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One of the most amazing things about blogging is the incredible friendships that you build along the way. And today, a group of bloggers have come together to celebrate one those incredible friends – Amber of Bluebonnets & Brownies. Since we’re all strewn across the country, we decided to throw Amber a baby shower – blogger style!

I first met Amber over 3 years ago on Twitter – she put her computer whiz skills to work by helping me create custom table markers for an event I was assisting with. I quickly realized that Amber and I were basically separated at birth. Meeting in person at BlogHer Food in San Francisco pretty much sealed the deal.

texassheetcake2

Amber is kind, witty, hilarious and incredibly real – her husband, James, The Brit – is the icing on the cake. There is no doubt in my that they are going to be the best parents on the planet. Seriously, Evan is one lucky baby!

To celebrate Baby Evan, I made a cake – Texas style. I’ve never baked Texas Sheet Cake before, but it sounded like a winner. And the enormous size makes it perfect for any type of party – including Texas themed baby showers!

Amber and James I don’t think words could ever express how happy and excited I am for both of you. I cannot wait to meet to your little guy this Fall.

AmberBabyShower

Keep the Celebration Going!

Sugarcrafter | Breakfast Tostadas
My Kitchen Addiction | Baby Texan Cookies
My Baking Addiction | Texas Sheet Cake
Simple Bites | Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa
Stetted | Queso Mac
Food for My Family | Texas Pepper Barbecue Sauce
Dessert For Two | Frito Chocolate Chip Cookies
Confessions of a Cookbook Queen | Coconut Tres Leches Layer Cake
TidyMom | Pizza Bread Sticks
Miss in the Kitchen | Blackberry Milkshakes
Art of Gluten Free Baking | Peach-Pecan Pie, Gluten-Free
Bon Appetit Hon | Cheddar Ranch Crackers
Food Babbles | Southern Pecan Pie
Jelly Toast | Peach Iced Tea
Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle | Decorated Elephant Cookies
i am baker | Texas Brownie Cake The Kitchen Trials | Coca-Cola Cake
Cookies & Cups | Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookies
A Farmgirl’s Dabbles | Peanut Butter Bonbons the Size of Texas
Steph Chows | Fiesta Dip

Texas Sheet Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Frosting

  • 1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter
  • 4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pound (minus 1/2 cup) confectioners' sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 18x13 sheet cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
  3. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in cocoa powder until thoroughly combined. Add boiling water and turn up the heat to medium. Allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds and immediately turn off the heat. Pour the cocoa/butter mixture over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared sheet cake pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  5. While cake is baking, make the frosting. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in cocoa powder until thoroughly combined. Add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar whisking until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Pour over warm cake using an offset spatula to spread the frosting all over the cake.
Recipe slightly adapted from The Pioneer Woman All images and text ©

Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!

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52 Comments

  1. Aimee Wimbush-Bourque says:

    Everything you said about Amber is bang on. I’ve hardly laughed so hard as when I’m with her. We need a reunion!

    Thanks for organizing this sweet shower. It shows how much you do care. <3

  2. DessertForTwo says:

    This looks SO good! I could never make Texas Chocolate sheet cake as photogenic as you did! I’m drooling :)

  3. Kate | Food Babbles says:

    Amber truly is such an incredible person. I’m so happy we could all come together to surprise her and cook for her. Your cake looks amazing! So decadent and perfect for celebrating Amber and little EJ.

  4. Emily @ Life on Food says:

    I love these virtual celebrations! The more opportunity to celebrate the better. Happy Baby Shower!

  5. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says:

    Texas sheet cake is one of my all time favorite desserts and so wonderful for Amber’s Baby Shower!!

  6. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says:

    Jamie, I know we don’t ever get sappy, but you must know how much you mean to me by now. I can’t imagine a day without a text or call from you, and honestly, I don’t want to. You’ve kept me sane through many a crazy moment, and I hope I’ve done the same for you. I can’t wait for Evan to meet his Aunt Jamie, and for our plans of annual Disney trips to become a reality. Thank you for celebrating him with one of my favorite cakes in the entire world. I love you to the ends of the earth, girl.

  7. Sweetsugarbelle says:

    Texas sheet cake is my FAVE!!! Then again, I may be partial!

  8. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says:

    Can you believe I have never made Texas sheet cake before? I need to change that very soon. This looks amazing. And, perfect for a baby shower… Love it! :)

  9. Tracy says:

    Your cake looks incredible, Jamie! A must-try for sure, and perfect for Amber’s shower. Yum!!

  10. Cookbook Queen says:

    I LOVE Texas Sheet cake — it’s seriously one of my favorites. Jon David requests it every Thanksgiving instead of pie. Can’t wait to try your version!!