Texas Sheet Cake: A Deliciously Easy Favorite
In my quest to diversify the recipes on Oinkcooking, I reached out to my friends for dessert ideas. Unsurprisingly, many asked for sweet treats. Now, I’ve mentioned before that I’m not exactly a baker. Baking and I just don’t click. I can handle simple cookies and cakes, but anything more intricate? I’d rather head straight to the bakery. That’s why I adore my mom’s Texas Sheet Cake recipe – it’s ridiculously easy!
This recipe, which I’m sure my mom got from a church recipe exchange back in the ‘80s, was always a hit whenever she made it. I even called her to tell her I was making it for Oinkcooking, and her response was, “Oh, I love that cake. It’s so easy and tastes amazing. I haven’t made it in years.” I think she’d be proud of how mine turned out… and I’m definitely proud of it myself!
Curious about the history of Texas Sheet Cake, I did a little research. The origins are a bit murky, but one article from the Dallas Morning News suggests it may have been popularized by former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Whether that’s true or not, it’s a cake that’s sure to please at any springtime gathering. Bring this rich, indulgent “little black dress of cakes” to your next event, and watch the gratitude pour in!
Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks butter
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
For the Frosting:
- 1 stick butter
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and salt. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt 2 sticks of butter, 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 cup of water together. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and sour cream until smooth.
- Once the butter-cocoa-water mixture has come to a boil, pour it into the dry ingredients. Add the egg mixture, and whisk everything together until well combined.
- Grease a half-sheet pan with cooking spray, and pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, heat 1 stick of butter, 6 tablespoons of milk, and 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder until the butter has melted. Pour the mixture into a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and chopped nuts to the bowl. Whisk everything together until the frosting is smooth and combined.
- Once the cake is done baking, let it stand for 5 minutes. Then, pour the frosting over the top, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface. The frosting will soak into the cake, making it extra delicious!
- Allow the cake to cool before cutting and serving.