Birthday Cakes and Teenagers

My baby boy turned 13 yesterday. That's rather humbling. I don't think of Will as a teenager yet. He has spent his first 13 years clinging precariously to the very bottom line of the growth charts. I do not expect Basketball to be his ticket to a college education. But sit and talk to him a while, and underneath that cute, freckled, mildly hyper exterior you'll find a delightful old soul. He honors the talents God has given him, even if it takes him out of the mainstream. He's quirky. He's funny. He's sensitive.

Will marches to the beat of his own drummer. In fact, I think Will stays up nights figuring out new percussion lines to life. Sometimes his rhythm line is too loud, rather overpowering everything else. Sometimes it is way too fast for me to keep up. But always, it is an original composition. You could say he is my favorite--about 25% of the time. I try to be an equal opportunity favor-er.

Birthdays for teenagers no longer mean trips to Totter's Otterville or party hats or treat bags. Preferences move to laser tag, or bowling, or music in the garage and a group of kids just hanging out and eating everything in sight. No longer do I need to drag out the decorating colors to frost up Mickey Mouse or a favorite super hero. I'm not sure I miss those days, and yet I can't bring myself to part with the Wilton Pans depicting Winnie the Pooh or the Tazmanian Devil. This year, he honored his dad and chose the Summertime favorite: Texas Sheet Cake.

I have no idea if this cake truly originated in Texas. Wherever it came from--GENIUS! My sister-in-law makes the best I have ever had, so I'll share her recipe. Basically a large brownie with killer icing, nuts optional, it is one giant artery clogging insulin rush of chocolate deliciousness. And for those folks who aren't chocolate lovers (pour lost souls--you know who you are), I'll share the white version as well.

Happy Birthday, young man. In case I don't remember to tell you every single day of your life, you are a special kid, and I love you!!!

Texas Sheet Cake
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup water
5 tbsp cocoa
2 eggs
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Melt butter in saucepan with water and cocoa. Bring to a boil, cool. Meanwhile, mix eggs, sugar, vinegar, buttermilk and vanilla untill blended and smooth. Add chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. stir together dry ingredients and add to mixture, blending well. Batter should be smooth. Bake in lightly greased cookie sheet at 400 for 20 minutes.
Frosting:
Bring 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 5 tbsp cocoa and 6 tbsp milk to a boil. While still warm, add 1 lb confectioners sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional). stir well, pour over and spread onto cooled cake. frosting will harden as it cools. I tend to use a bit more conf. sugar.

White Texas Sheet Cake
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
Melt margarine in water, bring to boil. Remove from heat. beat eggs, sugar, sour cream and flavorings together. Add margarine/water mixture. Stir in dry ingredients. Bake at 375 in lightly greased cookie sheet 20-22 minutes. cool.
Frosting: bring 1/2 cup margarine and 1/4 cup milk to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 lb powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp almond extract, 1 cup walnuts, pecans or peanuts, chopped (optional). Pour over and spread on cooled cake.