small sheet cakes for craft - 1. texas chocolate 2. german apple cream cheese frosting

1. Texas chocolate sheet cake 

cake: 

1 cup butter
1 cup water
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream or buttermilk 
2 eggs
6 tablespoons milk

#1 frosting:

1/2 cup butter

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts (and or pecans or pistachio)

#2 frosting:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped unsalted, roasted pistachios or pecans or walnuts 
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Grease and flour a sheet pan - 12 x 17 x 1" or smaller at 11 x 16.

In a medium saucepan over medium low heat melt 1 cup butter, add water and 4 tablespoons cocoa. 

Bring mixture to a low boil; whisking frequently.  

Remove from heat; cool for 20 minutes. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO COOL.

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.  

In a separate small bowl whisk together the sour cream and eggs.

Pour the egg and sour cream mixture and the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture.  

Stir to combine mixing just until incorporated.  

Then pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes.

In the last few minutes of the cake baking then start the frosting.  

Combine milk, 1/2 cup butter and 4 tablespoons cocoa powder in a large saucepan over medium low heat.  

Bring to a low boil whisking constantly.  

Remove from heat.  

Working quickly stir in the powdered sugar and walnuts.  

Pour over the warm cake spreading with a spatula.

2. German Apple Cake

cake: 
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups chopped peeled tart apples
3/4 cup chopped pecans 

- leave these out for FR Josie doesn't like nuts in cake place them on top

frosting:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar

wet: 
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. 

dry:
Separate bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; 

Add to egg mixture and mix well. 

Fold in apples and nuts. 

Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. 

1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. 
2. Spread over cake.  Toast pecans and then pulse them in a food processor to coarse and put them on top of the frosting.
3. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes 
4. out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

1. 1. Refrigerate leftovers.

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