Texas Turtle Cake

Ingredients

• Cake:
• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup black coffee
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Frosting:
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Topping:
• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease a jelly roll pan with butter or non-stick spray.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together butter, coffee and cocoa powder, stirring until butter is fully melted and mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk together self-rising flour and sugar, then beat in wet ingredients until combined.
4. Beat in eggs and buttermilk, then mix in vanilla extract, being careful to mix just until batter comes together and eggs are fully incorporated.
5. Pour batter into greased jelly roll pan, then place in oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. In a second saucepan over medium heat, whisk together 1/2 stick butter, buttermilk and cocoa powder. Stir continuously and bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
7. Working in batches, carefully whisk in powdered sugar until thickened and smooth.
8. Pour sauce over cake, then drizzle caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let set, then slice, serve and enjoy.