Linda's Christmas Cake

This is the cake that my childhood memories are made of.  This is what Christmas smells like and tastes like.  My mom has been making this cake for Thanksgiving and Christmas for years, like I don't remember her ever not making this cake.  Sure, we she will make it for the occasional birthday request, but the holidays are never as special without this cake. 

This year, since my mom is in a sling, I have already made three of these lovelies.  Trust me when I tell you that the smell of cinnamon and melting chocolate will fill your house with happiness and goodness.  You will feel like you are being squeezed in one giant chocolate hug.  My mom's cake is a chocolate lovers dream come true.

When you read the ingredients you may recognize this cake.  I've seen it in the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook.  I think it's original name is the Texas Sheet Cake.  So you may or may not have had this before.  Maybe you are debating whether or not to make it.  Make it.  You will be so happy that you did, and it is truly the easiest cake in the world.  People you make it for will fall all over themselves when you tell them it's from scratch.  They will think you are the ultimate domestic diva.  You could even tell them that Paula Dean is your grandma and they just might believe you.

So make this very easy from scratch cake.  You will impress everyone you know.  I'm no baker, I usually do box mixes, but this cake I can do.  It's impressive and delicious, and I guarantee it will make your house smell like Christmas cheer...

Linda's Christmas Cake
Cake:
2 c flour
2c sugar
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1 c margarine (we use Nucoa)
1 c water
4 T cocoa (we use Hersheys)
1/2 c buttermilk
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Frosting
1/2 c margarine
4 T cocoa
2 T water
1 box powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
1 c nuts (optional, we never use nuts)
3-5 T buttermilk

Cake: Preheat oven to 400.  Grease and flour a cookie sheet with sides or a jelly roll pan, approx 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 X 1".  Blend flour, sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; set aside.  Using medium heat, melt margarine, water and cocoa in a sauce pan.  Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.  Then add melted mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.  Pour into the greased and floured cookie sheet; bake for 15 minutes.

MAKE FROSTING WHILE CAKE IS BAKING.  FROSTING GOES ON CAKE HOT.

Frosting:  Melt in same sauce pan over medium heat: margarine, cocoa, and water.  In a large bowl mix the powdered sugar, melted ingredients, and vanilla.  Add buttermilk one tablespoon at a time to get desired consistency.  Add nuts if you like.  Pour frosting over the cake AS SOON AS IT COMES OUT OF THE OVEN.  Spread evenly with a butter knife.

Yes, friends it's that easy!  My mom even made these into cupcakes for my 3rd grade Christmas party at school.  I think it had more to do with the fact that I let her know that I had to bring cupcakes the next morning when she picked me up from school that day.  It had nothing to do with her, a working mom, trying to impress the PTA.  However, my teacher Mrs. Seno, talked about these cupcakes for the rest of the year, and every time she saw my mom after that raved about the cupcakes all over again.  If you do try this recipe out for cupcakes use foil liners and cream cheese frosting (homemade or can).  Also set your timer for 15 min, check and check again, I think they took about 25 minutes.  Mom doesn't remember either.

Happy Blogging (and baking),
Megan

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