USDA School Cafeteria Chocolate Cake squares and Frosting from 1988

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USDA School Cafeteria Chocolate Cake squares and Frosting from 1988

Makes 50 Chocolate Cake squares in a sheet pan (18" x26" x1").

5 cups (1 lb 6 oz) All-purpose flour
4 3/4 cups (2 lb) Sugar
1 3/4 cups (5 1/2 oz) Cocoa
1 1/4 cups (3oz) Instant nonfat dry milk
2 Tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Baking soda
1 1/2 tsp Salt
7 Large eggs (12 1/2 oz)
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
3 1/2 cups Water
1 3/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp (12 oz) Shortening

  1. Blend flour, sugar, cocoa, dry milk, baking powder,
    baking soda, and salt for 4 minutes in mixer on low speed.

  2. Combine eggs, vanilla, and water. Add shortening and
    about half the liquid mixture to dry ingredients. Blend for
    30 seconds on low speed. Beat for 3 minutes on medium
    speed.

  3. Slowly add remaining liquid mixture. Blend for 30
    seconds on low speed. Beat for 3 minutes on medium
    speed.

  4. Pour 7 lb 3 oz (1 gal) batter into sheet pans (18" x26"
    x1"), which have been lightly greased and dusted with
    flour. For 50 servings, use 1 sheet pan.

  5. Bake:
    Conventional Oven: 375 degrees F, 30 minutes
    Convection Oven: 325 degrees F, 18-20 minutes

  6. Cool. Frost if desired.

  7. Cut each pan 5 x10 (50 pieces per pan).

Chocolate Cream Frosting

Makes enough to cover 1 sheet pan, 4 cups.

1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp (2 1/2 oz) Butter or margarine
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (2 1/2 oz) Shortening
7 1/2 cups (1 lb 14 oz) Powdered sugar, unsifted
1 1/3 cups (4 oz) Cocoa
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Instant nonfat dry milk
1 Tbsp Vanilla
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp Water, room temperature

  1. Cream butter or margarine and shortening in mixer at
    medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

  2. Combine powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and dry milk. Add to
    creamed butter or margarine. Mix for 1 minute on low
    speed.

  3. Add vanilla while mixing at low speed. Slowly add water
    to obtain a spreading consistency. Scrape down bowl. Beat
    at medium speed for 5 minutes or until mixture is creamy
    and well blended. (For a thinner frosting, add additional
    water, 1 tsp at a time, mixing after each addition.)

  4. Spread on cooled cakes.

Source: USDA Recipes for Schools, from the “1988 Quantity Recipes for School Food Service”.