Unknown Cake (Texas Sheet Cake)

Why this is called Unknown Cake is, well, unknown. This is one of my oldest recipes as I got it as a teenager from a lady I worked with- Ethel . . .and she called it Unknown Cake.  I later found out everyone else called it Texas Sheet Cake.  But whatever the name, it's moist and yummy and very easy.  There are many versions and variations of this recipe, but I always come back to this one.

Unknown Cake

Mix in bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream (you can substitute buttermilk)

In a saucepan, bring to a boil:

4 Tablespoons cocoa

1 cup water

1 cup butter (two sticks)

When boiling, pour over the mixture in the bowl.  Beat well, then pour into a large, sided jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  While the cake is baking, make the frosting (below) and frost while the cake is warm.

Frosting

Bring to a boil in a saucepan on the stove:

4 Tablespoons cocoa

1/2 cup butter

6 Tablespoons milk

When the butter is melted and it's boiling, add:

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla.

Beat well with a hand mixer.  When well blended, frost the warm cake.

Original Source:  Ethel Claussen