter, and water over medium heat. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients. Then add the boiled cocoa mixture all at once to flour mixture. Pour onto 17x11x1 inch pan. Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes clean.
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Judy DeSalvo
So glad I found this website! Love the stories and comments! In the distant past I have eaten and enjoyed this cake...need the recipe for the icing!! xxxo