Texas Sheet Cake

Contents… Why Is It Called That? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks FAQs More Awesome Cake Recipes to Try Watch How To Make It

Why Is it Called a Texas Sheet Cake?

The name Texas Sheet Cake is connected to this drool-worthy cake containing Texans’ beloved ingredients, pecans and buttermilk. It’s also a simpler version of German Chocolate Cake, which is slightly more laborious than this one-pan-and-stir-everything-in Texan version.

Instead of cake pans, you use a regular sheet pan, thus the name sheet cake. I tell you guys, this one here is super easy to make and perfect to whip up any time of the year.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Unsalted Butter – It’s a standard baking ingredient that gives buttery richness.
2. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – What’s a chocolate cake with cocoa powder. 😂 However, you can replace it with an equal amount of carob powder if you can’t have caffeine.
3. Sugar – Brown and granulated sugar sweeten the deal and add moisture.
4. All-Purpose Flour – The perfect base for this awesome cake. Feel free to use a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix if you need to.
5. Sour Cream – Tangy and high fat for a perfectly moist cake, and its acidity activates the baking soda for a better rise. Buttermilk or yogurt works if you don’t have sour cream.
6. Eggs – This versatile ingredient is a leavening agent, binder, and flavor enhancer. Check out my list of egg substitutes if you can’t eat them.
7. Vanilla Extract – It’s the ultimate flavor balancer and enhancer for desserts. And homemade vanilla extract is both super easy and economical. 
8. Chocolate Frosting – Butter, cocoa powder, buttermilk, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and pecans make the best all-around frosting. Oh yeah!

How to Make Texas Sheet Cake

The Cake

• Set-Up – Preheat your oven to 350℉. Spray a half-sheet pan (13×18 inches) or (11x16x1.5-inch jelly roll) and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Wet Ingredients – Add butter, water, and cocoa to a large saucepan and cook on medium-high heat, then bring to a boil. (Photos 1-2)
• Dry Ingredients – Remove the pan from the stove and add the brown and sugar, followed by flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until blended. (Photos 3-4)
• The Final Stretch – Next, add eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix it well by using a hand-held mixer. (Photos 5-6)
• Bake – Pour cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 18- 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for about 20-30 minutes. (Photos 7-8)

Chocolate Frosting

• Make the Base – Add milk, cocoa, and butter to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. (Photo 9)
• Add the Flavor – Stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, mixing until well blended. (Photo 10)
• Finishing Touch – Spread the frosting over the warm cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans, or sprinkles, if desired. (Photo 11-12)

Recipe Variations

1. Black Coffee. For those who love a hint of coffee in their cakes, you can replace the 1 cup of water with black coffee to the batter to add another layer of flavor to this cake. It also enhances the chocolate flavor of the cake.
2. Peanut Butter Frosting. If you want another layer of flavor in this cake, you can sub the butter-cocoa frosting with 1 cup of peanut butter and a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
3. Milk and Vinegar Mixture. If you don’t have any buttermilk or sour cream in your fridge, you can replace it by pouring under 1/2 cup of regular milk in a measuring cup, then adding enough regular vinegar to bring the milk up to 1/2 cup.
4. Yogurt – its acidity helps baking soda do its work which is to leaven the batter which helps give a moist and fluffy cake.
5. Walnuts – you can add this together with Pecan nuts or substitute it in the recipe. Don’t worry, both of these are a delicious addition to the cake.
6. Carob Powder – It tastes like chocolate and is also sweet. It’s actually made from ground dried and roasted Carob tree pods. Use equal proportions as the amount of cocoa called for in the recipe.

Tips and Tricks

1. If you don’t have any buttermilk or sour cream in your fridge, you can replace it with a cup of whole milk and two teaspoons of vinegar.
2. Baking time can vary depending on the oven and altitude. Start checking for doneness around 15 minutes if you’re unsure.

FAQs

More Awesome Cake Recipes to Try

1. Vanilla Cake
2. 7Up Pound Cake
3. Blueberry Lemon Cake
4. Tres Leches Cake
5. Buttermilk Pound Cake

Watch How to Make It

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