Texas sheet cake isn’t your typical chocolate cake. It’s rich, decadent, and HUGE because you bake it in a sheet pan and then covered in warm and gooey chocolate glaze. This cake only takes 30 minutes to make so it’s perfect for large gatherings, parties, or a BBQ.
Texas sheet cake is one of my favorite go-to easy recipes just like my easy chocolate cake, Chocolate WASC, brownies, and double chocolate chip cookies!
What’s In This Blog Post?
Ingredients & Equipment Needed
The most important thing to have to make a Texas sheet cake is a Texas-sized pan! AKA a half sheet pan. Typically the pan is 13″x18″ and about 2″ tall. If you’re an avid baker, you might already have one on hand but if not, don’t fret, you can use a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan pretty much the same way as long as it has sides. You may have to slightly adjust your batter recipe or bake leftover batter as cupcakes (YUM!) if your pan is slightly smaller.
You can even bake this recipe in traditional cake pans or cupcakes! So many options!
What Makes Texas Sheet Cake Different Than Chocolate Cake?
You may know the Texas sheet cake as a funeral cake (any dessert served at a funeral reception made for a lot of guests), sheath cake (a term that comes from the name sheet cake), or Mexican chocolate cake (similar recipe but with cinnamon added). 
This cake is thinner and larger than a standard cake and glazed warm out of the oven with a rich, buttery, chocolate glaze mixed with toasted pecans. This glaze makes the cake incredibly moist and darn right delicious.
The cake is baked in a large sheet pan which is perfect for serving big gatherings.
One of the best things about this cake is that you just add the ingredients together in the bowl and mix! Super easy and the perfect cake to bake for a big gathering which is probably why it has gained such popularity.
The original recipe may vary from family to family but whatever the recipe may be one thing is true, Texas sheet cake is forever ingrained in Americana culture as a must-serve dessert at any important gathering.
This recipe was shared with me by our amazing recipe tester Erin. It was her Mother’s recipe that was given to her by a member of their church. Their family grew up serving this dessert at every gathering back in Texas so it’s a true family recipe. This recipe does not have pecans but you could totally mix in a cup of toasted pecans with the glaze if that’s what you like!
How To Make Texas Sheet Cake Step By Step
Texas Sheet Cake
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF and prepare your half sheet pan with cake goop or whatever pan release you like.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, soda, cinnamon, white and brown sugar, and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, and vanilla and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, butter, and coffee over medium heat. Heat until the mixture begins to simmer, stirring ocassionally to prevent burning.
- Once the chocolate mixture begins to boil, remove it from the heat.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Add the cocoa mixture to the flour and milk mixture and mix until combined.
- Pour the cake batter into your prepared sheet pan.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out from the center with just a few sticky crumbs.
- While the cake is baking, prepare your glaze.
Texas Sheet Cake Glaze
- In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and the buttermilk. Whisk them together and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla to the warm mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Once the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, and then pour the chocolate glaze over the warm cake. The glaze soaks into the warm sheet cake making it super moist!
- Let the cake finish cooling before serving it. Serve the cake directly on the sheet pan. Store leftovers at room temperature in an air tight container. If you live in a hot and humid area, the cake will last longer stored in the fridge.
More Easy Recipes For Gatherings
Classic Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces (284 g) all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 7 ounces (198 g) sugar
- 7 ounces (198 g) brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ounce (28 g) natural cocoa powder Like Hershey's
- 8 ounces (227 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- 6 ounces (170 g) coffee or water
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ounces (113 g) buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Glaze
- 4 ounces (113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 ounce (28 g) natural cocoa powder like Hershey's
- 2 ounces (57 g) buttermilk
- 16 ounces (454 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Equipment
- 13"x18" sheet pan
Instructions
For The Texas Sheet Cake
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF and prepare your half sheet pan with cake goop or whatever pan release you like.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, soda, cinnamon, white and brown sugar, and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, and vanilla and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, butter, and coffee over medium heat. Heat until the mixture begins to simmer, stirring ocassionally to prevent burning. Once it begins to boil, remove it from the heat.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Add the chocolate mixture to the flour and milk mixture and mix until combined.
- Pour the cake batter into your prepared sheet pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out from the center with just a few sticky crumbs.
- While the cake is baking, prepare your glaze.
Texas Sheet Cake Glaze
- In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and the buttermilk. Whisk them together and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla to the warm mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Once the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, and then pour the chocolate glaze over the warm cake. Let the cake finish cooling before serving it.
- Serve the cake directly on the sheet pan. Store leftovers at room temperature in an air tight container.