The BEST Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake – Moist, Fudgy & Crowd-Pleasing

An iconic Southern classic with rich chocolate flavor, tender crumb, and a warm fudgy glaze that melts into every bite—perfect for feeding a crowd!

🎉 Introduction

If there’s one cake that never fails to wow, it’s a Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. Baked in a large jelly roll pan and topped with a glossy fudge frosting poured on while warm, this Southern staple is simple, stunning, and ridiculously good. 🤠🍫

With a soft, moist crumb and sweet-but-not-too-sweet chocolate icing, it’s the kind of nostalgic dessert you’ll crave for every potluck, holiday, or family gathering. And the best part? It comes together quickly with pantry basics!

🛒 Ingredients

(Makes one 10×15-inch sheet cake – about 20 servings)

🧁 For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For the Warm Chocolate Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup milk
• 3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish for thicker results.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil.
3. Pour hot cocoa mixture into the flour mix. Stir until just combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir into batter.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
While cake bakes, start making the frosting.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

1. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and milk over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
3. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
4. Stir in chopped nuts if using.

Step 5: Frost While Warm

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour warm frosting over the hot cake.
Spread quickly and evenly—it sets fast!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 20
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 25 minutes
• Frosting Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~50 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Nut-Free: Omit pecans for a smooth finish
• Cinnamon Kick: Add ½ tsp cinnamon to the batter
• Extra Rich: Replace water with brewed coffee for deeper flavor
• Sheet Pan Cupcakes: Bake in muffin tins for personal-sized cakes
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temp: Store covered for 3–4 days
• Fridge: Keeps for up to 1 week—let it come to room temp before serving
• Freezer: Freeze tightly wrapped pieces for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Microwave individual slices 10–15 seconds for melty goodness

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why frost the cake while warm?
   It allows the frosting to soak into the cake for a gooey top layer.
2. Can I make this cake in advance?
   Yes—it stays moist and flavorful for days.
3. Do I need buttermilk?
   Yes—it helps with texture and tang. Substitute with milk + 1 tsp vinegar if needed.
4. Can I skip the nuts?
   Definitely—great with or without.
5. What cocoa powder is best?
   Regular unsweetened works great. Dutch-processed also adds depth.
6. Can I use a different pan size?
   Yes—adjust baking time for thicker cakes in smaller pans.
7. Can I make it dairy-free?
   Use dairy-free butter and almond or oat milk.
8. Is it super sweet?
   The sweetness balances with the cocoa and buttermilk—rich but not cloying.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, but you’ll need two pans or a larger baking sheet.
10. What toppings go well with it?
    Toasted coconut, crushed toffee, mini marshmallows, or a sprinkle of sea salt!

🏁 Conclusion

This Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake is the pinnacle of party desserts. It’s rich, tender, and unapologetically chocolatey—with a fudgy icing that makes every bite feel nostalgic and homemade. 🍫🤎

Whether it’s a family BBQ, birthday bash, or Tuesday night chocolate fix—this recipe delivers every time. Don’t be surprised when people ask for seconds (and the recipe)!

Adam

The BEST Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake – Moist, Fudgy & Crowd-Pleasing

If there’s one cake that never fails to wow, it’s a Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. Baked in a large jelly roll pan and topped with a glossy fudge frosting poured on while warm, this Southern staple is simple, stunning, and ridiculously good. 🤠🍫 With a soft, moist crumb and sweet-but-not-too-sweet chocolate icing, it’s the kind of nostalgic dessert you’ll crave for every potluck, holiday, or family gathering. And the best part? It comes together quickly with pantry basics!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake & Frosting time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 20 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Makes one 10×15-inch sheet cake – about 20 servings

🧁 For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For the Warm Chocolate Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup milk
• 3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

Method

 

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish for thicker results.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil.
3. Pour hot cocoa mixture into the flour mix. Stir until just combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir into batter.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

1. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
2. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
3. While cake bakes, start making the frosting.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

1. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and milk over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
3. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
4. Stir in chopped nuts if using.

Step 5: Frost While Warm

1. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour warm frosting over the hot cake.
2. Spread quickly and evenly—it sets fast!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Nut-Free: Omit pecans for a smooth finish

Cinnamon Kick: Add ½ tsp cinnamon to the batter

Extra Rich: Replace water with brewed coffee for deeper flavor

Sheet Pan Cupcakes: Bake in muffin tins for personal-sized cakes

Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Room Temp: Store covered for 3–4 days

Fridge: Keeps for up to 1 week—let it come to room temp before serving

Freezer: Freeze tightly wrapped pieces for up to 2 months

Reheat: Microwave individual slices 10–15 seconds for melty goodness

❓ 10 FAQs
Why frost the cake while warm?
It allows the frosting to soak into the cake for a gooey top layer.

Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes—it stays moist and flavorful for days.

Do I need buttermilk?
Yes—it helps with texture and tang. Substitute with milk + 1 tsp vinegar if needed.

Can I skip the nuts?
Definitely—great with or without.

What cocoa powder is best?
Regular unsweetened works great. Dutch-processed also adds depth.

Can I use a different pan size?
Yes—adjust baking time for thicker cakes in smaller pans.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter and almond or oat milk.

Is it super sweet?
The sweetness balances with the cocoa and buttermilk—rich but not cloying.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but you’ll need two pans or a larger baking sheet.

What toppings go well with it?
Toasted coconut, crushed toffee, mini marshmallows, or a sprinkle of sea salt!

🏁 Conclusion
This Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake is the pinnacle of party desserts. It’s rich, tender, and unapologetically chocolatey—with a fudgy icing that makes every bite feel nostalgic and homemade. 🍫🤎

Whether it’s a family BBQ, birthday bash, or Tuesday night chocolate fix—this recipe delivers every time. Don’t be surprised when people ask for seconds (and the recipe)!