Extra moist, richly chocolatey, smothered with a glossy fudge frosting, this Texas Sheet Cake recipe takes the classic you know and love and amps it up a notch. I’ve tweaked this recipe to absolute perfection and I think you’ll love my take on this well-loved sheet cake. Recipe includes a how-to video!
I originally shared this recipe for Texas Sheet Cake over on Spend with Pennies!
I’m so in love with this cake. The tender chocolate crumb, the sleek, fudgy, shiny frosting, how simple it is to make…
Chocolate lovers, you’re going to want to try this one.
Chances are you’ve had or at least heard of Texas sheet cake before (fun fact: Texas sheet cake didn’t actually originate in Texas, just like German chocolate cake isn’t from Germany!). It’s a southern classic, baked in a jelly roll pan and perfect for bringing to a party or potluck. Or polishing off by yourself, I don’t judge.
Texas sheet cake is a classic, and the age-old recipe was almost perfect as-is. Almost. You know I can’t resist tweaking anything I try, and this recipe was no exception. I wanted the crumb to be just a bit softer, moister, more flavorful, and richer than the original, and oh did we get there. I took a few notes from my (best ever) chocolate cake recipe:
- Brown sugar in addition to granulated adds both moisture and a depth of flavor.
- A splash of vanilla extract, for added flavor of course.
- A sprinkle of instant coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
- Extra cocoa powder, for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
These small modifications make this cake a chocolate-lover’s dream.
And that frosting! That beautifully glossy blanket of chocolate fudge frosting is simple to make and absolutely heavenly. It’s made on the stovetop like a ganache, but it’s not quite as heavy, instead it’s light and melts in your mouth, giving way to that perfect chocolate crumb.
Storing
Chances are you won’t have any leftovers. But just in case you want to make it in advance:
Texas sheet cake can be stored covered or in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. It will keep longer in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that the fridge tends to dry out cakes, even if they are covered. This cake can also be frozen. Allow it to cool completely and then cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Enjoy! For a peanut buttery variation, try my peanut butter sheet cake!
More Chocolate Recipes to Try:
Let’s bake together! Head on over to my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 200 recipe videos that you can watch for free!
The Best Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
- 1 cup (235 ml) water
- ⅓ cup (33 g) cocoa powder
- ½ cup (125 g) sour cream
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee optional
FROSTING
- 6 Tablespoons whole milk
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter cut into pieces
- 6 Tablespoons natural cocoa powder
- 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar sifting is recommended (after measuring) to avoid any lumps
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup toasted pecans optional, see note
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease and flour a 10x15 jelly roll pan (or spray with baking spray).
- Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 15-20 minutes.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (235 ml) water, ⅓ cup (33 g) cocoa powder
- While butter/cocoa mixture is cooling, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and instant coffee in a large bowl.2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon instant coffee, ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- In another bowl, whisk together sour cream and eggs and vanilla. Stir this into your dry ingredients until combined.½ cup (125 g) sour cream, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once the chocolate mixture has cooled for at least 15 minutes, stir into your flour/sour cream mixture until mixture is smooth and completely combined.
- Spread batter into prepared jelly roll pan and bake on 350F (175C) for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Once cake has finished baking (or several minutes before), begin preparing frosting.
FROSTING
- Combine milk and butter in a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium/low heat until butter is melted. Once butter has melted, remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder until combined. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.6 Tablespoons whole milk, ½ cup (113 g) salted butter, 6 Tablespoons natural cocoa powder, 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour over cake while cake is still warm. If using pecans, sprinkle over frosting now.1 cup toasted pecans
- Allow frosting to harden (about one hour) and then slice and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Debbie Leach
My butter and milk separated when making my frosting what did I do wrong.?
Sam
Hi Debbie! Did it come back together when you added the sugar?
Kelly
Live this recipe and this cake and yes, I am a Texan. I have often altered this recipe a bit using different spices along with the cinnamon such as cardamom clove, ginger, some nutmeg, I guess, depending on how spicy ever made I’m in, but I can tell you it’s really really good with a hot cup of coffee. So, I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy you enjoyed the cake Kelly! We’ll have to experiment with adding some spices 🩷
Corri
Well, my cake has already cooled. Will the frosting still work?
Sam
Yes 🙂
Monica C
Can you cook the cake in a Bundt pan?
Sam Merritt
Hi Monica! I haven’t tried it in a bundt pan. I think it could work, but it will definitely be a different experience from a typical Texas sheet cake. 🙂
Cindy
This cake is a family favorite and your recipe is by far the Best!
Can this recipe be made into cupcakes?
Sam
Hi Cindy! I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure how this would work as cupcakes. The frosting could also be tricky to add at the end.
Joni
Can this be made in a Bundt cake pan?
Sam
Hi Joni! It’s a very soft cake and I’m not sure how much it would fill the pan. I think it could work, but I’m not sure.
Erin
This is the best Texas Sheet Cake I’ve ever made. It will be my go to recipe for quick, easy, nommy chocolate cake. I subbed a cup of coffee from my morning pot for the water and omitted the instant coffee granules. The chocolate flavor was so deep and rich. I will also use this frosting recipe for Smith Island Cake. It’s perfect and easier than the one I have.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Erin! 🙂
Shannon C
My granny always made Texas sheet cake and this one tasted EXACTLY like hers♥️. Thank you so much for this recipe. I do have one question….is there a way to make this icing like a vanilla icing? What would you add in place of the cocoa powder? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Shannon! It would take a bit of tweaking to get a vanilla frosting so I can’t say for sure how to do it.
Julie L
Amazing!! Made it as written and it turned out perfectly. Think it may even taste better on day 2! This is a keeper – thanks Sam!
Betty A Mauer
l didn’t have sour cream so I used Greek yogurt and came out perfectly. thanks for posting.
Sam
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Betty! 🙂
Lindi
Made this cake again today for the second time. It hasn’t even been a month since I made it for the first time. After the first time, I immediately printed the recipe and added it to my recipe binder because I KNEW I’d be making this a lot. I halved the recipe this time to go in my quarter sheet pan and it worked great (frosting comes right to the top of the pan). For the half batch, I baked for about 16 minutes. The first time, I added the instant coffee and for the half batch I did not. It’s only a slight difference but I do think it helps bring out the chocolate flavor more! So, I won’t skip that next time. Also, sifting the powdered sugar was taking a million years so I gave up on that, but it does help to whisk the frosting a lot! The only reason I halved the recipe is because I was short on powdered sugar. Well, that, and I ate about half the pan myself last time. Ha! This would be awesome to take to a BBQ or party. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for the kind review, Lindi! We are so happy you found our recipe and enjoyed it so much ❤️
Sonia K Saldana
OMG! This is SOOO Good! I didn’t have an 10×15 pan, so I used what I had. Came out great! The icing did go over a little, (I anticipated it would) so I took out my large wooded board, put foil on it and iced. Longest hour to wait for cake, BUT SOO WORTH IT! Thank U! Sonia ♥️
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Sonia! 🥰
Allison Moyer
I want to double this in a deeper 1/2 sheet pan. Do you think it will turn out ok? Do you have a guess on how much longer in the oven?
Sam
Hi Allison I have not tried it, but I think it could work. I’m not sure on a bake time.
Tracy Walker
Hi! What sized baking pan did you use?
Susan
I use a half sheet pan 18″x13″x1″ from Sam’s Club & it is a perfect size! Good luck!
Pamela
I appreciate your adding in the ingredients just under each step to save us the hassle of scrolling up & back!
Erin
Me too!!!
Alvera May
Been looking for my Texas sheiku recipe. This looks exactly like the one I lost. Thanks so much for doing the video great job!
Sam
I hope you love it, Alvera! 🙂
Audrey
Every recipe I’ve ever made from Sam has been amazing, and this cake did not disappoint! 15/10, probably the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. So delicious, soft, and so moist. I actually made it in a 9×13 pan because it was what I had and baked it for longer, checking for the toothpick to come out clean, and it worked great. Will definitely be making this again soon!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Audrey! 🙂
Rachel
This recipe is delicious and the cake is to die for. I appreciate the boosted cocoa flavor over the typical Texas sheet cake recipe.
My only issue was baking it in a jelly roll pan (instead of the traditional half sheet pan). The cake rises to pretty much the top of the pan and there’s no room for the warm, liquidity icing to go! My icing started spilling over the sides of the pan and I had to “extend” the side of the pan with a makeshift aluminum foil guard to contain the icing while it hardened. I think I’ll stick to the traditional half sheet size unless I can figure out what I may have done wrong.
Sam
Hi Rachel! Mine cake does come pretty close to the very top of the pan, you can see it in the post. I wonder if your frosting was just a bit too runny. You can also see the consistency in the photos as well. I have a video just above the recipe that could be helpful. The frosting should start setting up pretty quickly so shouldn’t be overly runny. I hope it goes better next time and I’m glad you were still able to enjoy it! 🙂
Alejandra
This is the first cake I have ever baked and it came out great! The intructions and video were easy to follow. The end result was a delicious and moist chocolate cake. Thank you for the great recipe!
Janet Jones
Can I use sour cream instead of whole milk. Would portion be the same if I can?
Sam
Hi Janet! Unfortunately I am not sure how sour cream would work here.
Jackie
I made this cake this morning for Christmas and it is the best cake I have ever had. The icing was perfect. The cake was so moist and light tasting. Thank you so much for an awesome recipe.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you loved it, Jackie! Thanks for trying our recipe 😊