6/ Chocolate Sheet Cake

Mix and let sit until chocolate is melted:

• 3 oz. unsweeted chocolate, chopped*
• ¼ c. hot water (or coffee!)

Beat until mixture resembles wet sand: 

• 6 tbl. butter, room temperature
• 1¾ c. cake flour
• 1½ c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt

Add and thoroughly beat until light and uniform:

• 2 eggs
• 1 c. sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• chocolate mixture from above

Scrape into a greased ½ sheet pan. Bang on counter to release bubbles. Bake  at 350° for 20-25 minutes (or until toothpick comes out with crumbs on it, 22 min. by my oven). 

Make frosting by whisking in small sauce pan over medium-low heat until melted, uniform and bubbly:

• 1 stick butter
• ¼ c. natural cocoa
• ¼ c. half + half (or milk)
• 3 c. powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp. salt

Mix in: 

• ½ (or to taste) finely chopped pecans
• vanilla to taste

Pour over cooled cake and spread to edges.