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Ultimate Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake with Rich Fudgy Frosting

This Texas chocolate sheet cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that's perfect for any gathering. With its moist, fudgy texture and rich cocoa flavor, this easy-to-make cake becomes your go-to recipe for potlucks, parties, and family celebrations.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan or a similar-sized baking sheet.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 cup of butter, water, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
  4. Pour the hot chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add this to the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and milk. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture just begins to boil.
  8. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in nuts if using.
  9. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm frosting over the hot cake and spread evenly with a spatula.
  10. Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting into squares. This allows the frosting to set properly.

Notes

Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the wet ingredients. Use a true jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet rather than a cake pan for authentic Texas sheet cake texture. Pour the warm frosting over the hot cake to create a perfect seal that keeps the cake moist.