Texas Sheet Cake


While Texas Sheet Cake may not have originated in Texas (no one seems to know for sure), it is definitely associated with our state. Why was it named after Texas? Some people say it's because it makes such a large cake. Some say it's so rich that you can eat only a small piece - meaning one cake will serve a Texas-size crowd. I figure it's due to the combination of chocolate and cinnamon- also known as Mexican chocolate- that gives a nod to our neighbors to the south and their influence on our cuisine.

Some folks refer to it as a sheet cake, and some as a sheath cake. Again, we don't really know why; perhaps it's that the words sound so much alike. Or, as Jillian Downer at ehow.com noted, the Texas Sheet Cake "is the little black dress of chocolate cakes".

The recipe for Texas Sheet Cake started showing up in the early 1960s. Everyone seems to have their own version of it, and they're all pretty similar. Here's my Mother's recipe that she's been making since I was a little girl:


Texas Sheet Cake
Printable Recipe

For the cake:
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening (can substitute the same amount of additional butter)
1 cup water
4 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 and 1/8 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla (good Mexican vanilla, if you have it)

For the frosting:
1 stick unsalted butter
6 tablespoons milk
5 teaspoons baking cocoa
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla (again, Mexican, if you have it)
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a sheet cake pan, about 12" X 18" X 2", with cooking spray.
2. Place butter, shortening, water, and cocoa in a saucepan and heat just until butter and shortening are melted, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
3. In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir the cocoa mixture into the flour mixture until combined.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, soda and vanilla. Pour this into the flour mixture and stir until very smooth and well-combined. Batter will be somewhat thin.
5. Pour batter into greased pan. Place in oven and bake for 19 to 20 minutes.
6. While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting: In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the butter and milk until butter is melted. Whisk in the cocoa, confectioner's sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and begins to bubble. Take off heat and stir in vanilla and pecans. 
7. When the cake is done, remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Pour hot frosting evenly over hot cake. Let cool before cutting. Frosting will remain soft. 

Cook's notes: I sometimes halve this recipe and bake it in a 13 X 9 cake pan (as pictured, above). Don't halve the frosting, though- it won't be enough to cover the cake.




This post, Texas Sheet Cake, was written by me and originally published by Texas Women Bloggers.

Texas Sheet Cake may have been taken to some of these fun parties!




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86 comments:

  1. Joy, congratulations and of course, it is much deserved! So happy for you and this cake looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your wonderful news with us! Hugs! xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! You are so nice to be excited with me! :)

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  2. Wow! How exciting! I will definately check it out! Texas sheet cakes is one of my favorites! No matter where you take it, ot os always a hit! The frosting on this looks LOADED! Havent even finished my coffee..and I . want. Chocolate!!!!

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    1. Gail somehow I knew we must be chocolate fan sisters! ;) Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  3. Oh my gosh my mom use to make this when we were kids only I think we called it Texas Brownies since we weren't from Texas but it so reminds me of childhood and congrats on being blogger of the month!

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    1. Emily, you are a sweetheart to come by and congratulate me. I love that you had this cake as a kid! :)

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  4. Yay! Congrats! I can't wait to try this cake :)

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    1. Thank you, Megan! If you try it, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! :)

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  5. Joy, congratulations on the 'blogger of the month'! It's funny that you are so far away from me but I was looking at trying to bake a Texas Sheet Cake this week too. Great minds think alike!! Your version looks so moist and yums :)

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    1. Grace, how cool is that! We are heart-connected bakers, I suppose! :) Thank you for coming by!

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  6. Congrats Joy! Heading over there to check out the recipe. :)

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    1. Anne, thank you, and thanks for coming by!! :)

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  7. Congratulations!!! That is so exciting!! Popping over now to check it out!

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    1. Scarlett, thank you!! I loved the vintage cowgirls- I'm so happy you noticed them...but of course, if anyone would, it would be you! :)

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  8. Congratulations on your achievement. This looks so yummy.
    Visiting from Let's Get Social Sunday. Liked your facebook page. Following via Pinterest and Bloglovin'

    Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com

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    1. Thank you, Barbara, and thanks for joining us for Let's Get Social Sunday! I am happy to be following you back! :)

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  9. Congrats! That cake looks so delicious--chocolate is my weakness.

    Found you through Let's Get Social Sunday and am now following you on Pinterest and Bloglovin. If you get a free moment, stop by http://www.lovingmarshall.com

    Thanks for hosting a great blog hop!

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    1. Thank you, Lauren, and thank you for joining us for Let's Get Social Sunday! I am happy to be following you back! :)

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  10. Looks like everything's delicious in Texas too. ;)

    I'm visiting today from Let's Get Social Sunday.

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    1. Rosey, I'm always so glad to see you- thanks for joining us for Let's get Social Sunday! I appreciate you visiting my sheet cake, too!! :)

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  11. Texas Sheetcake is a Texas favorite. Yum.

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    1. I want a big pot of your pinto beans with this for dessert, Patti! Full Texas nutrition right there. ;)

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  12. Congrats Joy and thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  13. Congratulations, Joy. Ooooh, I love Texas sheet cake, and yours looks so yummy. I'm on my way to get the recipe. Hugs, Nancy

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    1. Thank you very much, Nancy, it's one of our favorites! :)

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  14. Congrats! And, that cake looks delicious!

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    1. Thank you, Ashley- I’m so happy you came by! :)

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  15. oh, my! that looks sweet enough to make my teeth hurt! :) congrats on being honored/featured! and thank you for finding my spot and joining in on my giveaway! i do appreciate it!

    i don't cook. i don't bake. i don't do recipes. but i wish you blessings and much 'joy'! :)

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  16. Happy Birthday, Joy.
    This cake looks delicious. Pinning.
    Annamaria

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    1. Annamaria, you are a sweetheart to come by with birthday wishes! Thank you, and thanks for pinning! :)

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  17. Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Well, first of all if it didn't originate in TX, we're just going to pretend it did. ;-)

    And second, they do love their cake here! I've not lost ANY of the 30 stress eating pounds I gained back up north (although I've not been under much stress!). But I've certainly been happy and well fed.

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    1. Thank you, Bethany!! We will absolutely pretend (!), and I am very happy that YOU are happy! :) Thanks so much for your birthday wishes!

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  18. Hi Joy, This looks yummy! Just curious if you have ever tried & have a good vanilla sheet cake recipe? Stopping by from the Sunday Social today. Theresa @DearCreatives

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    1. Theresa, I have not had a vanilla sheet cake, but it sounds wonderful. Now that I think about it, it seems like I read one not too long ago. If I can remember where I read it, I'll forward it to you! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  19. Congratulations Joy on Blogger of the Month~ My all time favorite cake is Texas Sheet Cake:) I first had this cake many years ago when my sister moved to Texas with her husband, and she made this for me when I went for a visit. She has since passed away, and I think of her every time I make it. Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines * I have seen a recipe for Vanilla Sheet Cake in a Taste of Home Cookbook...I'm sure it could be found on there website:)

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    1. Lynn, thank you so much, and thank you for sharing the sweet memory of your sister. I will think of her every time I make the cake now, too! :)

      And thanks for the tip about Taste of Home's Vanilla Sheet Cake!

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  20. Everything's big and gooey and yummy in Texas isn't it? My sisters and I spent a week in Austin last spring and enjoyed big, gooey, yummy bbq too! This looks delicious. Stopping in today from Lisa's Grand Social.

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    1. Barb, what a great trip you must have had with your sisters! Yes, I'm definitely a fan of the BBQ, too. :) Thank you for visiting from the Grand Social!

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  21. I used to make this when I was a young married and we had lots of parties to go to....it's been years. Now I want to make it again! Actually I want a piece right NOW!!!! :)

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    1. Deb, you must have been on everyone's "must invite" list if you brought Texas Sheet Cake! ;) Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  22. Here from the Grand Social, and you are sooo gonna get pinned! Gracias for this perfect bake from scratch cake; Sweetie's gonna love it! BB2U

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    1. Thank you, BB! :) Thanks for visiting from the Grand Social, and for pinning!

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  23. I just love this cake. I recently made it in a quarter-sheetpan since I no longer need such big-o-recipes, but it is just always a winner no matter the size.

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    1. Ms Madonna, I love the quarter-size idea. This cake can go from super large to small and still be wonderful. When I called my mom to get her recipe, she was reading it to me over the phone, and was calling out these huge amounts: 6 cups of flour, 6 cups of sugar...she had tripled the recipe a few years ago to take to school functions (high school teacher), and was reading that version to me by mistake. :)

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  24. Hello Joy, I am already your FB fan, courtesy MB...saw this cake at MB's page today...so came in to get the recipe....and I am so glad that I did...otherwise I would not know the history behind Texas sheet cake...the cake looks so tempting, its now a no excuse cake for me.

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    1. Nisa, thank you so very much for visiting from MB's (isn't she fun?)! If you try the cake, I hope you and your family enjoy it!

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  25. I have never heard of Texas sheet cake until now but I 'm definitely pinning this and going to make it. I'll pass it along to all my Texas friends and family!
    kim
    http://www.thisolemom.com.

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    1. Thank you, Kim! If you try it, I hope you like it as much as we do! Thank you for coming by and for pinning! :)

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  26. Mmmm... I love a good Texas Sheet Cake! Thank you Joy for linking it up to the Sweet Wednesday Link Party, it looks so good!

    Hugs,
    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

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    1. Thank you, Heather, and thanks for hosting Sweet Wednesday! :)

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  27. Hi Joy,
    This is one of my kids favorite cakes, the recipe card with this cake is very worn. Sure wish that slice was mine! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great weekend!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you, Miz Helen! I know they have wonderful memories of having this cake in your kitchen! :) Thank you for coming by, and for hosting Full Plate Thursday.

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  28. OMG!!
    That picture just made me drool...I want some NOW!
    I can't bake all that well but I am willing to try this!

    Visiting from #SitsSharefest

    Keep it Touched,
    KG
    www.kgstyleblogs.com

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    1. Khloe`, it's a great cake, and one of the easiest cakes you can make. :) Thank you so very much for visiting from Sharefest- I do appreciate it! :)

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  29. Oh my, this looks delicious! We'll definitely be trying this soon, especially since we too live in Texas :)

    Stopping by from Sharefest!

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    1. Fantastic! Always happy to hear from a Texas sister! Thanks for stopping by from Sharefest! :)

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  30. This looks yummy!!! I found you from Let's Pour Tea!

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    1. Hi, Cowgirl Crafter! Great meeting you- thanks for coming by from the Let's Pour Tea party! :)

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  31. I adore family recipes like this, Joy! It's lovely to have something so delicious with such great memories attached to it. I've pinned this to my Cakes board on Pinterest. I've never made a sheet cake but really want to try your recipe soon. Thank you for sharing another awesome recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.

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    1. Thank you so much, April. If you try it, I hope you love it as much as we do! :) Thanks for pinning, and for hosting Hearth and Soul!

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  32. I go out of town for a 3 day weekend and I miss everything! Blogger of the month. Birthday. You go, Joy! I haven't had Texas Sheet cake in so long. SInce it's just the three of us, it's hard to justify making it. I do have some friends coming over next weekend though...
    Funny enough, I first learned about TX Sheet Cake when I lived in TX! Thanks for linking. I'll have this week's See Ya in the Gumbo up Monday evening.

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    1. LOL, Michelle, there's just no keeping up with me, right? ;) Thank you for hosting See Ya in the Gumbo, and I am looking forward to linking up tonight. I was pitiful last night b/c I didn't get my Sunday evening party. :)

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  33. Oh, yum. I haven't had Texas sheet cake in years. Guess what I'll be making this weekend? Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

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    1. Susan, if you make it, I hope you and your family enjoy it. And that you invite me over. ;) Thank you so much for your wonderful party!

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  34. Hi Joy, your yummy Texas Sheet Cake is one of my Top Features from last week's Sweet Wednesday Link Party! Congrats and stop by to grab a Featured button! :)

    Hugs,
    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

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    1. Heather, I am so excited- thank you so much for including my cake in your features! :)

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  35. I'm visiting from the SITS link-up and the first photo of the Texas sheet cake made me drool! I had a dear friend from Texas and she would make that cake for parties. I haven't thought about it in years but have now printed out your recipe. Thanks for bringing back such fun memories.

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    1. Catherine, I am so happy that you came by from the SITS Sharefest- thank you! If you make the cake, I hope you enjoy it, and think of your friend! :)

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  36. JOY,
    This chocolate sheet cake look so YUMMY! I would love a piece right NOW! Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up at Saturday Dishes 'CHOCOLATE" Blog Hop. I pinned it.
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark
    www.recipesforourdailybread.com

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  37. Joy,

    This Texas sheet cake is one of my favorite cakes. I just realized that you have two cakes that I am featuring on my blog this afternoon. This one and the Chocolate cake. Both of them look amazing.
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark

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  38. Joy, your Texas Sheet Cake looks amazing! My husband's aunt makes a Texas sheet cake for the 4th of July that's to die for, but I was thinking the other day that I really can't wait that long to have it again! So glad you share this recipe at Saturday Dishes, so I can make it!
    I'm featuring your cake at the party that starts tomorrow night, so I hope you'll stop by and grab our feature button and link up some more amazing recipes!

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  39. ive used 1 cup coffee insted of water makes it taste richer

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  40. I use this same recipe for Coke Cake, replacing water with coke and in the frosting, replace milk with coke.

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  41. This cake! It looks absolutely amazing, Joy!!

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  42. I am so making this cake...maybe even when I'm done commenting.

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  43. Hi Joy,
    There is nothing better than a Texas Sheet Cake, its a winner every time. I love your graphic and presentation. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  44. Perfectly beautiful! Gotta love it. Thanks a million for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck.

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  45. Seems like Texas has got a yummy cake, no matter where you take it! Loving the background too. :) Thanks for stopping by and sharing this on Five Friday Finds!

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  46. This sounds dangerous, in a good way, and can I just mention how cute that fabric in the background is? :-) Thanks for linking up to Talented Tuesday!

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  47. The version I've been making (very similar) for thirty years is called "Yum Yum Cake" It should be called "Bye Bye Cake" cause it doesn't stay around for very long.

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  48. I made this cake for a family dinner last weekend and it came out just like the picture, its a delicious cake the cinnamon is the difference that sets it apart from the regular chocolate cake. Its very, very, rich, you wont be able to eat more than a slice.

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  49. I made this cake for a family dinner last weekend and it came out just like the picture, its a delicious cake the cinnamon is the difference that sets it apart from the regular chocolate cake. Its very, very, rich, you wont be able to eat more than a slice.

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