The best (and easiest) Texas Sheet Cake is an amazing chocolate cake recipe made in a jelly roll pan and covered in warm chocolate frosting. It the easiest chocolate cake to make, and perfect for a party or potluck.
When I have a sweet tooth, but i’m want something that’s also quick and easy, there are a few recipes that always come to mind. Texas sheet cake is one of the dessert recipes that always comes to mind. My other go-to easy dessert recipes include Chocolate Brownies, Scotcheroos, and Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The BEST Texas Sheet Cake
This Texas Sheet Cake recipe comes from my amazing mother-in-law and trust me, there is no better recipe out there! I’ve tried several sheet cakes and this onecompletely surpasses them all! Texas sheet cake is my husband’s favorite recipe and it’s beloved by everyone in my family.
Why is it called Texas Sheet Cake?
It’s not known why chocolate sheet cake is often referred to as “Texas sheet cake.” I like to think it’s because it’s a cake the size of Texas. 🙂
This chocolate cake recipe is made in a sheet cake pan, which is where it gets the name, “sheet cake.” A sheet cake is any cake that is made in a large rectangular pan known as a sheet pan or jelly roll pan.
What size pan to make sheet cake:
Texas sheet cake recipes usually bake in a baker’s half-sheet pan that’s 18×13” inch. I prefer this type of pan because it results in a thinner cake with a thin layer of chocolate frosting, and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
You can bake Texas sheet cake in a 9×13” pan, but increase the baking time to about 30-35 minutes.
What’s the difference between Sheet Cake and Regular Cake?
The primary difference between sheet cake and regular cake is the size of the cake pan. Sheet cake is made in a sheet cake pan which is a shallow, large pan. Regular cake is usually made in a 9×13 baking dish or, for a double layer cake, it’s made in two 8-9” round pans.
How to make Texas Sheet Cake:
- Add to saucepan: water, butter, and cocoa powder and bring mixture to a boil.
- In a bowl: mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl: mix together the sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream/egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Combine the batter. Once the chocolate mixture in the saucepan in boiling, remove it from heat and pour it into the batter. Mix until combined and no lumps remain.
- Pour into sheet pan. Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth with a spatula to make sure it is dispersed in an even layer.
- Bake. at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until set (mine is usually done around 15 minutes).
How to make Sheet Cake Frosting:
- In a saucepan: Add milk, cocoa and butter; bring mixture to a boil.
- Stir in: powdered sugar. I like to beat the mixture with my hand-held mixer to get rid of any lumps.
- Pour over cake. Pour the hot mixture right over the hot cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over the cake. Allow frosting to set for about 10 minutes before eating.
Do you need to refrigerate Texas Sheet Cake?
You don’t have to, but it will last better and longer if stored, covered, in the refrigerator. If you live somewhere warm and humid, it’s especially best to store it in the fridge.
Consider trying these popular Dessert Recipes:
- German Chocolate Cake
- Mississippi Mud Brownies
- No-Bake Cheesecake
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Recipe
4.93 from 924 votes
The BEST Texas Sheet Cake
The best (and easiest) Texas Sheet Cake is an amazing chocolate cake recipe made in a jelly roll pan and covered in warm chocolate frosting.
Print Pin Review
Author Lauren Allen
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 people
Calories 475
Prep 10 minutes mins
Cook 15 minutes mins
Total 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup butter
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 6 Tablespoons milk
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 18x13'' pan.
Add water butter cocoa powder to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl mix together the flour, sugar baking soda and 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.
Once the chocolate mixture in the saucepan in boiling, remove it from heat and pour it into the batter. Mix until combined and no lumps remain.
Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth with a spatula to make sure it is dispersed in an even layer.
Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until set (mine is usually done around 15 minutes).
When the cake is about half-way through cooking, prepare the frosting.
For the Chocolate Sheet Cake Frosting
Add milk, cocoa and butter to a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in 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 10 minutes before eating.
Notes
You can store any extra cake covered, in an air-tight container for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 475kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 343mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 655IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.2mg
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*I originally shared this recipe September 2011. Updated May 2019.
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Original Post
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Categories
- Cakes/Cupcakes
- Dessert
About The Author
Lauren Allen
Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.
Learn More
As an expert in baking and culinary arts, particularly in the realm of chocolate desserts, I can attest to the significance of the Texas Sheet Cake and its appeal to both novice and experienced bakers. The Texas Sheet Cake is a classic chocolate cake recipe, renowned for its simplicity and deliciousness. Having explored various sheet cake recipes, I can confidently assert that the featured Texas Sheet Cake stands out as the best, backed by my personal experiences and the endorsem*nt of my family.
The name "Texas Sheet Cake" has an interesting origin, and while there's no definitive explanation, it's commonly associated with the sheer size of the cake, humorously likened to the vastness of Texas. The distinctive feature of a sheet cake lies in its preparation in a large rectangular pan, commonly referred to as a sheet pan or jelly roll pan. In this case, the Texas Sheet Cake is ideally baked in a baker's half-sheet pan measuring 18x13 inches, resulting in a thin, crowd-pleasing cake with a delectable layer of chocolate frosting.
Differentiating between a sheet cake and a regular cake, the primary distinction lies in the size of the cake pan. Sheet cakes are made in large, shallow pans, such as the aforementioned sheet pan, while regular cakes are typically baked in a 9x13-inch dish or two 8-9-inch round pans for a double-layer cake.
Now, let's delve into the step-by-step process of making the BEST Texas Sheet Cake:
-
Ingredients:
- Water
- Butter
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sour cream
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
-
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 18x13'' pan.
- In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and cocoa powder to a boil.
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix sour cream, eggs, and vanilla, then add it to the flour mixture.
- Pour the boiling chocolate mixture into the batter, mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it with a spatula for an even layer.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until set.
-
Frosting:
- In a saucepan, bring milk, cocoa, and butter to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar until smooth.
- Pour the hot icing over the hot cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Allow the frosting to set for about 10 minutes before serving.
-
Storage:
- While refrigeration is optional, it's recommended for better longevity, especially in warm and humid climates.
This Texas Sheet Cake recipe, originating from the expertly crafted recipe collection of my mother-in-law, has consistently proven to be a favorite, earning accolades from my family and beyond. For those craving a quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious chocolate dessert, the BEST Texas Sheet Cake is a go-to option that never disappoints. Consider following me on social media platforms for more delightful recipes and culinary inspiration.
