Description
Texas Sheet Cake is a rich, ultra‑moist chocolate cake baked in a sheet pan, then topped with a velvety, fudgy icing that sets into the warm cake. It’s a Southern favorite that’s simple, nostalgic, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Baking soda
Salt
Sour cream (or buttermilk)
Eggs
Butter
Water (or hot coffee optional)
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Milk
Confectioners’ sugar
Vanilla extract
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven & pan: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15″ sheet pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Prepare wet mix: In a saucepan, melt butter with water (or hot coffee for enriched chocolate flavor) and cocoa until boiling. Let cool slightly.
- Combine cake batter: Beat sour cream (or buttermilk), eggs, and vanilla in dry mix, then pour in cocoa mixture. Stir until smooth.
- Bake cake: Pour batter into pan and bake 15–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Shorter bake time yields a moister cake.)
- Make the icing: In a saucepan, bring milk, cocoa, and butter to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in nuts if desired.
- Finish cake: Pour warm icing over hot cake so it sinks in and forms a fudgy top. Cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Substitutions: Sour cream gives tangy moistness, but buttermilk or yogurt works too. ([AllRecipes](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23056/texas-sheet-cake-v/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- Flavor swaps: Use hot coffee instead of water for deeper chocolate taste. ([Epicurious](https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/texas-sheet-cake?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [BrowneyedBaker](https://www.browneyedbaker.com/texas-sheet-cake-recipe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- Smoother icing: Adding cream cheese to the frosting creates a less gritty, more luscious finish. ([PancakePrincess on Grammy’s Recipe](https://www.thepancakeprincess.com/grammys-texas-sheet-cake/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- Nut topping: Pecans toasted in butter give classic Southern crunch and flavor. ([Bake Off consensus](https://www.thepancakeprincess.com/best-texas-sheet-cake-bake-off/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: Approx. 300–350 kcal
- Sugar: undefined
- Sodium: undefined
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: undefined
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: undefined
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: undefined
