Texas Sheet Cake—because everything really is bigger (and better!) in Texas, especially our cakes! While I’ve had my fair share of dry and dense versions, I promise you—this is not one of them. In fact, this moist and tender Texas Sheet Cake is topped with a rich, fudgy icing that melts in your mouth, especially when served warm. Whether you're baking for a potluck, party, or just because, this easy, crowd-pleasing chocolate cake is a no-fail favorite. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with this classic Southern dessert!
Need more recipe ideas to feed a crowd? Try my Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies for a Crowd or to satisfy the little try my Sheet Pan Rice Krispie Treats.
Ingredients
- water
- butter
- unsweetened cocoa
- flour
- sugar
- baking soda
- salt
- sour cream
- eggs
- vanilla
- milk
- powdered sugar
See recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
This recipe definitely has several steps, however they are not difficult. Before you know it you will have a delicious, warm cake to serve to all of your guests! Start by adding water, butter and cocoa to a saucepan. Bring that to a boil. Once boiling add to your dry ingredients that you combined while bring that mixture to a boil. In another bowl stir together the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Mix all of this together until combined. Pour this into the greased baking sheet and bake. Halfway through that bake time mix the frosting ingredients and pour it over hot cake. Allow to set for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Equipment
Having a good quality sheet pan (half sheet pan) in your baking arsenal is so important. Whether for cookies, bread loaves, sheet pan desserts the list in endless. Here is an affiliate link to my favorite baking supplies! Be sure and grab a sheet pan cover too! Find it in the link above!
Storage
To keep it fresh, simply keep this pan covered ([link above]), and it will stay moist and delicious for 3–4 days. Personally, I absolutely love this cake warmed up! Whenever I’m ready for a slice, I just throw it in the microwave for a few seconds and dig in. Every time, it turns out fudgy, rich, and completely irresistible.
More Desserts
Texas Sheet Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup butter
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 6 Tablespoons milk
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup butter
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a 18"x13" pan (half sheet pan).
- Add water, butter and cocoa powder to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil.1 cup water, 1 cup butter, 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Meanwhile, in a separate bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. (use a bowl that is heat safe)2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- In another small bowl mix together the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream/egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined.½ cup sour cream, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once the chocolate mixture in the saucepan is boiling, remove it from heat and pour it into the batter. Mix until combined and no lumps remain. I like to use a hand mixer for this.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth with a spatula to make sure it is in an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until set (mine is usually done around 15 minutes). When the cake is a little over half-way through cooking, prepare the frosting.
For the Chocolate Sheet Cake Frosting
- Pre-measure powdered sugar in a heat safe bowl. Add milk, cocoa and butter to a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, remove it from the heat and stir into the bowl of powdered sugar. I like to beat the mixture with my hand-held mixer to get rid of any lumps. Pour hot icing over hot cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over the cake. Allow frosting to set for about 15 minutes before eating.6 Tablespoons milk, 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup butter, 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
Beverly Cleveland says
I’ve made a lot of sheet cakes over the years, but this one is by far the best I’ve ever made. I’ve got a farm stand, and this goes quicker than anything!
Misty Tannery says
Wow! I am so glad you like it so much! Thank you for sharing!