Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake!

If you have ever had the classic chocolate "Texas Sheet Cake",  you know it's moist and so scrumptious.  This takes that basic recipe and just spins it in a peanut butter form, which for the peanut butter lovers is also really delicious.  This is an idea my mother came up with and the results were wonderful.  It's also pretty easy.  Here is what you will need:

2  1/2 cups self rising flour (White Lily, preferably) ***

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter (do not use margarine)

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup water

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla

***If you are unable to get self rising flour in your area, use all purpose and add 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt to it.

Icing

6 Tbs. half and half cream

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup peanuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In mixing bowl sift the flour and sugar together. 

In a heavy saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup butter, oil, buttermilk, peanut butter and water to a boil.   Once it boils, pour over the dry mixture in the mixing bowl, eggs,  baking soda, and vanilla.  Stir to combine it all.  Don't over mix this.  Just use a large spoon or whisk.  Pour into a 9"x13" baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick baking spray.  I prefer Baker's Joy for this, but whatever you have works.   Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  A pick inserted in the center should come out clean when it's done.

 During the last 10 minutes that the cake is baking, make the icing, because as soon as the cake comes out, you ice it.   Place the half and half cream, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Melt this all together and stir until smooth.   Turn the heat to low.  Stir in the confectioners sugar and the vanilla.  Stir until smooth.    Immediately pour over the cake just out of the oven.  Spread evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with the finely chopped peanuts and press them into the warm icing with the back of a spoon.  A food processor is great for chopping the peanuts.

Slice and serve!  This is so good while the icing is still warm!