Description
Texas Sheet Cake is a rich, ultra-moist chocolate cake topped with a warm, fudgy chocolate frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans. It’s easy to make, perfect for feeding a crowd, and always a hit at potlucks and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×18-inch sheet pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, then remove from heat.
- Pour hot cocoa mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Add to the batter and stir until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and milk, stirring constantly until smooth and just bubbling.
- Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans if using.
- Pour warm frosting over the hot cake and spread evenly. Allow to cool before slicing.
Notes
- Pour the frosting over the cake while both are still warm for the best texture.
- Chopped pecans add crunch, but you can omit them for a nut-free version.
- This cake stays moist for days—perfect for make-ahead desserts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Texas sheet cake, chocolate sheet cake, chocolate frosting, pecan cake, crowd-pleaser dessert