This Texas Sheet Cake Recipe is a rich, ultra-moist chocolate cake topped with warm fudgy cocoa frosting and crunchy pecans. It’s thin, tender, and baked in a 9 x 13 pan, making it the perfect dessert for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, and Sunday dinners.
If you’re looking for an easy Southern chocolate cake recipe that feeds a crowd and never lasts long, this classic Texas sheet cake is it.
Why You’ll Love This Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
- Super moist chocolate cake
- Rich cocoa frosting poured over warm cake
- Feeds a crowd
- Classic Southern dessert
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for holidays and gatherings
Ingredients for Texas Sheet Cake
The Chocolate Cake Base
1 cup butter
¼ cup cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup sour cream
½ cup chopped pecans
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
The butter, cocoa, and water create the rich chocolate base, while sour cream keeps the cake incredibly moist.
The Fudgy Cocoa Frosting
½ cup butter
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
¼ cup cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ½ cups confectioners sugar
This warm frosting is poured over the hot cake, creating a smooth, glossy finish that soaks slightly into the top layer.
Equipment We Love for This Recipe
- Medium saucepan and 9×13 baking dish use code mckmichcollective for 10% off the entire site of pots and pans we can’t live without
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand mixer
- Rubber spatula
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Texas Sheet Cake Recipe: Classic Moist Chocolate Sheet Cake with Cocoa Frosting
Ingredients
- Cake
- 1 cup butter
- ¼ cup cocoa
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 ½ cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa over medium heat until butter melts.
- In a bowl, mix sugar, flour, salt, eggs, baking soda, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Pour the warm cocoa mixture into the dry mixture and stir until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Frosting
- Combine butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and confectioners sugar. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Pour frosting over hot cake.
- Sprinkle with pecans.
How to Make Texas Sheet Cake
Start by melting butter, cocoa, and water together in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted and smooth, remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt, eggs, baking soda, sour cream, and vanilla. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture until fully blended.
Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting by bringing butter, cocoa, and milk to a boil. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla and confectioners sugar until smooth.
Pour the warm frosting over the hot cake and sprinkle with pecans.
What to Serve with Texas Sheet Cake
This rich Southern dessert pairs beautifully with:
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Fresh strawberries
• Hot coffee, try our Praline Coffee Recipe
• A cold glass of milk
For a full dessert table, serve alongside Snickerdoodles Cookie Recipe and Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing:
Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a sheet pan instead of 9 x 13?
Yes, baking time may need slight adjustment.
Can I omit the pecans?
Absolutely.
Why pour frosting over hot cake?
It allows the frosting to slightly soak into the cake for extra moisture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, perfect for large gatherings.
Final Thoughts
This Texas Sheet Cake Recipe is rich, moist, and perfectly chocolatey with that signature warm cocoa frosting. It’s a true Southern classic that’s simple to make and always a crowd favorite.
If you make this recipe, tag us so we can see. We love seeing how you style your food and bring a little Southern hospitality into your home.
Enjoy!
McKaylee & Michele
MckMich Collective
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