Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk
Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk produces the most amazing Texas sheet cake of your life! The cake is buttery, chocolate-y and completely melts in your mouth. Top this perfect cake with a sweet and rich chocolate frosting that seeps into the top layer of the cake and you have officially entered chocolate heaven!
Chocolate and buttermilk are one of my favorite combinations! It produces the most amazing texture and flavor. Try it in this chocolate Texas sheet cake with buttermilk recipe, in my Chocolate Buttermilk Bundt Cake recipe, in my Small German Chocolate Cake Recipe or in my Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting!
Why This Recipe Works
- Moist Texas sheet cake with buttermilk. This best Texas sheet cake recipe uses buttermilk for a delicious buttery flavor and a moist sheet cake texture.
- Silky smooth chocolate frosting. The chocolate frosting is cooked and warm. Pour it on the chocolate cake when still warm, spread it around and let it set. The frosting will set while slightly seeping into the top layer of the cake. The result is the most amazing chocolate dessert!
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: The butter makes this chocolate sheet cake with buttermilk melt in your mouth!
- Cocoa Powder: Regular, unsweetened cocoa powder! The cocoa powder is combined with the butter and hot water into a delicious chocolate-y mixture.
- Flour: This Texas sheet cake with buttermilk uses regular all-purpose flour.
- Baking Soda: This is the leavening agent that will help the cake rise while baking.
- Eggs: Beat the eggs in a separate bowl before adding to the mixture.
- Buttermilk: Let the buttermilk come to room temperature before adding. This will help it incorporate into the batter much more easily
- Powdered Sugar: Because the chocolate frosting is a heated frosting that pours onto the cake and sets, you’ll want to sift the powdered sugar so there aren’t any clumps of sugar.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil butter, water, and cocoa. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Add 1 cup butter, 1 cup of water and 5 T cocoa powder to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, remove from the heat and set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients. To a large bowl add 2 cups flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk until combined.
- Add cocoa mixture to flour mixture. Pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture. Mix until fully combined. Add 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/2 cup buttermilk. Stir until combined.
- Pour into prepared sheet pan. Lightly spray an 18-13-inch cookie sheet with cooking spray. Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. (Mine took 15 minutes but yours may need the full 20. Keep an eye on it.)
- Make the frosting while the cake is baking. Once the cake is halfway done, start making the frosting. Add 12 T butter to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until fully melted, stirring constantly. Once fully melted, add 4 T cocoa powder and stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Remove the chocolate frosting from the heat and add 6 T milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 lb (16 oz) powdered sugar. Stir until combined and smooth.
- Pour warm chocolate frosting on the buttermilk Texas sheet cake. Once the cake has cooled for 3 minutes, pour the frosting on the warm cake and spread it quickly before it sets. Let sit for a few minutes to set. Slice and serve!
Recipe Tips
Classic Texas sheet cake uses a traditional half-sheet pan (which is 18×13 inches). (FYI a jelly roll pan is 10×15 inches.)
All ovens are different so keep an eye on the cake as baking time may vary. My Texas sheet cake was finished at 15 minutes, but others may need the full 20 minutes. Do not over bake the cake. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Start making the frosting when the cake barely over halfway done baking. I start when the cake has baked for about 10 minutes. However, if your cake will need the full 20 minutes bake time, you can put off making the frosting for a few more minutes.
Sifting the powdered sugar will create a very smooth and even frosting consistency and appearance. You can opt for not sifting the powdered sugar, but just know you’re more likely to have small lumps in the frosting.
Remember, this fudgy icing sets as it cools. So, if the cake still has 5 minutes to bake, DON’T add the powdered sugar to the frosting just yet. Wait until the cake has been pulled from the oven before continuing to make the frosting.
When the cake has finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 3-5 minutes. Then, immediately after you’ve make the Texas sheet cake frosting, you should pour it over the barely cooled cake.
Do your best to pour it evenly. Once poured over the cake quickly use a spatula to even out the frosting before it sets.
I enjoy having a slice of this cake when the frosting is only partially set, it has a melt-in-your-mouth sensation. There’s really nothing quite like it.
Add chopped pecans to the frosting for a nutty element.
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing
You can make the entire cake and frosting ahead of time because the cake will last at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for 4-5 days. However, you can’t really make the cake and the frosting separately.
The cake needs to still be warm (just slightly cooled) when you pour the hot chocolate frosting on. So, you’ll need to make the cake and the frosting in the same sitting.
Store any leftovers of this Texas sheet cake with buttermilk covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for 4-5 days.
To freeze, let cool completely, then flash freeze for a few minutes until the frosting is firm. Double wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove and let thaw in the fridge overnight. Warm before eating!
Recipe FAQs
No. With the cake ingredients, you’ll boil the butter, water, and cocoa and set that aside. So I guess in a way, this is slightly cooling. But you don’t deliberately wait to cool down the ingredients. When you’re doing the frosting, you don’t want to cool the frosting, or it will set in the bowl. Make the frosting and immediately frost the cake.
Yes. Frost the cake as instructed then let it cool completely. Once fully cooled, flash freeze until the frosting is firm then wrap the sheet in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Remove and let thaw in the fridge overnight. Warm in the microwave for best results!
Yes. I would use three 8-inch round pans. Spray the pans then place a circular piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the pans. Spray again. Then pour in the batter. They may bake more quickly so keep an eye on them.
Sure! I’ve never tried it, but the theory should work. You’ll pour the cake batter (only fill 1/2-2/3 full) into cupcake liners. Bake at 350ºF for 12-15 minutes (turn on the oven light at the 10-minute mark just to make sure they’re not baking more quickly). Remove and let cool for 2 minutes. Then dip the cupcake tops into the frosting. Let set.
Texas sheet cake is different from other cakes because it is made by heating butter, water, and cocoa on the stove. It’s also baked on a sheet cake — making it a thin chocolate cake that is practically the size of Texas! The frosting is a cooked frosting that is thin, but sets on top of the cake. The result is a moist chocolate cake that melts in your mouth, topped with a smooth and sweet chocolate frosting. Amazing!
No, you can store it at room temperature, but it will last longer if stored in the fridge. If you live in a warm or humid climate, definitely opt for the fridge.
Once wet ingredients and dry ingredients are combined, you don’t want to over mixing. Over mixing at this stage will make the batter tense, which causes a dense cake.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1 lb (16 oz) powdered sugar - sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 18” x 13” pan with cooking spray.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the chocolate mixture. Mix well. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix until combine.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (All ovens vary, mine finishes baking by 15 minutes, but yours might need the full 20 minutes, so keep an eye on it).
- Cool the cake for about 3 minutes before pouring the frosting over it.
Frosting
- Once the cake is halfway done baking begin making the frosting. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and heat until melted. Once fully melted add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir until combined and smooth. Pour the frosting over the cake and spread quickly before it sets.
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29 Comments on “Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk”
Looks amazing! Question… could I use recipe (as written) to make a 9×13 cake? Thank you!
Hi JL, you could certainly try it but you will definitely have to adjust the baking time! Cakes baked in a 9×13 pan typically take closer to 30-35 minutes to bake. If you try it, please let us know how it goes!
This has been a family favorite for 55+ years. My mother-in-law introduced it to me in the mid 1960s. Making one today for our St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
What a wonderful family tradition! Thank you for sharing Pat.
Does it matter is salted or unsalted butter?
I always use unsalted butter in baking.
Sounds yummy
Can’t wait to try using the buttermilk!
they are so yummy!
Please forgive my doubting you. Batter was perfect amt. And results were delicious!
Sharon, I’m so glad the cake turned out well for you. Thank you for your comment and feedback!
I am looking at the cake batter in my mixing bowl.
I haven’t made one of these in along time and usually did so to use leftover buttermilk.
I was sure my recipes called for more buttermilk than this….l think full cup.
Looking at this amt. of batter , this recipe made enough to barely enough to VERY thinly cover a 13×18 , which is what I’ve always used. I’ll try this and let you know but 1 tsp soda is not gonna raise this as high as it needs to be .
It’s been ages so I can be wrong but I’m mother , grand , and great-grand mother and a retired professional cook of 48 yrs. Have made it a few times!
My mom always made this so I can’t speak to the recipe from back in the day but I just made this and the cake and frosting came exactly to the top of the sheet pan. Still cooling but I have every reason to think it will be delicious. My house smells like a chocolate factory.
Love that smell! Hope it was a hit!
Thank you!!! THIS is the recipe I grew up with and it’s spot on DELICIOUS!
Most people love the thin glaze type frosting listed in this recipe. My family, on the other hand, prefers a thick fudge type frosting. All I do is just keep adding powdered sugar until the frosting is thick and fudgy.
So glad you love the recipe, Teri! Love the idea of making a thick frosting, too. Thanks for sharing!
Does this cake need to be refrigerated (the leftovers)?
No.
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Can you freeze this cake ? If so just cake the. Frost when thawed?? I need to know soon
You can freeze the cake after it has been frosted. You want to frost the cake while its still warm, so make sure you frost it before freezing.
I made this for a group of BYUIDAHO college students and they devoured it! It was melt in your mouth delicious. I will be for sure making it again.
It’s so good, huh! Glad everyone loved it!
I made this Texas Sheet Cake as a thank you for my boyfriend and we both really enjoyed it! It’s definitely the best sheet cake I’ve had. I didn’t add the full amount of powdered sugar because I just eyeballed it, and it still tastes amazing! Thanks for the recipe.
So glad you liked it!
Melt in your mouth deliciousness! Thanks!
Do boiled ingredients in cake and frosting need to be cooled before adding. ??
no. With the cake ingredients, you’ll boil the butter, water, and cocoa and set that aside. So I guess in a way, this is slightly cooling. But you don’t deliberately wait to cool down the ingredients. When you’re doing the frosting, no you don’t want to cool the frosting, or it will set in the bowl. So I’d make the frosting and then immediately frost the cake… or at least frost it within 3-5 minutes of making the frosting. Was this helpful? My thoughts seem to be all over the place. Let me know if you need more clarification!
YUM! This is just the kind of cakes I LOVE!!! Easy and delicious ♥