TEXAS SHEATH CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Grease a 10x15 baking pan (or spray with cooking spray) and preheat oven to 350 degrees. See notes below regarding other pan sizes.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to incorporate ingredients then set aside.
• Combine buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract in a small bowl then mix well and set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan then whisk in cocoa powder and water or black coffee until smooth. Stir and heat over medium-high heat until boiling. Remove from heat.
• Pour hot cocoa power mixture into bowl with flour mixture then stir to incorporate. Add buttermilk mixture then whisk all ingredients together for one minute.
• Pour batter into prepared pan then bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven then prepare icing.
• Combine milk, butter and salt in a small saucepan then heat until simmering. Remove from heat then stir in vanilla extract.
• Meanwhile, sift together powdered sugar and cocoa into a large mixing bowl (the sifting is optional but it prevents lumps). Pour hot milk/butter mixture into bowl with powdered sugar and cocoa powder then stir until smooth.
• Pour icing over warm cake. Let cake rest for a few hours before serving to ensure the icing sets up some before cutting the cake.
• Once the cake is cool, cover then store at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill for high heat, or arrange charcoal briquettes on one side of the barbeque. Lightly oil the grate.
• In a small jar, combine cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Close the lid, and shake to mix.
• Trim the membrane sheath from the back of each rack. Run a small, sharp knife between the membrane and each rib, and snip off the membrane as much as possible. Sprinkle as much of the rub onto both sides of the ribs as desired. To prevent the ribs from becoming too dark and spicy, do not thoroughly rub the spices into the ribs. Store the unused portion of the spice mix for future use.
• Place aluminum foil on lower rack to capture drippings and prevent flare-ups. Lay the ribs on the top rack of the grill (away from the coals, if you're using briquettes). Reduce gas heat to low, close lid, and leave undisturbed for 1 hour. Do not lift the lid at all.
• Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, and grill an additional 5 minutes. Serve ribs as whole rack, or cut between each rib bone and pile individually on a platter.