Step into the heart of the Lone Star state with the timeless classic, Texas Sheet Cake. This rich and moist chocolate cake, paired with its smooth, fudgy frosting, is a dessert staple in Texas and beyond. It's easy to make, feeds a crowd, and always a hit at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. A bite of this cake takes you on a sweet journey through the southern charm and hospitality that Texas is known for.
Most of the ingredients in this Texas Sheet Cake recipe are quite common, probably already in your kitchen. The standout is instant coffee. It might not be a staple for everyone, but you'll find it in the coffee aisle of your supermarket. This magic ingredient elevates the chocolate flavor, giving your cake a depth that's hard to achieve otherwise. Don't worry, your cake won't taste like coffee; it simply boosts the existing chocolate flavor.
Key Ingredients for the Texas Sheet Cake and Frosting
Unsalted butter: Gives the cake and frosting a rich, creamy texture.
Cocoa powder: Provides the deep, chocolatey flavor central to this cake.
Flour: Serves as the base structure of the cake.
Sugar and brown sugar: Sweetens the cake, with the brown sugar adding a hint of molasses flavor.
Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and become light.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor.
Instant coffee: Though not tasted, it deepens the chocolatey flavor.
Sour cream: Adds moisture to the cake, making it tender.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients, giving the cake its structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
Milk: Used in the frosting to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting its sweet taste and helps it set up nicely on the cake.
One reader, Carlee Herrick says:
This Texas sheet cake recipe is a game-changer! The cake turned out moist and rich, and the frosting was the perfect balance of sweetness. It was a hit at my family gathering, and everyone asked for the recipe. I'll definitely be making this again!
Key Techniques for Making Texas Sheet Cake
Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F 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, combine the butter, water, and cocoa powder and cook until the butter is melted.
Bring mixture to a boil: Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
Whisk dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, sugars, baking soda, salt, and instant coffee in a large bowl.
Whisk wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Stir this into your dry ingredients until combined.
Combine chocolate mixture with flour/sour cream mixture: Once the chocolate mixture has cooled for at least 15 minutes, stir it into your flour/sour cream mixture until the mixture is smooth and completely combined.
Spread batter into prepared jelly roll pan: Spread the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Prepare frosting: Once the cake has finished baking (or several minutes before), begin preparing the frosting.
Combine milk and butter: Combine milk and butter in a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium/low heat until the butter is melted.
Whisk in cocoa powder: Once the butter has melted, remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder until combined. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
Pour frosting over warm cake: Pour the frosting over the warm cake.
Allow frosting to harden: Allow the frosting to harden for about one hour, then slice and serve.
How To Make Texas Sheet Cake
You’ll be surprised that despite being sheet cake, a serving is enriched with a decadent chocolatey flavor enhanced by the coffee and the vanilla extract.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cupunsalted buttercut into pieces
- 1cupwater
- ⅓cupcocoa powder
- 2cupsflour
- 1 ½cupssugar
- ½cupbrown sugar
- 1tspbaking soda
- ¾tspsalt
- ½tspinstant coffeeoptional
- ½cupsour cream
- 2largeeggsroom temperature
- 1tspvanilla extract
Texas Sheet Cake Frosting:
- 6tbspmilk
- ½cupbuttercut into pieces
- 6tbspcocoa powder
- 4cupspowdered sugarsifting is recommended, after measurinto avoid any lumps
- ¾tspvanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and thoroughly grease and flour a 10×15 jelly roll pan (or spray with baking spray).
-
Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat and cook until the butter is melted.
-
Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
-
While butter/cocoa mixture is cooling, whisk together flour, sugars, baking soda, salt and instant coffee in a large bowl.
-
In another bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Stir this into your dry ingredients until combined.
-
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 350 degrees F for 18 to 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.
-
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.
-
Pour over cake while cake is still warm.
-
Allow frosting to harden (about one hour) and then slice and serve!
Nutrition
- Calories: 1179.07kcal
- Fat: 21.48g
- Saturated Fat: 13.22g
- Trans Fat: 0.75g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.65g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.98g
- Carbohydrates: 252.36g
- Fiber: 1.96g
- Sugar: 236.33g
- Protein: 3.91g
- Cholesterol: 78.19mg
- Sodium: 224.20mg
- Calcium: 39.08mg
- Potassium: 126.25mg
- Iron: 1.05mg
- Vitamin A: 182.19µg
- Vitamin C: 0.07mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Nailing Texas Sheet Cake
When making the Texas sheet cake, ensure that the butter and cocoa powder mixture is allowed to cool sufficiently before combining it with the dry ingredients. This is crucial to prevent the eggs from cooking prematurely when they are added to the mixture. Also, when preparing the frosting, make sure the butter is fully melted before adding the cocoa powder. This will ensure a smooth and lump-free frosting. Lastly, pouring the frosting over the warm cake allows it to seep into the cake, making it extra moist and flavorful.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the dry ingredients the night before and store them in an airtight container. This will save time when you're ready to bake.
One-bowl wonders: Look for recipes that require minimal dishes and steps, making the cooking process more efficient.
Efficient equipment: Use kitchen tools like food processors and stand mixers to streamline the cooking and baking process.
Batch cooking: Make larger quantities of certain components, such as sauces or dough, and freeze the extras for future use.
Organized workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you cook to avoid wasting time searching for ingredients and tools.
Prep shortcuts: Utilize pre-cut vegetables, canned beans, and pre-made sauces to cut down on prep time without sacrificing flavor.
Multi-tasking: Plan your cooking process to include tasks that can be done simultaneously, such as chopping vegetables while something is baking in the oven.
Time-saving techniques: Learn time-saving cooking techniques, such as using pressure cookers or sheet pan meals, to expedite the cooking process.
Efficient cleanup: Clean as you go to avoid a big mess at the end, making the overall cooking experience more efficient.
Streamlined recipes: Choose recipes with minimal ingredients and simple instructions to save time and effort in the kitchen.
Substitute Ingredients For Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the recipe, while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
cocoa powder - Substitute with carob powder: Carob powder has a similar color and flavor profile to cocoa powder, making it a suitable alternative in this recipe for those looking to avoid caffeine.
flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to traditional flour, adding a nutty flavor and a slightly denser texture to the cake.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar, adding a distinct flavor and sweetness to the cake.
brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a less refined alternative to brown sugar, providing a similar sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: Baking powder can be used as a substitute for baking soda in this recipe, although the leavening effect may be slightly different.
instant coffee - Substitute with coffee extract: Coffee extract can be used to add a concentrated coffee flavor to the recipe without the need for instant coffee.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream, providing a similar tangy flavor and moisture to the cake.
eggs - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a vegan-friendly alternative to eggs, adding moisture and binding properties to the cake.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative to milk, providing a subtle nutty flavor to the frosting.
butter - Substitute with vegan butter: Vegan butter can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, providing a similar richness and flavor to the frosting.
cocoa powder - Substitute with cacao powder: Cacao powder can be used as a less processed alternative to cocoa powder, providing a rich chocolate flavor to the frosting.
powdered sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a less refined alternative to powdered sugar, although the texture and sweetness may differ slightly.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can be used to add a nutty flavor to the frosting in place of vanilla extract.
Presentation Ideas for Texas Sheet Cake
Elevate the plating: When presenting the Texas sheet cake, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing plating. Use a large, rectangular serving platter to showcase the cake beautifully.
Garnish with fresh berries: Add a pop of color and freshness to the plating by garnishing the Texas sheet cake with a selection of fresh berries. This will not only enhance the visual appeal but also add a delightful burst of flavor.
Incorporate edible flowers: Elevate the presentation by delicately placing edible flowers around the cake. This adds a touch of sophistication and a subtle floral aroma to the dish.
Dust with powdered sugar: Before serving, lightly dust the entire cake with a fine layer of powdered sugar. This adds a touch of elegance and a hint of sweetness to the presentation.
Accompany with a dollop of whipped cream: Serve each slice of Texas sheet cake with a small dollop of freshly whipped cream on the side. This adds a creamy, luxurious element to the dish.
Use a decorative cake server: When serving the cake, use a stylish and elegant cake server to add a touch of refinement to the presentation.
Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle a small amount of rich, dark chocolate sauce over the cake just before serving. This adds a decadent finishing touch to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making a Perfect Texas Sheet Cake
- Oven: A kitchen appliance used for baking and roasting food.
- Jelly roll pan: A shallow rectangular baking pan with slightly raised edges, used for making sheet cakes, jelly rolls, and other baked goods.
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a long handle and a lid, used for cooking sauces, soups, and other liquids.
- Whisk: A kitchen utensil used for whipping and mixing ingredients together.
- Mixing bowl: A bowl used for combining ingredients together, such as in baking or cooking.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Tools used for accurately measuring ingredients for recipes.
- Spatula: A kitchen tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade, used for lifting and turning food during cooking.
- Baking spray: A non-stick cooking spray specifically designed for baking, used to grease baking pans and prevent food from sticking.
- Toothpick: A small, pointed wooden stick used for testing the doneness of baked goods by inserting it into the center and checking for crumbs.
- Serving platter: A large, flat dish used for serving and presenting food, such as cakes and desserts.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Texas Sheet Cake
Allow the texas sheet cake to cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent the frosting from melting and ensure the cake maintains its texture.
To store the cake at room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The cake will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored properly.
If you prefer to refrigerate the cake, place it in an airtight container or wrap it securely with plastic wrap. The texas sheet cake will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cake:
- Cut the cake into individual portions or leave it whole, depending on your preference.
- Wrap each piece or the entire cake tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain.
- Follow up by wrapping the cake in a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn.
- Label the wrapped cake with the date and place it in the freezer.
- Frozen texas sheet cake can be stored for up to 3 months.
To thaw the frozen cake, remove it from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can serve the cake chilled or allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
If you have frosted the cake before freezing, be aware that the frosting may crack or become slightly grainy after thawing. To minimize this, you can freeze the cake unfrosted and add the frosting once it has thawed.
How To Reheat Leftover Texas Sheet Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a piece of leftover texas sheet cake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cover the cake loosely with another piece of foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cake is heated through and the frosting is melted and gooey.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place a slice of texas sheet cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 15-20 seconds. Check the cake and heat it for an additional 5-10 seconds if needed. Be careful not to overheat the cake, as it can become rubbery or dry.
If you have a large portion of leftover cake, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Place the cake in the slow cooker and cover it with the lid. Heat on low for 1-2 hours, or until the cake is heated through and the frosting is melted and bubbly.
For a crispy texture, you can reheat the texas sheet cake in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place a slice of cake in the basket. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cake is heated through and the edges are slightly crispy.
If you want to reheat the cake without drying it out, you can use a steamer. Place a slice of texas sheet cake in a steamer basket and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the cake is heated through and the frosting is melted and glossy.
Interesting Trivia About Texas Sheet Cake
The Texas sheet cake is a classic Southern dessert that originated in the 1950s. It's known for its rich, moist texture and decadent chocolate flavor. This cake is often served at potlucks, family gatherings, and special occasions, making it a beloved dessert in Texas and beyond. Its large size and simple preparation make it a convenient option for feeding a crowd. The cake is typically topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting that sets to a smooth, glossy finish. It's a popular choice for those with a sweet tooth and is a staple in many home kitchens and bakeries.
Is Making Texas Sheet Cake at Home Cost-Effective?
This texas sheet cake recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as cocoa powder, flour, and sugar, are affordable and readily available. The cake serves a large group, making it a budget-friendly dessert option. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$15, depending on the availability and pricing of ingredients. The overall verdict for this recipe is 9/10, considering its simplicity, delicious taste, and economical nature.
Is Texas Sheet Cake Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Texas sheet cake recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The cake itself contains a significant amount of butter, sugar, and refined flour, which are all high in calories and low in nutritional value. The frosting also consists mainly of butter, sugar, and cocoa powder, further increasing the calorie and sugar content of the dessert.
However, there are several ways to make this recipe healthier without compromising its taste:
- Replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour to increase the fiber and nutrient content
- Reduce the amount of sugar in both the cake and frosting, or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup instead
- Swap out some of the butter for healthier alternatives like Greek yogurt, applesauce, or mashed avocado
- Incorporate more nutritious ingredients into the cake batter, such as shredded zucchini, carrots, or beets for added moisture and vitamins
- Top the cake with fresh berries or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added flavor and texture, while also providing some extra nutrients
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of this classic dessert that still satisfies your sweet tooth. Remember, moderation is key when it comes to enjoying treats like this Texas sheet cake, so savor a small slice and share the rest with friends and family.
Editor's Opinion on This Classic Texas Dessert
The Texas sheet cake recipe is a classic and indulgent dessert that is sure to please a crowd. The combination of rich cocoa, butter, and a hint of coffee creates a moist and flavorful cake, while the decadent frosting adds a perfect touch of sweetness. The recipe's straightforward instructions make it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers, and the end result is a delicious, fudgy cake that is perfect for any occasion. Whether it's for a potluck, family gathering, or just a sweet treat at home, this Texas sheet cake is a winner.
Enhance Your Texas Sheet Cake Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Suggested Appetizers and Entrées to Serve with Texas Sheet Cake
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