Enjoy this rich and chocolatey Texas sheet cake recipe that people have been enjoying making since the 1970s. Often contributed to bake sales and potluck dinners, this old standard is still loved today.
Once again, I'm going back in time to share something that I have had and made many times, especially when I was a kid. It's a chocolate sheet cake recipe made in a large saucepan.
I know it as Texas sheet cake, but I have no idea if it originated in Texas or how it made its way to Pennsylvania. I did a little research about the name and found this interesting article from the Library of Congress titled, "The Great Sheet Cake Mystery."
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
Ingredients
- butter
- water
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- flour (all-purpose)
- sugar (white granulated)
- salt
- baking soda
- sour cream
- large eggs
Icing
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- powdered sugar
- butter
- whole milk
- vanilla extract
Making Texas Sheet Cake
Step 1. Yes, this cake starts in a saucepan. You combine the butter, water, and cocoa in a pan over medium-high heat. Once it starts to boil, remove it from the heat and set it aside.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Step 3. In another bowl, whisk two large eggs with sour cream.
Step 4. Then add the sour cream and egg mixture to the cocoa mixture on the stove.
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Step 5. Then add the flour mixture and whisk well.
Step 6. Pour the batter into a greased and floured sheet pan aka jelly roll pan.
Step 7. Bake it in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Making the Icing/Frosting
Note: You want to start making the frosting about 10 minutes into the cake baking because you need to frost it while it's still warm
Step 1. Again, in a large saucepan, mix together butter, cocoa, and milk.
Step 2. Once it starts to boil, add the powdered sugar and stir until it is all melted and combined. You can even use a hand mixer at this point.
Step 3. Pour the frosting out onto the warm cake and spread it with a spatula.
Note: Those little lumps are tiny clumps of powdered sugar, as I did not use a hand mixer. However, though it could look better, it does not take away from the taste.
An oldie but a goodie, something any chocolate lover would relish. It's been a while but it still tastes as good as I remember.
Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Sheet Cake Pan or Jelly Roll Pan approx. 26 in by 18 in
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
Icing
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pound powdered sugar (16 oz) aka confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- Grease and flour the sheet pan.
- In a large heavy saucepan over medium high heat, combine the butter, water, and cocoa.
- Stir until it comes to a boil, then remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Whisk together well.
- In another mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and eggs. Mix well.
- Add the sour cream and egg mixture to the cocoa mixture on the stove. Mix well.
- Add the flour mixture to the saucepan. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- When the cake is close to done, make the icing by combining cocoa, butter, and milk in a saucepan on the stove on medium heat.
- Stir the icing until it comes to a boil, then add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and frost the cake while it is still warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Linda Johnston
My mom in TN made it. She got the recipe from her aunt who was from AR. I made it as a military wife along with other women from across th country. It was a popular dessert for many a church pot luck. Good recipes are without boundaries
Patti Estep
That's so true Linda. Thanks for sharing.
Mary
We loved this recipe! My mom made it many times, it was great dessert to feed a crowd. I think my mom even submitted the Texas sheet cake recipe to the Saint Denis church cookbook back in the day.
Patti Estep
Thanks Mary. I'm sure many people still reference that cookbook today.