Growing up, I remember how much my father and my brother loved my Mom's Texas Sheetcake. So of course when I grew old enough to learn how to bake, Texas Sheetcake became part of my recipe collection too. And now I can say without a doubt- it is my son Jack's very favorite dessert!
Jack loves for me to make it on his birthday and he also requests that I send it to school whenever there is an event that calls for baked goods. I've even been known to pre-cut the cake and nest pieces into jumbo-sized cupcake liners to make it easier for teachers to pass out individual slices!
There are a million variations of this recipe out there- but they all lead to a thin cake baked in a jelly roll pan that is known for its creamy chocolatey yumminess. I have tasted a few other Texas Sheetcake recipes over the years at other people's homes or bake sales, and I have never found one that I like better than the one that my Mom made. I guess you love best whichever kind of Texas Sheetcake you grew up with!
Here's how it's made:
Texas Sheetcake Steps:
It all starts in a small saucepan on the stove where you make the chocolate base for the cake- before adding it to the dry ingredients.
Just look at all of that creamy chocolatey goodness….. and try not to eat it with a spoon!
After the cake has baked and cooled, you'll prepare the rich chocolate frosting- which is then poured over the cake.
The frosting is very thin and should spread nicely over your cake, but you might have to help spread it around a bit and into the corners of your pan.
Allow the frosting an hour or so to cool and harden a bit before cutting into the cake.
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Texas Sheetcake Recipe:
- 2 sticks of margarine
- 4 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of milk (I use skim because it is what I always have on hand in my fridge)
- ½ tablespoon of vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 stick of margarine
- 4 tablespoons of cocoa
- 6 tablespoons of milk
- 1 lb box of powdered sugar
- In a small saucepan on the stovetop, bring to a simmer the 2 sticks of margarine and 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Add 1 cup of water and allow the mixture to come to a boil.
- Allow the saucepan to cool for a few moments while you prepare a large mixing bowl with 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 cups of sugar. Stir together with a spoon, and then pour the chocolate mixture from the saucepan on top and stir.
- Next add the eggs, milk, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Coat a jelly roll pan with nonstick spray, then pour in your batter. Place pan into a 350 degree preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- You can double check that the cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the middle of the cake- and when you extract it, it should come out clean with no wet batter on the toothpick. Allow the cake to fully cool on a wire rack before frosting it. (Leave the cake in the jelly roll pan, this is not the kind of cake that you turn out of the pan before frosting).
- Starting with the saucepan again- melt 1 stick of margarine, 4 tablespoons of cocoa and 6 tablespoons of milk. Bring the chocolate mixture to a simmer.
- Pour your chocolate mixture over a 1 lb box of powdered sugar (but I recommend that you run the powdered sugar through your sifter first. It will break up any clumps of sugar and will make your frosting much prettier!) stir quickly until smooth, and then quickly pour it on top of your cooled Texas Sheetcake.
No wonder this is Jack's favorite cake!
Even when served cupcake-style!
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Beverly says
Thanks for sharing your Mom’s recipe with us at Snickerdoodle. Your Texas Sheet Cake looks delicious. Who can resist a chocolate cake that is also easy to make? Not me! Love it. Pinning.
Christine says
Definition of Texas Sheet Cake – One piece is never enough, that’s why you need to use the largest baking sheet ever. LOL That looks just wonderful and I really wish you delivered right now.
Mother of 3 says
This looks SOOO good! I have never made a sheet cake but I’m definitely pinning it to try!
erin says
I just made this and my whole family loved it!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. I love all of your recipes! We even had a Minute To Win It Birthday Party for my son last weekend (he turned ten) and everyone had a blast. Thanks for all the information you share:)
Sharon says
Thanks so much for letting me know Erin! Your comment just made my day!
erin says
I am making your mini raspberry cheesecakes tomorrow and we eat you chicken marsala every week too:)
Sharon says
I am so impressed- and so flattered too! Maybe I should come to your house for dinner this week? 🙂
jenny says
Love – love – love Texas Sheet Cake! But I’ve never made it – go figure…
Now I have no excuse not to because you have provided a simple yet delicious looking recipe! Thanks for sharing it! (you’re being Pinned!)
Sharon says
Jenny- I swear it is such a simple recipe- and you’ll be so happy that you made it yourself! Thanks for the pin!