Texas Sheet Cake

SERVES: 15

COOK TIME: 30 Min

They say "everything is bigger in Texas," and that goes for our easy recipe for Texas Sheet Cake, too! This crowd-sized chocolate sheet cake will delight chocolate lovers, and definitely take the cake at your next big gathering. Whether you make this Texas sheet cake recipe for a Church potluck or serve up slices at your family reunion, no one will be able to get enough of this original Texas sheet cake!

What You'll Need

2 sticks butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
5 tablespoons milk
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What to Do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 2 sticks butter, water, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder; cook until butter is melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl to cool. Add flour, granulated sugar, eggs, sour cream, baking soda, and salt; beat until well combined, then pour into a 10- x 15-inch rimmed baking sheet.
Bake 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean; set aside to cool.
In a small saucepan over low heat, make frosting by melting the 1/4 cup butter with milk and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder. Remove from heat and place in a large bowl. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Frost cooled cake.

Note

If you want to fancy this up a bit, sprinkle with broken-up pieces of your favorite chocolate candy bar or Texas-sized whole shelled walnuts!
Not feeling this chocolate version? Don't worry—we've got a white cake version too with our White Texas Sheet Cake. Or if you'd like another Texas treat, check out our Texas Sticky Buns.

This recipe is just one way to enjoy the larger-than-life tastes that you can find in Texas cooking. For more easy recipes from Texas, check out our collection of 8 Easy Texas Recipes.

Did You Know?

Ever wondered, "What is Texas sheet cake anyway?" Well, we've got a few answers! While no one know exactly where it came from, it started to gain popularity in the South sometime in the mid-twentieth century. It's similar to recipes like Sweet Chocolate Cake and German Chocolate Cake and usually comes in chocolate or vanilla. Texas sheet cake is known for being long and thin because it's prepared in a sheet pan and usually topped with frosting and even a variety of add-ons like pecans or sprinkles. Other variations typically include buttermilk or sour cream! This is also a great starter recipe for making a layered cake by making two or more and adding jelly or frosting in between!

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 15

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 449
Calories from Fat 162
Total Fat 18g 28 %
Saturated Fat 11g 55 %
Trans Fat 0.6g 0 %
Protein 3.4g 7 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 71mg 24 %
Sodium 313mg 13 %
Total Carbohydrates 71g 24 %
Dietary Fiber 0.9g 4 %
Sugars 57g 0 %

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Delphine Bryant

May 31, 2018

These sound so yummy. I love these quick to prepare cheesecakes. I know they are not the real thing but they are a good stand in for me. I also love when these recipes provide you the opportunity to make them in single size servings. These are great to serve at parties because guests can help themselves.

pattyh76013 279257 2

Feb 28, 2017

Sorry, but I've been making the Texas Sheet Cake for decades, and my mother made it for decades prior to that! The one thing that make the REAL Texas Sheet Cake unique, is that it contains cinnamon! It also has buttermilk - but NO sour cream! The cake in this article needs a different name! It is NOT the Texas Sheet Cake! (Oh, yeah! I've also lived in Texas for 62 years!)

pattyh76013 279257 2

Feb 28, 2017

I actually needed to add to my comment, but cannot edit! One other major point I wanted to make, is that the real Texas Sheet Cake has pecans in the frosting - and NEVER walnuts! (The Texas state tree, by the way, is the Pecan tree!)

fairfld61 7546903

Jan 07, 2016

The only thing I do differently is that I pour the warm icing on the warm cake. it keeps the icing glossy and just slightly soaks into the cake. Delicious!

TOLANE 0583501

Sep 08, 2015

this cake will be enhanced with the addition of 1 tsp. of cinnamon. been making this cake for 50 years - always use Texas pecans.

whosyournana 96222 26

Sep 08, 2015

this is the "Cola Cake" our family has made for years. replace water with choice of Coke, Pepsi or Cherry Cola

Member 8016397

Aug 01, 2014

My whole family enjoyed this and I will do this again.

champagnepink54 92 17906

Jul 04, 2014

What is a stick of butter please tell me in grams

Test Kitchen Team

Jul 07, 2014

One stick of butter is equal to 113 grams.

Granny5

May 13, 2014

An oldie but goodie!!!! :)

deelemser 4976252

May 10, 2014

This is the absolute favorite in my family. I started making this recipe about 30 years ago and it is still the "Go To" recipe for any family special occasion. Just love it. The best is you can make the batter in a large pot on the stove, pour it into the cake pan, wash the pot and then make the icing in the same pan. Love only 1 pan to wash. We have to add pecans in the icing - makes it even more special and delicious!

jennymcdowell21 63 67831

Mar 07, 2013

that sounds good

maureenr1999 34323 37

Jan 18, 2013

I put pecans and mini marshmallows on the cake right before frosting it. Make sure you cover them all and it looks nice and bumpy. Kind of a rocky road frosting. YUM!

Lucaselizabeth1950 5495154

Oct 15, 2012

sounds great.but i am looking for a texas sheet cake recipes that calls for coffee in it,help

mama2catz

Jan 18, 2013

My recipe is almost identical to Mr. Food's except I use cold, strong brewed coffee instead of water, and buttermilk instead of sour cream. Also, my frosting calls for 1 stick (1/2 C.) butter + 1 t. vanilla. Enjoy!

trukcrzy 2831246

Jun 18, 2012

I put the mixture in a 10x15 rimmed pan and it ran over, I think the 11x17 would of been a better choice.

TN Carol B

Apr 15, 2012

We pour the frosting over this cake straight out of the oven. Stays moist forever! My mom started making this when i was little. It's great. Carol B

flaminghot0617 476 1199

Apr 14, 2012

My family has been making the texas sheet cake for over 40 years an we love it! Adding the cocoa makes it a real chocolate cake!! I also make peanut butter sheet cake an it has become a favorite!! I love Mr Food website an for me is a go-2 when I need a good recipe!

drummert33k 803327 6

Sep 11, 2012

How do you make your peanut butter frosting? I have lost my recipe and so love the warm peanut butter frosting.

longlakegrams 8581 230

Apr 14, 2012

I have made this recipe forever - the only chocolate cake recipe I make at the request of many in my family.

XYOOPER97 2547850

Apr 14, 2012

It really looks good well have to make it. xyooper97@gmail.com

pro691

Apr 13, 2012

The chocolate is not listed, however it shows in the narrative that you use the remaining chocolate.

mary0087 9096023

Apr 14, 2012

If you look at the ingredients list it shows 1/4 cup...PLUS 2 tablespoons cocoa powder. That's where the "remaining cocoa" comes from.

plpell49 7685452

Apr 13, 2012

picture shows chocolate cake and chocolate frosting, but the recipe does not mention chocolate in the frosting.......whats up????

marykaybond 694704 4

Apr 13, 2012

Cocoa powder; It goes in the cake and also in the Frosting :-)

pwall 6609295

Apr 13, 2012

I have been making this cake, since I'm from Texas, for over 40 years now and it is ALWAYS a big hit. We love it! Texans like pecans better in the frosting. Sheila's mom is right!

sheilat428 7038356

Feb 06, 2012

My mom has been baking this cake for years, and she puts pecans in the frosting. and.... "ooh it's so good!!"

Lovepeto

Jan 25, 2012

Been making this for years, and I also add cinnamon and pour the frosting on the hot cake. This can also be baked in a 9x13 pan. It's incredible.

fhquilting 3424938

Jan 19, 2012

I have made this cake since the early 70's. I add 1 tsp. each of cinnamon and vanilla to the cake batter. When the cake is baked, I cover the top with miniature marchmallows and return it to the oven just long enough to soften the marshmallows. You do not need to spread them. Pour the icing over the marshmallows on the hot cake and top with chopped walnuts right away. I call this Rocky Road Texas Sheet cake. People love it!!

Mybobba1 6118392

Jan 18, 2012

I have been making this for many many years but I always put the icing on while the cake is hot, really yummy

magansbay

Nov 07, 2011

I've made this for a number of years but with two addition. My recipe calls for 1T cinnamon in the cake mix. The frosting is made with butter, powered sugar and coffee. Yummy

soloman

Jun 25, 2011

Can i substitute butter for margarine. I don't like that plastic stuff. Would a stick of butter be a good substitute?

Buddyboysmom

Jun 10, 2011

I have been making the Texas Cake for over 40 years and it's always a hit. I make the entire cake in the sauce pan, removing it from the stove when the butter and cocoa are melted and mixing in the remaining ingredients by hand. It's that easy. While the cake is baking, I mix the frosting using 1 stick of butter and liquid coffee instead of milk. When the cake is done, cool slightly and pour frosting on the cake. It comes out like fudge. There's never enough!