Sheet Cake That Tastes Like Brownies

I have made this cake for 39 years. Ever since I have been married… lol. This is so good. I have not had one person that did not like this. If you do not have buttermilk, just use a half cup of milk with one tablespoon of vinegar. Mix and let it sit while you gather ingredients. It will thicken… I use it all the time IF I do NOT have buttermilk.


2 c all-purpose flour
2 c granulated sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c Crisco (can substitute with 1 stick of butter)
1 c water
4 Tbsp cocoa, unsweetened
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 c buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1 stick butter
4 or 3 Tbsp cocoa, unsweetened
6 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 c confectioners’ sugar
1 c chopped pecans or walnuts


1. Preheat an oven to 400°F. Grease a 11×15 sheet cake pan (be sure it has raised edges).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour and granulated sugar.
3. In a saucepan, combine the butter, Crisco, water, and cocoa powder. Stir while bringing to a boil.
4. Pour over the flour mixture.
5. Mix together.
6. In another bowl, stir together the eggs, baking soda, buttermilk, and vanilla.
7. Add to the flour/cocoa mixture and mix together.
Sheet Cake That Tastes Like Brownies 8. Transfer the batter to the prepared sheet cake pan.
9. Bake for 20-30 minutes.
10. Five minutes before the cake is done, make the frosting: In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk.
11. Heat and then add the confectioners’ sugar, nuts, and vanilla.
12. Pour the frosting over the cake.
13. Allow to cool.