A family take on the Texas Sheet Cake.
1 cup water
1/2 cup shortening
1 stick butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon soda
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Place first four ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Pour in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for about 35 minutes.
Icing:
1 stick butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
1 lb. box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Place first three ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then boil 5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix well. Spread on top of the cooled cake.