Texas Sheet Cake is a thin, ultra-moist chocolate cake topped with a warm, pourable cocoa frosting that sets into a glossy, fudgy layer. Baked in a large sheet pan, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd and delivering bold chocolate flavor in every bite.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying. The cake is soft and tender, the frosting is rich and smooth, and the entire dessert comes together with pantry staples. It’s ideal for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, and anytime you need a reliable chocolate dessert.

Texas Sheet Cake

Texas Sheet Cake is a beloved Southern classic known for its rich chocolate flavor and signature thin, moist texture. Unlike traditional layer cakes, this cake is baked in a large sheet pan, making it easy to prepare and serve.

The batter comes together quickly, combining simple ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa, butter, and sour cream for a perfectly balanced chocolate base. The addition of sour cream keeps the cake tender and moist.

One of the defining features of Texas Sheet Cake is its boiled cocoa mixture. Melting butter with water and cocoa intensifies the chocolate flavor while creating a silky batter.

Because the cake is relatively thin, it bakes quickly—usually in about 20 minutes—making it a great last-minute dessert option.

The real magic happens with the frosting. While the cake is still warm, a rich cocoa icing is poured over the top, soaking slightly into the surface and forming a fudgy, glossy layer.

Chopped walnuts are often added for crunch, though they’re completely optional. They provide a lovely contrast to the smooth icing.

This cake is perfect for large gatherings since it yields many servings and is easy to slice into neat squares.

It’s also a nostalgic dessert that many families pass down through generations, often appearing at church potlucks, barbecues, and celebrations.

Because the frosting is spread while warm, it creates a uniquely soft and melt-in-your-mouth finish that sets this cake apart from others.

If you’re looking for a dependable, crowd-pleasing chocolate dessert with rich flavor and simple preparation, Texas Sheet Cake is always a winning choice.

Servings & Time

Servings: 15–20
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 40 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups white sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup sour cream

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup butter

• 1 cup water

• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Frosting

• 6 tablespoons milk

• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ cup butter

• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10×15-inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat in sour cream and eggs. Set aside.

3. In a saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup butter. Add water and 5 tablespoons cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

4. Allow mixture to cool slightly, then stir into the egg mixture until fully blended.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Make the Frosting

6. In a saucepan, combine milk, 5 tablespoons cocoa powder, and ½ cup butter. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

7. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in chopped walnuts if using.

8. Spread frosting evenly over the warm cake. Allow to set before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Frost While Warm: Ensures the icing spreads smoothly and sets perfectly.

• Don’t Overbake: The cake should remain moist and tender.

• Skip the Nuts if Needed: The cake is just as delicious without walnuts.

• Storage: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Make Ahead Friendly: Flavor improves after resting for several hours.