(STACKER) – In an era of cupcake wars, crazy creations from cake bosses, and never-ending experimental combinations—think cronuts, brookies, or PieCaken—you might wonder whether the only desserts that matter these days are ones that go viral on social media.
But the idea of eating sweets dates back to ancient times and is linked to many culinary practices, like the Romans and Greeks partaking in honey-drizzled pastries. Then, there’s the aristocrats’ influence of eating sweets after a meal and medieval nobility enjoying all manner of puddings and custards, all playing a role in the saccharine food history and traditions.
In the United States, many of the most iconic and popular desserts are those handed down from generation to generation, often having traveled from Europe along with the earliest colonists. Others, however, speak to the most American experiences—whether it’s thinking of creative ways to compensate for shortages of key baking ingredients or capitalizing on the most abundant local crops.
Stacker researched staple desserts from all 50 states, the kinds residents crave. Check out Texas’ signature dessert.
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Texas sheet cake
You might not think of sheet cake as a “must-try” dessert in any state—but in Texas, it’s go big or go home. That means this otherwise traditional dessert is made in a Texas-sized cake pan—a culinary approach that may go as far back as 1936. Because the cake is big enough to feed the masses, it’s often brought to celebrations and other group gatherings, which is how it’s earned the nickname “Texas funeral cake.” Although conventionally topped with chocolate icing, there are also white-icing versions, flavored with vanilla and almond extract. Regardless of the base flavor, this sheet cake may be topped with walnuts or Texas-native pecans.