This Texas Sheet Cake is the perfect amount of chocolate, moist, and delicious. You get a moist, easy-to-make cake, without the fuss and without it being too rich. It’s easy to make and easy to serve.

Texas sheet can in a pan with a square cut out and a fork in it. it is surrounded by a kitchen towel

You’ll love this chocolate sheet cake recipe

You will absolutely love this Chocolate Sheet Cake. Not only is it really easy to make, but it’s easy to serve and isn’t too rich.

One of the best parts about this cake is that you don’t have to wait for it to cool to add the icing. You actually pour it on while it’s still warm.

This is such a simple, but delicious cake to make. It’s the kind of cake that doesn’t require any fancy tricks.

What is a Texas sheet cake?

Texas sheet cake is a type of cake that originated in the United States, particularly in the state of Texas. It’s a moist, thin cake made from a simple batter.

The batter is poured into a large, shallow baking sheet (hence the name “sheet cake”) and baked until it’s cooked through.

Once the cake is baked and still warm, a chocolate frosting is poured over the top. The frosting seeps into the cake, creating a deliciously moist and flavorful dessert.

Texas sheet cake is known for its simplicity, moist texture, and chocolate flavor.

It’s often served at potlucks, picnics, and gatherings because it can feed a crowd and is easy to transport and serve.

ingredients in chocolate sheet cake

  • all purpose flour
  • granulated sugar
  • sour cream
  • eggs
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • butter
  • water
  • cocoa powder
  • buttermilk
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla
Ingredients to make Texas Sheet Cake

how to make Texas sheet cake with buttermilk

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Cream together the sugar, sour cream, and eggs in a mixing bowl.
  3. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
  4. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Turn off the heat and whisk in the water and cocoa until smooth.
  5. Add the cocoa and butter mixture to the mixing bowl with the flour. Mix well to combine.
  6. Pour the batter into a greased sheet pan with sides.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before icing. It can still be warm.
Wet ingredients of texas sheet cake in a mixing bowl
Texas sheet cake ingredients mixed together in a bowl
Texas Sheet Cake ingredients mixed together in a mixing bowl
Unbaked texas sheet cake in a baking sheet
baked texas sheet cake in a baking sheet without frosting
  1. Heat a small saucepan over low heat.
  2. Add the butter and let it melt completely.
  3. Add the buttermilk and cocoa. Whisk to combine.
  4. Remove it from the heat and add it to a mixing bowl with powdered sugar and vanilla.
  5. Spread it on the cake while the icing is still warm.
  6. Let the cake cool completely before serving. The icing will firm up once it cools.
Frosting for Texas sheet cake in a saucepan
Powdered sugar mixed with chocolate for texas sheet cake frosting in a mixing bowl

tips and tricks for this Texas sheet cake recipe

When making the icing, it’s important to keep it over low heat. If you get it too hot, it will begin to separate.

You do not have to wait for the cake to completely cool to add the icing. Just pour it over the warm cake.

You can also add chopped pecans to the icing.

how to store chocolate sheet cake

Allow the cake to cool completely. Cover it tightly and it can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

To extend the shelf life (or to avoid softening of the icing), you can cover it and place it in the refrigerator.

faqs for chocolate cake

Can you freeze Texas sheet cake?

You can freeze Texas sheet cake. Cover it tightly and place it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Why is it called Texas sheet cake?

The cake is called “Texas sheet cake” because of its origins and the size of the cake. The name “Texas” is included to signify that it’s a cake that originated in Texas. The “sheet cake” part of the name refers to the method of baking the cake in a large, shallow baking sheet, resulting in a thin, single-layer cake.

Does Texas sheet cake need to be refrigerated?

Texas sheet cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days as long as the room isn’t too warm. You can refrigerate it to extend the life of the cake.

What size pan do you use for Texas sheet cake?

Texas sheet cake is most commonly baked in an 18×13 rimmed baking sheet.

Texas sheet can in a pan with a square cut out and a fork in it. it is surrounded by a kitchen towel

other dessert recipes you might like

If you make this recipe and love it, we would love a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! It helps us continue to provide free recipes.

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

Share on Facebook

Share

Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

No ratings yet
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 35 minutes
Servings: 20 people
This Texas Sheet Cake is the perfect amount of chocolate, moist, and delicious. You get a moist, easy-to-make cake, without the fuss and without it being too rich. It's easy to make and easy to serve.

Ingredients 

Cake Ingredients

Icing Ingredients

Instructions 

Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  • In a mixing bowl, cream together sugar, sour cream, and eggs.
  • Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
  • To a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Turn off heat and whisk in the water and cocoa until smooth.
  • Add the cocoa and butter mixture to the mixing bowl with the flour. Mix well to combine.
  • Pour the batter into a greased sheet pan with sides.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before icing. It can still be warm.

Icing

  • Heat a small saucepan over low heat.
  • Add the butter and let it melt completely.
  • Add the buttermilk and cocoa. Whisk to combine.
  • Remove it from the heat and add it to a mixing bowl with powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Spread it on the cake while the icing is still warm.
  • Let the cake cool completely before serving. The icing will firm up once it cools.

Video

Notes

  • When making the icing, it’s important to keep it over low heat. If you get it too hot, it will begin to separate.
  • You do not have to wait for the cake to completely cool to add the icing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 355kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 133mg, Potassium: 75mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 42g, Vitamin A: 476IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Hi! I’m Kara!

Kara loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

Browse More Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating