Buttermilk Cake Squares

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Buttermilk Cake SquaresThe recipe calls these squares of deliciousness brownies; however, being the brownie expert I am, and having sampled one or two or three or a lot, I feel the need to clarify: These are not brownies, they are moist, chocolately, yummy pieces of cake topped with frosting you just plop on top of a warm pan of brownies cake. I’m guessing they were named brownies because they’re baked in a pan and cut into squares, but don’t let that fool you. These are cake squares. Yes, that is the official terminology.

Did I mention these cake squares are pretty damn good? Like, really good? Especially when they’re still warm? Well, they are. And they’re super easy to make! A few ingredients on the stove, a few in the mixing bowl (including flour and sugar together, weird, I know!), combine everything, then add in two more things. And the frosting? No need to spread and make it look pretty. It kind of glides all over the warm cake all on its own.

Photos of the process here.

Cake Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 cup butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting
In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk or sour milk. Bring mixture to boiling. Remove from heat. Add 2-1/4 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. If desired, stir in 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans.

Cake Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15x10x1-inch or a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan combine water, butter, and cocoa powder. Bring mixture just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add the cocoa mixture to the flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
  3. Bake about 25 minutes for the 15x10x1-inch pan, about 35 minutes for the 13x9x2-inch pan, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Pour warm Chocolate-Buttermilk Frosting over the warm brownies, spreading evenly. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

The recipe claims to make 24 pieces, but those would be huge squares.

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Comments

7 Responses to “Buttermilk Cake Squares”

    Kim on 1 April 20th, 2010 4:49 pm

    Sounds earily similar to Texas Sheet Cake which is one of my all time favorite cakes. I’ll have to try this too.

    momma on 2 April 20th, 2010 5:43 pm

    these sound yummy!!!!!!

    Emily on 3 April 21st, 2010 6:19 am

    I love buttermilk! those looks delicious!

    Seanna Lea on 4 April 21st, 2010 8:36 am

    Those sound really good. I made lemon yogurt cake last night (a tweaking of a lot of recipes), and will be making lemon curd to go with it tonight. Otherwise, this cake would be on the short list!

    Abigail on 5 April 23rd, 2010 2:10 pm

    I made this tonight and it was by far the best chocolate cake I have ever made! I loved it warm and even heated it up today. I just can’t say how great this cake was and easy too! My kids loved making it with me(they are 2 and 3) and even more so they loved eating it. I’m hoping I have enough willpower to not eat the whole thing!

    Hilary on 6 April 23rd, 2010 5:28 pm

    Abigail, this recipe is on my go-to list now, I love it too! I still can’t believe how easy it was. And you’re right, it was amazing warm. I’m kind of glad I brought it into the office because I know otherwise I would have eaten way too much!

    Juliette on 7 May 15th, 2010 9:38 am

    This has become my boyfriend’s new favorite cake! I love how spongy it is. Thanks for the recipe!