How To Make My All-Time Favorite Chocolate Sheet Cake

I LOVE this sheet cake…whatever name you want to call it!
Just a fun story about your Nacogdoches…
The Chief’s Sons
Natchitoches and Nacogdoches

by Bob Bowman
Bob Bowman
It is a story that has been told and retold in Texas and Louisiana–one that almost every school child has learned in the classroom.

Twin sons were born to an old Caddo Indian chief living on the banks of the Sabine River. Natchitoches was swarthy with black hair and flashing black eyes. Nacogdoches was fair with yellow hair and blue eyes.

As their father neared the end of his days, he called his sons into his presence to receive his final blessings.

He commanded that, upon his death, Natchitoches should gather his wife and children, turn his face to the rising sun, and after traveling three days he should build his home and rear a tribe.

Nacogdoches was instructed to face the setting sun, walk three days with his family, and establish a new home where he, too, would rear his children and his children’s children.

Thus, the twin tribes of Nacogdoches and Natchitoches were born 100 miles apart–one in what would become Texas and one in the place we know today as Louisiana.

The two tribes were located a sufficient distance apart to prevent friction over their hunting grounds, so they remained on friendly terms as the decades passed.

The friendship and trade beat out a well-traveled path between the two tribes, a route that eventually became a highway known as El Camino Real by Spanish travelers.

The story is such an engaging tale that it has been printed, reprinted, told and retold in so many places that most of us have lost count. But the trouble is, the story isn’t true.

It was apparently concocted in 1939 by historian R.B. Blake of Nacogdoches as part of a booklet produced by the Nacogdoches Historical Society.

There were, however, Indian tribes known as Nacogdoches and Natchitoches. And, yes, there are towns by the same name. And, of course, there is an El Camino Real.

While Nacogdoches has adhered to Blake’s original story, Natchitoches uses a different twist. In its version, as reported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Indian chief banished his twin sons to the east and west.

The Chamber manager said the legend is so ingrained in Natchitoches’ history that “folks around here would run me out of town if I said it wasn’t true.”

Regardless of the story’s veracity, it will remain a beloved part of the fabric of East Texas.

The beautiful town of Natichitoches Louisiana is where one of my favorite movies was filmed…
Steel Magnolias!!

© Bob Bowman July 10, 2006 Column

Can you offer printer friendly recipes?

Can you replace shortening by butter?

Quick question….when you say flour do you mean self raising flour or plain flour?
Am keen to give this recipe a crack….think my boys & their friends would love it!

Hi Jilliee,
I’ve made a few “Texas Sheet Cakes”, love them, hadn’t heard of the “Nacodoches” till now.
My question is regarding the great jars you’ve got for your sugar, flour, baking (?soda…can’t see the pic right now, either baking soda or powder). I’ve been using Tupperware for my dry goods but they’re showing a great amount of wear & break down & I’d love to upgrade to glass. Would you kindly give reference to where I might purchase the same glass jars you’re showing?
Thanks so much…I’m really glad I found your site!

I Have been making this sheath cake since I was in my 20’S, I am now 66. I found it in my Grandmothers Mennonite cookbook. I use to make it for all my home parties, Tupperware, Home Interior. The only difference I see is my the Mennonite cookbook calls for cinnamon in the cake mix, about a 1/4 tsp. just a hint. People always wanted the recipe.

What size is the pan?

Can the shortening be replaced with something else!

What can you use in place of the shortening? Thanks!!

Try this Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake with an added 1Tbsp of cinnamon in the cake and added 1tsp of cinnamon in the frosting. This makes it into a Mexican Chocolate sheet cake. And to previous questions… yes it is baked on a large cookie sheet! Super yummy! This is my family’s favorite cake or brownie recipe.

Just found this recipe and will try and make it! It does not sound too difficult but as I am in the UK it is difficult to get the measurements correct, (sticks of butter?) Would it be possible to “translate” your measurements for us on the other side of the pond?

Looks yummy. Do you have a white sheet cake recipe to share too?

I LOVE this sheet cake…whatever name you want to call it!
Just a fun story about your Nacogdoches…
The Chief’s Sons
Natchitoches and Nacogdoches

by Bob Bowman
Bob Bowman
It is a story that has been told and retold in Texas and Louisiana–one that almost every school child has learned in the classroom.

Twin sons were born to an old Caddo Indian chief living on the banks of the Sabine River. Natchitoches was swarthy with black hair and flashing black eyes. Nacogdoches was fair with yellow hair and blue eyes.

As their father neared the end of his days, he called his sons into his presence to receive his final blessings.

He commanded that, upon his death, Natchitoches should gather his wife and children, turn his face to the rising sun, and after traveling three days he should build his home and rear a tribe.

Nacogdoches was instructed to face the setting sun, walk three days with his family, and establish a new home where he, too, would rear his children and his children’s children.

Thus, the twin tribes of Nacogdoches and Natchitoches were born 100 miles apart–one in what would become Texas and one in the place we know today as Louisiana.

The two tribes were located a sufficient distance apart to prevent friction over their hunting grounds, so they remained on friendly terms as the decades passed.

The friendship and trade beat out a well-traveled path between the two tribes, a route that eventually became a highway known as El Camino Real by Spanish travelers.

The story is such an engaging tale that it has been printed, reprinted, told and retold in so many places that most of us have lost count. But the trouble is, the story isn’t true.

It was apparently concocted in 1939 by historian R.B. Blake of Nacogdoches as part of a booklet produced by the Nacogdoches Historical Society.

There were, however, Indian tribes known as Nacogdoches and Natchitoches. And, yes, there are towns by the same name. And, of course, there is an El Camino Real.

While Nacogdoches has adhered to Blake’s original story, Natchitoches uses a different twist. In its version, as reported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Indian chief banished his twin sons to the east and west.

The Chamber manager said the legend is so ingrained in Natchitoches’ history that “folks around here would run me out of town if I said it wasn’t true.”

Regardless of the story’s veracity, it will remain a beloved part of the fabric of East Texas.

The beautiful town of Natichitoches Louisiana is where one of my favorite movies was filmed…
Steel Magnolias!!

© Bob Bowman July 10, 2006 Column

Can you offer printer friendly recipes?

Can you replace shortening by butter?

Quick question….when you say flour do you mean self raising flour or plain flour?
Am keen to give this recipe a crack….think my boys & their friends would love it!

Hi Jilliee,
I’ve made a few “Texas Sheet Cakes”, love them, hadn’t heard of the “Nacodoches” till now.
My question is regarding the great jars you’ve got for your sugar, flour, baking (?soda…can’t see the pic right now, either baking soda or powder). I’ve been using Tupperware for my dry goods but they’re showing a great amount of wear & break down & I’d love to upgrade to glass. Would you kindly give reference to where I might purchase the same glass jars you’re showing?
Thanks so much…I’m really glad I found your site!

I Have been making this sheath cake since I was in my 20’S, I am now 66. I found it in my Grandmothers Mennonite cookbook. I use to make it for all my home parties, Tupperware, Home Interior. The only difference I see is my the Mennonite cookbook calls for cinnamon in the cake mix, about a 1/4 tsp. just a hint. People always wanted the recipe.

What size is the pan?

Can the shortening be replaced with something else!

What can you use in place of the shortening? Thanks!!

Try this Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake with an added 1Tbsp of cinnamon in the cake and added 1tsp of cinnamon in the frosting. This makes it into a Mexican Chocolate sheet cake. And to previous questions… yes it is baked on a large cookie sheet! Super yummy! This is my family’s favorite cake or brownie recipe.

Just found this recipe and will try and make it! It does not sound too difficult but as I am in the UK it is difficult to get the measurements correct, (sticks of butter?) Would it be possible to “translate” your measurements for us on the other side of the pond?

Looks yummy. Do you have a white sheet cake recipe to share too?