I spent a little time with my grandmother last weekend, and one of the things we did was read through her recipe book together.  Now, that might not seem interesting to some of you, but I can read a cookbook like it’s a best-selling novel so I loved looking through her favorite recipes and learning where they came from.  More than that, I treasure the time I spent with her, listening to the stories she told as each recipe brought back more memories she wanted to share.

I took photos of each recipe, written in her own hand, so that in addition to the ingredients and instructions, I’ll have her little notes and see her handwriting each time I prepare one of her dishes.

This chocolate sheet cake is one of them.  About this recipe, she wrote “Wonderful!! And Quick!”  She’s right.  This recipe is easy to do and tastes delicious.  I came straight home from my visit and made it for my family.  They ate it up, and I think your family will, too!

What You Need to Make Grandma’s Chocolate Sheet Cake

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 stick “oleo” (I used butter.)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

What You Do to Make Grandma’s Chocolate Sheet Cake

First, combine sugar and flour in a large bowl.

Place butter or margarine, shortening, cocoa and water in a small saucepan.  Heat just to boiling and remove from heat.  Pour over flour mixture.

Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, soda and cinnamon.  Mix well and pour into 16″ x  11″ pan.  (I used a 9 x 13 and just baked the cake longer than Grandma’s recipe instructed.)  The batter will be thin.

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. (I baked the 9 x 13 cake for 30 minutes.  Just bake until a toothpick comes out clean.)  While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting with the recipe below.

Pour frosting over the warm cake.  Serve warm or wait until the cake cools and the frosting hardens a bit.  It’s delicious either way!

How to Make Frosting for Grandma’s Chocolate Sheet Cake

What you need:

• 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 stick “oleo” or butter
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 cup nuts

What you do:

• 5 minutes before cake is done, melt ingredients together and bring only to a boil.
• Remove and add 1 box confectioners sugar (1 lb.) and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Spread over cake while hot. Leave in pan.

Enjoy!

I’d love to hear what your favorite family recipe is! Comment below and let me know.   If you like, leave a link to your recipe in the comments as well!