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Chocolate Sheet Cake

Featured in Delicious Desserts.

The ultimate chocolate lover's sheet cake - moist, rich cake covered in warm fudgy glaze and topped with toasted pecans. Perfect for parties and potlucks.

Clare Greco
Updated on Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:29:53 GMT
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A piece of chocolate cake with glossy frosting and chopped nuts sits on a plate, with a serving utensil holding a bite-sized piece nearby. Pin it
A piece of chocolate cake with glossy frosting and chopped nuts sits on a plate, with a serving utensil holding a bite-sized piece nearby. | recipesim.com

My Texas Sheet Cake brings pure chocolate comfort to any gathering. I learned this recipe from my aunt in Dallas and it's become our family's most requested dessert. The way that rich cocoa cake meets warm fudgy glaze topped with toasted pecans creates magic in every bite. Whenever I make it my kitchen fills with memories of summer evenings and backyard barbecues.

Pure Chocolate Magic

Something wonderful happens when buttermilk meets cocoa in this cake. Each bite brings that perfect balance of rich chocolate and subtle tang wrapped in fudgy glaze. I love how this recipe stays moist for days though it rarely lasts that long at my house.

From My Kitchen to Yours

  • Good Cocoa: ¾ cup rich dark powder creates chocolate dreams.
  • Fresh Flour: 2 cups sifted makes everything light fluffy.
  • Pure Sugar: 2 cups brings perfect sweetness.
  • Real Butter: 1 cup melted adds rich soul.
  • Fresh Buttermilk: 1 cup room warm makes cake tender.
  • Malt Magic: 2 tablespoons adds secret depth.
  • Texas Pecans: 1 cup toasted brings crunch joy.
A rich chocolate cake slice topped with chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts, served on a white plate. Pin it
A rich chocolate cake slice topped with chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts, served on a white plate. | recipesim.com

Creating Cake Dreams

Sweet Beginnings
Mix butter sugar until fluffy light add eggs gentle watch batter come alive.
Pan Love
Brush pan with cocoa butter makes everything release beautiful.
Baking Time
Spread batter smooth bake until kitchen smells like heaven about 25 minutes.
Glaze Magic
Cook butter milk cocoa sugar together until silky perfect pour while warm.
Final Touch
Scatter pecans watch them sink into warm glaze pure Texas beauty.

Cocoa Dreams

Good cocoa makes all difference here. I love using rich dark brands brings deepest chocolate flavor without bitterness. Splurging on quality cocoa creates cake that stays moist fragrant absolutely perfect.

Glaze Secrets

The magic happens when hot glaze meets warm cake. Getting temperature just right creates fudgy layer that melts into cake top. Those toasted pecans nestle into glaze adding crunch every chocolate lover dreams about.

Perfect Sharing Joy

This cake brings happiness to summer cookouts family reunions any gathering needing something special. Stays fresh several days travels beautifully though leftovers rarely happen. Serve warm with ice cream or room temperature both ways pure Texas comfort.

A close-up view of a chocolate brownie topped with nuts and a glossy chocolate glaze on a light blue plate. Pin it
A close-up view of a chocolate brownie topped with nuts and a glossy chocolate glaze on a light blue plate. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use natural cocoa powder?

Natural cocoa powder has more fat and richer chocolate flavor. Low-fat cocoas can make the cake dry and chalky.

→ Can I skip the malted milk powder?

Yes, it's optional but adds nice depth of flavor. The cake works perfectly without it.

→ Why pour the glaze while hot?

The warm glaze soaks slightly into the hot cake creating a fudgy layer. It also spreads more easily when warm.

→ How do I store this cake?

Keep wrapped at room temperature up to a week. The glaze protects the cake and keeps it moist.

→ Can I make this ahead?

You can make the entire cake including glaze up to 7 days ahead. Store wrapped at room temperature.

Texas Sheet Cake

A rich chocolate sheet cake topped with warm chocolate glaze and crunchy pecans. The classic Texas dessert that feeds a crowd.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Delicious Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 25 Servings (1 sheet cake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar.
02 20 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened.
03 1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda.
04 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
05 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
06 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
07 4 large eggs.
08 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
09 2/3 cup natural cocoa powder.
10 1/4 cup malted milk powder (optional).
11 1 1/2 cups buttermilk.
12 For Glaze:.
13 1 cup milk.
14 12 tablespoons butter.
15 1 cup sugar.
16 1/2 cup cocoa powder.
17 1/4 teaspoon salt.
18 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.
19 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F, grease and dust pan with cocoa.

Step 02

Cream butter, sugar and spices until fluffy, add eggs one at a time.

Step 03

Alternate flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds until smooth.

Step 04

Spread in pan and bake 25 minutes until puffy.

Step 05

Cook milk, butter, sugar and cocoa to 220°F.

Step 06

Pour warm glaze over hot cake, top with pecans.

Notes

  1. Use quality natural cocoa powder.
  2. Pour glaze while both are hot.
  3. Keeps 1 week at room temperature.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer.
  • Half sheet pan.
  • Digital thermometer.
  • Saucier.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter, milk).
  • Eggs.
  • Tree nuts (pecans).
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 5 g