Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing Recipe

Hands On Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 50 mins

Servings:

20

Texans claimed the Texas sheet cake recipe as their own in the mid-20th century, perhaps because of the pecans, an ingredient that grows in abundance throughout the Lone Star State. The defining element is its shape—and, of course, the icing, which has to be heated and poured on the warm, just-out-of-the-oven cake. The result is a rich, chocolaty treat that's iconic in Texas.

Made with Dr Pepper to add a unique twist, Texas sheet cake is deeply flavored with buttermilk for a tangy richness, and cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor. The fudge icing, made in just 10 minutes with six ingredients, is the perfect complement, with pecans scattered over the top for a nutty crunch.

Learn how to make Texas sheet cake. A slice (or two) of this cake is impossible to resist.

Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

What Is Texas Sheet Cake?

Texas sheet cake is a rich chocolate cake that's often served at potlucks, funerals, and large gatherings. Its large, thin shape is perfect for serving a crowd, and easy to whip up at a moment's notice using mostly pantry staples.

While its exact origin is unclear, there is record of a chocolate sheet cake published in a Texas newspaper in 1936, and and a pecan-topped sheet cake called "German's Chocolate Cake" printed in a Dallas newspaper in 1957. Wherever it originated, this comforting, chocolaty dessert has stood the test of time as a staple dessert passed down through generations of Southern cooks.

Ingredients for Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing

Texas sheet cake can be whipped up using mostly pantry staples, for a dessert that can feed 20 with just 20 minutes of hands-on time. To make this cake, you'll need:

Spicy, fruity cola soft drink: Carbonation helps lighten the cake batter, while the cola adds a unique flavor profile to the cake.
Vegetable or canola oil: Adds moisture and tenderness.
Unsweetened cocoa: For a rich chocolate flavor. The darker the cocoa, the more intense the chocolate flavor and color.
All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture, sweetness, and notes of molasses to the cake.
Baking soda: A leavening agent giving the cake its rise.
Table salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Buttermilk: Adds a tangy moisture to the cake.
Large eggs: Binds the batter and gives the cake structure.
Vanilla extract: For additional depth.
Cooking spray: Keeps the cake from sticking to the pan.
Fudge Icing: A sweet, chocolaty icing that soaks into the warm cake.
Chopped toasted pecans: A crunchy, nutty garnish.

How To Make Texas Sheet Cake

No need to chill, stack, or pipe on any fancy decorations. The warm chocolate cake soaks up the fudgy icing, and a sprinkling of pecans is all that's needed for a final flourish. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Heat cola and cocoa: Bring cola, oil, and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring often. Remove from heat.
Step 2. Prepare batter: Whisk together flour, sugars, baking soda, and salt. Whisk in cola mixture. Whisk in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour into a greased sheet pan.
Step 3. Bake: Bake cake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Step 4. Top with icing: Prepare fudge icing, and pour over cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Cool in pan.

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing Variations

To change up this iconic cake, consider these variations:

Flavorings: Add orange zest to the cake batter for a citrusy touch, or a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a spicy hot chocolate-inspired twist. You can even swap the vanilla with peppermint extract during the holiday season, or almond or orange extract, if preferred.
Icing: Swirl peanut butter, Nutella, or jam into the icing for an unexpected touch.
Toppings: Swap the pecans with walnuts, sliced almonds, fresh berries, mini marshmallows, toasted coconut, or even chopped candies for a delicious (albeit untraditional) finish.
Drizzle: Drizzle the cake with a homemade caramel sauce for even more decadence.

Can I Make Texas Sheet Cake Ahead?

Prepare this sheet cake up to two days ahead:

Make and top the cake as directed, then let stand at room temperature until the icing is set. To avoid marring the icing, chill the cake until firm and top with a sheet of parchment or wax paper before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap.

Store in the refrigerator for up to two days, then unwrap and bring to room temperature before serving.

How To Store Leftover Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

Store leftover slices of Texas sheet cake well-wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, or freeze for up to two months. Bring to room temperature before serving.

More Iconic Southern Sheet Cakes You'll Love

From twists on the classic Texas sheet cake to fruit-forward and decadently chocolaty sheet cakes, these recipes are always crowd-pleasers:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups spicy, fruity cola soft drink (such as Dr Pepper)
1 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Cooking spray
Fudge Icing
1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Heat cola mixture:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
Make cake batter:

Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl. Add soft drink mixture, and whisk until blended. Whisk in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
Add batter to pan:

Pour batter into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 17 1/2- x 12 1/2-inch sheet pan.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
Bake cake:

Bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
Add Icing and pecans:

Prepare Fudge Icing, and pour over warm cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Cool completely in pan (about 1 hour).

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/fudge-icing-0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sheet cake and regular cake?

Sheet cakes are baked in a sheet pan, and served family-style for a large crowd, as opposed to stacked and frosted layer cakes or cakes baked in Bundt and other decorative pans.
Why is my Texas sheet cake dry?

Cakes can become dry if overbaked, or if you had a heavy hand when measuring the dry ingredients. Be sure to spoon and level your flour when measuring, and bake the cake only until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean for a moist result.
Should you refrigerate a sheet cake?

While a cake like Texas sheet cake can be stored at room temperature for up to two days, chilling or freezing will keep the cake fresh for an extended period of time.