Texas Sheet Cake

This is my favorite cake at the moment. I keep making it over and over so now I must share it with you.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup warm water
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2-1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease a 9X13-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup butter, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, and 1 cup water. Bring mixture just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate mixture to dry mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until thoroughly combined. Add eggs, 1/2 cup buttermilk, and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat for 1 minute (batter will be thin). Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake about 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Place pan on a wire rack.

3. Meanwhile, for frosting in a medium saucepan bring the 1/4 cup butter, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk to boiling. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. **At this point I add 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Pour warm frosting over warm cake, spreading evenly.