The Ultimate Texas Sheet Cake Recipe: A Classic Dessert Made Easy at Home

Have you ever craved a dessert that feeds a crowd, bakes quickly, and tastes absolutely divine? The texas sheet cake recipe is your answer. This beloved Southern classic combines rich chocolate flavor with a fudgy frosting that's poured over the cake while it's still warm, creating an irresistible treat that's perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dessert. Making this easy homemade texas sheet cake at home is not only more economical than store-bought alternatives, but it also allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize the flavors to your preference. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, this straightforward recipe will have you creating bakery-quality results in your own kitchen.

Ingredients List

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
    • 1 cup water
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

For the Chocolate Frosting:

    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 6 tablespoons milk
    • 1 pound (4 cups) powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 22 minutes

Total time: 37 minutes (plus cooling time)

This recipe is significantly faster than traditional layer cakes, making it ideal for last-minute entertaining. The single-layer design means no complicated assembly required.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10-inch rimmed baking sheet (jelly roll pan) with butter or cooking spray. This size is essential for achieving the signature thin, moist texture.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside. This ensures even distribution of ingredients throughout your batter.

Step 3: Create the Chocolate Base In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, immediately remove from heat. This technique ensures the cocoa dissolves completely without burning.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Pour the hot chocolate mixture over your dry ingredients and stir until just combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda, then add to the batter. Mix until smooth but don't overmix. The batter for this texas sheet cake recipe should be thin – this is normal and creates the perfect texture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Pour batter into your prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should spring back when lightly touched.

Step 6: Make the Frosting About 5 minutes before the cake is done, prepare your frosting. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa powder and milk. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add nuts if desired.

Step 7: Frost While Hot Pour the warm frosting over the cake immediately after removing it from the oven. Spread evenly with a spatula. This easy homemade texas sheet cake technique allows the frosting to soak slightly into the cake, creating incredible moistness.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 24):

    • Calories: 285
    • Protein: 2g
    • Carbohydrates: 42g
    • Fat: 13g
    • Fiber: 1g
    • Calcium: 3% DV
    • Iron: 6% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Flavor Variations: - Add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to the batter for deeper chocolate flavor - Substitute almond extract for vanilla for a unique twist - Top with shredded coconut, mini marshmallows, or toffee bits

Dietary Modifications: - For gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour - Dairy-free: Substitute plant-based butter and use almond milk instead of buttermilk (add 1 tablespoon lemon juice) - Reduce sugar by up to 1/4 cup in the cake without significantly affecting texture

Pro Tips: - Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation - Sift cocoa powder to prevent lumps - Don't skip the buttermilk – it creates tender crumb and balances sweetness - For easier cutting, refrigerate frosted cake for 30 minutes before slicing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Pan Size Using a smaller pan creates a thicker cake that won't bake properly and loses the characteristic texture. Always use the specified 15x10-inch pan.

Mistake 2: Overbaking Texas sheet cake should be moist and fudgy. Overbaking creates a dry, crumbly result. Check at 20 minutes and remove when just set.

Mistake 3: Letting the Cake Cool Before Frosting The warm-on-warm technique is essential. If the cake cools, the frosting won't properly absorb, resulting in a less flavorful dessert.

Mistake 4: Lumpy Frosting Always sift powdered sugar or whisk vigorously to eliminate lumps. A smooth frosting is key to professional-looking results.

Mistake 5: Overmixing the Batter Once you add the wet ingredients to dry, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten and creates a tough cake.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Proper storage keeps your texas sheet cake recipe creation fresh for days. Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. The high sugar and fat content preserve moisture naturally.

For longer storage, refrigerate your easy homemade texas sheet cake for up to 1 week. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture – cold cake can taste muted.

Freezing Instructions: Cut cake into individual portions and wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2-3 hours.

Reheating Tips: While delicious at room temperature, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven experience. Avoid reheating the entire cake, as this can dry it out.

The frosting may become slightly firmer when refrigerated but will soften again at room temperature. If storing in warm conditions, refrigeration prevents the frosting from becoming too soft.