O.K. I admit, I'm from Texas and grew up with this cake at all our birthday parties. However, even with minor modifications-depending on where I was cooking-this is an easy, fail-safe cake. My favorite version includes the 1t of Cinnamon (I had someone tell me it reminded them of their grandmother's coke-cola cake), I substitute oil for shortening and use 4+T of very good cocoa instead of the chocolate squares. Depending on my whim I add toasted pecans or substitue 1/2C coffee for 1/2C water. My icing recipe is different than this one and I never make a full icing recipe. (I always leave it in the pan-so it would be too much!) Even the original family cookbook I use for this recipe lists many modifications. I love a basic recipe, like this, that is so easy to change yet always tastes great.

I chose this recipe because I too am a native Texan living in Pennsylvania! I made the cake for a school function and although I didn't get to try any myself I was told by those who did it was outstanding. I did follow another reviewer's advice about using half fresh brewed coffee and half water instead of the full cup of water. I am making this again for another school function next week and hopefully this time I will actually get to try some before it's all gone!

I really wanted to like this recipe... I added the 1/2C flour and about a 1/4 extra buttermilk, and one extra square of chocolate. The cake was moist, I give it that, but the flavor did not excite me... sort of blah... I mixed the frosting as listed,it was to runny, and to sugary/sweet for me. and even the chocolate in the frosting didn't really come through in taste... But I am a very picky flavor nut... so, its just another OK recipe...

This was a delicious recipe! This was my first time making Texas sheet cake. It was for my husband's birthday and he said it was delicious. I also brought the extras to a get together and they loved it as well! I used the other comment's suggestion on adding lemon juice to milk instead of buttermilk and it worked very well. This is a great recipe and I highly recommend it!

I have been baking Texas Sheet Cake for over 40 years. However, my recipe calls for 2 sticks of butter/or oleo and 4 generous Tbsp. of cocoa. We like the cinnamon. Also, I use buttermilk in the icing and mine goes on hot cake and is thin but once it sets, it is almost candy-like. Yum-O

Awesome - made exactly as written.

my grandmother made a very similar cake and she's from Oklahoms, go figure..great cake...i use Dutch process cocoa, not baking chocolate (use the conversion chart on the back of the tin of cocoa) and toast your pecans for extra flavor. who has buttermilk on hand? 1 tablespoon white vinegar or 1 tablespoon lemon juice added to 1 cup milk (let sit for 10-20 minutes) does just as well. great childhood memory cake and everyone raves about it!

I was a little disappointed in this cake. Was hoping for a chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth kind of cake, but this was not it for me. The cake portion was a little bland and the frosting was too sugary.

This is one of the best and easiest 'from scratch' cakes I've ever made. It's definitely a No Fail recipe made exactly as is. Believe it or not, it tastes even better the next day (If there's any leftover!) I usually skip the nuts in the frosting because I prefer it plain. Also, if you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by mixing 1 Tbsp white vinegar or Lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit until it clots (about 5 to 10 minutes) and add according to recipe instructions. One last thing is the frosting usually cooks a little strange. As I'm cooking it on the stove about the time it's supposed to get bubbly around the edges, it seems to 'separate'. However, once I beat in the powdered sugar with my mixer, everything is fine. The first time I made it, I threw it out because I thought it was ruined when it seperated, but when I made my second batch and it happened again I decided to just beat it with the powdered sugar to see what happened and it turned out perfectly.

Yummy!! However, I did omit the cinnamon, and used buttermilk for the frosting recipe as well. Very good, and oh so sinful!!

This recipe was awesome! I have been in search of this recipe and was I glad that I chose to make Bron's recipe!!! Moist and yummy

Wonderful cake. I took a previous poster's advice and increased the amount of flour. I personally like cinnamon and did not find it overwhelming even with the full amount. The baking time, however, was not enough for my oven so be sure to check yours before removing it. Will definitely make again.

Chocolate-holics look out!! This was known as "Pat's Pootin'Gopher Cake" in So.west Texas many years ago. IT is the BE ALL to all chocolate cake lovers recipe. I was so surprised to find it again, She was my mother n law and passed away leaving this wonderful recipe. Thank you...Ellie in KY

I was disappointed in this cake. I followed the recipe as written, and it came out dry and bland. Thanks for sharing, but my family just didn't care for this.

I have made this recipe for over 25 years! And always get raves from everyone who has it. This recipe is the same as the one I have. You don't need to be from Texas to love it!

This recipe is very good. I took the advice of previous reviews and increased the flour by 1/2 cup and decreased the cinnamon by 1/2 teaspoon. However, I kept the chocolate at 2oz. and the fudge quality of the icing made up for the mild chocolate with the hint of cinnamon flavor of the cake. Will make again with no more alterations than I already made!