TeXaS Fudge Sheet Cake

This is always a favorite...Made it today for Clint's Birthday!

For the Cake:

1/2 C. Shortening

1/2 C. Butter

4 T. Cocoa

1 C. Water

2 C. Flour

2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Buttermilk

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 Eggs, beaten

dash of salt

Grease an oblong sheet cake pan. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a medium saucepan, bring shortening, butter, cocoa, and water to a boil. Remove from heat & pour over flour & sugar mixture.  Add the remaining ingredients until well blended.  Pour into greased sheet cake pan and bake for 20 minutes

For the frosting:

1/2 C. Butter

4 T. Cocoa

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

6 T. Milk

4 C. Powdered Sugar

1 C. Chopped Nuts {optional}

In a medium saucepan, melt butter then add cocoa, vanilla, and milk.  Bring to a boil and remove promptly.  Add sugar {and nuts}. Frost cake while hot & let set up for about an hour.  EnJoY!

Apple Pie

Nothing is more AMERICAN than APPLE PIE...right?

Well, I always make apple pie for the 4th festivities and here is my favorite recipe.

1 package of pre-made pie dough shells 

{there should be 2 in the package, one for the top & one for the bottom}

8 tart apples {peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices}

1/2 C. sugar

juice of half lemon

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

pinch of nutmeg

1 T. flour

2 T. butter {cut into small pieces}

1 large egg, beaten with 2 T. heavy cream

sugar, for sprinkling on top

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Place one pie dough shell in the bottom of pie plate.  In a large bowl, toss together apples, sugar, lemon juice, spices, and flour.  Spoon into pie shell and dot with small butter pieces.  Using the other pie dough shell, cut shapes, strips, or keep whole and place on top.  If you're keeping the top whole cut several steam vents and seal by crimping edges.  Brush pastry with egg glaze and sprinkle with sugar.

 Bake for 50-60 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and juices are bubbling.  Cool on wire rack before serving.