A Texas Sheet Cake is a classic Southern favorite — rich, fudgy, and famously easy to make! 🍫
It’s baked in a large, shallow jelly roll pan (hence “sheet cake”) and topped with a warm, pour-over chocolate frosting that soaks into the cake while it’s still hot. The result: a super moist, ultra-chocolatey dessert that feeds a crowd — perfect for potlucks or holidays.
🤠 Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Serves: About 20
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
🧈 Ingredients
For the cake:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups sugar
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1 tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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1 cup unsalted butter
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1 cup water
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup sour cream (or buttermilk)
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the warm chocolate frosting:
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½ cup unsalted butter
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¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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¼ cup milk
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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3½ cups powdered sugar
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Optional toppings: chopped pecans, walnuts, or shredded coconut
👩🍳 Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan (or a rimmed baking sheet).
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Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
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Boil the butter mixture:
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In a saucepan, bring butter, water, and cocoa powder to a gentle boil.
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Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
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Add wet ingredients:
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Mix in sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
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Bake:
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Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
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Bake for 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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🍫 Make the Frosting (While Cake Is Hot!)
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In a saucepan, melt butter.
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Whisk in cocoa and milk; bring to a gentle boil.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.
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Pour warm frosting over the hot cake and spread evenly.
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Sprinkle pecans or toppings immediately before it sets.
Let the cake cool and the frosting set slightly before slicing into rich, glossy squares.
❤️ Tips & Variations
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Add 1 tsp cinnamon to the batter for a “Mexican chocolate” flavor.
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Swap buttermilk for sour cream for a slightly tangier cake.
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Serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel for extra decadence.
Would you like me to generate an image of a classic Texas Sheet Cake — glossy chocolate icing with pecans on top, served in the pan?
