You don’t have to be from the South to enjoy this decadent Texas Sheet Cake Recipe. Not only is this cake so easy to make but it is the best chocolate cake. Plus, that icing just melts in your mouth.

Close up image of a slice of Texas Sheet Cake on a white plate.
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Growing up, we always had Texas Sheet Cake Recipe at every holiday and family get together. Everyone always looked forward to this chocolate flavor cake and for good reason! It is the absolute best cake recipe ever!

It doesn’t matter if you have never made a cake and icing from scratch before because this recipe is super easy. You are going to love this cake and any of our Texas Desserts. I also have been making Easy Chocolate Depression Cake for years and it’s always a hit.

For individual desserts, try Texas Sheet Cake Bites.

Why is it called Texas sheet cake?

The cake is larger than most as it uses a large sheet cake. Many believe this is why it is called Texas sheet cake because of the large size.

It can also be said that the chocolate cake and chocolate icing that combine to make a decadent cake is another reason for the name. Everything is bigger in Texas and this cake is amazing. It is definitely a treat and not the first bit healthy.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose Flour
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • White Sugar
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Sour Cream
  • Eggs
  • Butter 

Ingredients for Frosting

  • Milk
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Butter
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Chopped Walnuts – This is optional. You can also use chopped pecans.

Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom in the recipe card.

How to make Texas Sheet Cake

  • Step 1. First, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then grease and flour the pan.
Bowl of dry ingredients and sour cream and eggs whisked in.

Step 2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Beat in the sour cream and eggs into the dry ingredients.

Saucepan with butter and cocoa.

Step 3. Next, melt the butter on low in a saucepan. Add the water and cocoa. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat.

Bowl with cocoa powder mixture.

Step 4. Allow to cool slightly, then add the cocoa mixture into the flour mixture.

Mixture spread on cake.

Step 5. Spread the batter into prepared sheet pan. Bake this cake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Saucepan with frosting mixture combined.

Step 6. Make the frosting while the cake cools. Use a large saucepan, combine the milk, cocoa and butter. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

Nuts folded into mixture.

Step 7. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, then fold in the nuts, mixing until blended.

Frosting spread on cake.

Step 8. Spread frosting over warm cake.

Cake cut into squares.

Step 9. Slice and enjoy.

Close up image of a slice of texas sheet cake on a white plate.

Storage

The size of the cake and the icing limits storage options.  I find it easiest to cover with plastic wrap on the baking sheet and then cut and serve when you are ready to enjoy. You can also place the leftovers inside an airtight container.

Also see How Long Does Birthday Cake Last.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it need to be refrigerated?

You can leave the cake out as long as it is wrapped properly. It should keep up to 5 days. If you refrigerate the cake, let it sit at room temperature before serving for best taste.

What makes Texas Sheet Cake different?

The biggest reason why the Texas Sheet Cake is different than other cake is how easy it is to put together. Instead of having to melt butter and the chocolate in separate bowels you can mix everything in one large mixing bowl or saucepan.

That is why I love making this sheet cake it has easy ingredients, easy process and easy cleanup. Plus it taste amazing.

What size pan do you use for a sheet cake?

This recipe uses a 10×15 baking sheet or jelly roll pan. Some people use a 9×13 pan but the cake will be thicker and not have the traditional Texas Sheet Cake look.

You can also use a bakers half sheet which is a 18×13.

Do you have to add the nuts?

We love the cake with nuts and you can use walnuts or pecans. They both are fabulous. If you don’t care for nuts, just leave them out and the cake will still be amazing. It is the best cake and we just love it.

It is very simple to make this your own. I have even did half and half. We have some people in the family that do not care for nuts.

Close up image of a slice of Texas Sheet Cake on a white plate.

Try these other easy cake recipes

Try this luscious Texas chocolate sheet cake recipe for the best treat. Leave a comment once you do.

Texas Sheet Cake

4.88 from 8 votes
You don't have to be from the South to enjoy this decadent Texas Sheet Cake Recipe. The cake is so moist and the icing just melts in your mouth.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 672

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10×15 inch pan.
  • Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Beat in the sour cream and eggs. Set aside. Melt the butter on low in a saucepan, add the water and 5 tablespoons cocoa. Bring mixture to a boil then remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir cocoa mixture into the egg mixture, mixing until blended.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • For the icing: In a large saucepan, combine the milk, 5 tablespoons cocoa and ½ cup butter. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, then fold in the nuts, mixing until blended. Spread frosting over warm cake.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 672kcal, Carbohydrates 94g, Protein 6g, Fat 33g, Saturated Fat 17g, Cholesterol 94mg, Sodium 416mg, Potassium 167mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 74g, Vitamin A 821IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 48mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

4.88 from 8 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Wanda C says:

    5 stars
    We love this cake. This is my first time using sour cream instead of buttermilk, but it’s delicious. Its perfect because I usually have sour cream on hand, but not buttermilk.

  2. Jackie Thome says:

    5 stars
    FAMILY FAVORITE

  3. Hema says:

    5 stars
    Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.

    1. Carrie says:

      Thank you!