Texas Chocolate Skillet Cake

Cake Ingredients

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (about 10 oz.)

3/4 cup unsalted butter

4 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

 Frosting

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Additional Ingredients:

1 cup toasted pecan halves, chopped

Ice cream

 Directions for Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine chocolate chips and butter in a medium-size microwavable glass bowl. Microwave on high until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Cool 10 minutes.

 Beat eggs, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment on medium speed until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture and melted chocolate mixture to egg mixture in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low speed just until each is incorporated. Pour batter into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet

 Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 40 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool slightly.

 Prepare the Frosting

Combine granulated sugar, butter, milk, cocoa, flour, and salt in a small saucepan over medium. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute (it will still be a bit thin). Remove pan from heat, and stir in vanilla extract. Pour into a medium-size heatproof bowl, and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Pour warm Frosting over warm Cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.