Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake With Buttermilk

Texas chocolate sheet cake with buttermilk is one of those desserts that you just have to make every now and again because it’s so amazingly rich and delicious.

And, one of the best things about this cake? It’s incredibly easy to make and perfect for a last-minute dessert.

So what are you waiting for? Make this delicious Texas sheet cake recipe today!

Classic Texas Sheet Cake

A slice of chocolate sheet cake on a white plate in front of the cake.

If you’re looking for the best chocolate sheet cake recipe, look no further! This chocolate sheet cake, the size of Texas, is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Bring it to a potluck once, and people will be asking for a repeat of it for every gathering–it’s that good.

If you’re looking for a true southern treat, Texas chocolate sheet cake will be right up your alley.

It’s an easy, moist recipe and the perfect cake for birthdays, holidays, or any time of year.

The rich and decadent chocolate buttermilk frosting contains chopped walnuts on top of the delicious sheet cake.

Sheet Cake

This really is one of my favorite cakes because it’s so rich, moist, and perfectly chocolate. 

The best part? You most likely have all of the ingredients right there at home to make the classic cake and creamy frosting.

It’s a little bit different than regular cake in that it doesn’t rise as much. It is still just as delicious, though.

Texas chocolate sheet cake in a gray metal sheet cake pan

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake

The cake is made with cinnamon and buttermilk and is topped with a creamy buttermilk frosting.

The walnuts add a little bit of crunch for a tasty recipe for Texas chocolate sheet cake. 

An old-fashioned chocolate sheet cake is easy to make. There are a few steps, but you are going to love how it turns out. 

I don’t tend to do well with layer cake–I mess them up easily–so I like to stick more with cakes that I know are going to turn out well for me, look pretty, but mostly taste really, really good. 

And this one does, I promise. 

How many people does a sheet cake feed?

A full sheet cake will typically feed around 90 to 96 people, depending on the size that you cut the slice. This is for a 2″ x 2″ slice of cake (which is way too small in my book–I love big pieces of cake).

How big is a half-sheet cake?

A half-sheet cake will typically feed about 40 people with a 2″ x 2″ piece.

Most sheet cakes that you come across at weddings and events are more than one layer, and the host will cut them into smaller pieces, so you will get quite a few out of the cake.

I wrote this sheet cake recipe post planning for around 24 servings because I like to cut the slices a little larger than normal, and it’s not a double-layered cake.

Most sheet cakes are a double or triple layer, so it will be a little more filling, as well.

Sheet Cake Sizes for Sheet Cake Recipes

Quarter Sheet Pan Cake9″ x 13″Serves up to 12
Half Sheet Pan Cake13″ x 18″Serves up to 24
Full Sheet Pan Cake18″ x 26″Serves up to 48
Servings are for 3″ x 3″ cake pieces
A slice of Texas chocolate sheet cake on a white plate with a fork.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake?

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

  • All-purpose flour
  • Water
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Buttermilk
  • Eggs
  • Ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Salt
  • Baking soda

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar (sifted)
  • Buttermilk
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Butter
  • Chopped walnuts (optional)

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-By-Step Instructions On How To Make The Sheet Cake

Flour in a large metal mixing bowl for sheet cake.

Start by adding the flour to a large mixing bowl.

I start off by getting the dry ingredients and the buttermilk ready.

You are going to be boiling a few of the sheet cake ingredients and will need to pour them into this bowl, so it’s good to go on ahead and get it ready and set it aside. 

Sugar and flour in a large metal mixing bowl for sheet cake.

Next, add the sugar to the bowl.

Flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large metal mixing bowl for sheet cake.

Add the baking soda. 

Baking soda helps the cake rise.

I made some biscuits the other night and completely forgot to put in the baking soda and had some super flat biscuits, so it does make a difference.

Salt in a measuring spoon.

Pour the salt into the mixture.

Cinnamon in a metal mixing bowl with sugar and flour.

Cinnamon is the next ingredient. Whisk the flour mixture.

This is optional. The cinnamon just adds a bit of a different flavor to the sheet cake.

If you’re not a big cinnamon fan, just leave it out. It will still taste amazing. 

Two eggs in a bowl with flour, sugar, and cinnamon.

Next, add the eggs to the mixture. 

Buttermilk, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, and sugar in a metal mixing bowl.

Pour the buttermilk and vanilla extract into the mixture. Mix everything together and set aside.

You will be adding the boiling chocolate to this mixture in just a minute.

If you need a buttermilk substitute, there are several options, including milk and vinegar, plain yogurt and water, or even water and lemon juice.

Here’s a great article on finding a buttermilk substitute.

Sticks of butter melting in a saucepan for sheet cake.

In a medium saucepan, add the sticks of butter and melt them on medium-high heat. 

Unsweetened cocoa in a saucepan with melting butter.

Add the cocoa and water to the melting butter. 

I used a whisk to stir everything together and try to get most of the lumps out.

You will be able to mix everything together again once you pour it into the buttermilk mixture, so if you don’t get all of the lumps out in this step, that’s okay. 

Boiling chocolate sheet cake mixture. in a saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a boil. 

Once the butter mixture boils, remove it from the stove. 

Pouring the chocolate mixture for sheet cake into the flour mixture.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the buttermilk mixture and stir together. 

I kept the buttermilk mixture in my Kitchenaid mixer bowl and poured the chocolate mixture in so I could easily mix it again. 

Chocolate cake batter in a metal sheet cake pan.

Pour the cake mix into a greased jelly roll pan. 

Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the cake tester comes out clean. 

I used a 14-inch x 10-inch x 1-inch jelly roll pan. You really need a large sheet pan to hold the cake mix, or it will bubble over and be a big mess.

If you want to put it into a casserole dish baking pan with sides measuring more than one inch, you can do that as well. It will be a thicker cake but just as delicious. 

Making the Chocolate Buttermilk Icing

I make the frosting while the cake is baking because you’re going to want to get the frosting on the cake while it’s warm so it spreads more easily. 

I start making the frosting about five minutes before the cake is done baking. 

Melting butter in a saucepan for frosting.

Grab a medium size saucepan again and melt the butter. 

Unsweetened cocoa and melted butter in a saucepan for frosting.

Next, add the unsweetened cocoa and buttermilk to the saucepan. 

Mix everything together and bring to a boil. Once it boils, remove it from the stovetop. 

Powdered sugar in a saucepan with butter and coca for frosting.

Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla. 

I used a hand mixer to blend everything together.

You can end up with some lumps from the powdered sugar if you decide to mix by hand, so using the mixer helps give you a more creamy frosting. 

If you’re not comfortable using a hand mixer in your saucepan, just transfer the frosting to a bowl. 

Walnuts on top of chocolate frosting in a saucepan.

If y’all would like to add walnuts to the frosting, now is the time. 

But, if you’re more of a pecan fan, you can use those instead.

Texas sheet cake in a sheet cake pan with chocolate and walnut frosting.

Mix it all together and spread the warm chocolate frosting on top of the cake while it’s still warm.

A piece of chocolate sheet cake on a white plate.

More Delicious Cake Recipes

  • German chocolate cake – the moist chocolate cake with coconut is easy to make and tastes better than any store-bought cake.
  • Slow cooker chocolate cake – the easy recipe is made in the slow cooker and turns out to be a decadent chocolate cake.
  • Chocolate Coca-Cola cake – the combination of chocolate cake and chocolate icing with Coca-Cola is a classic recipe.
  • White Texas sheet cake from Taste of Home features ingredients of sour cream, almond extract, and more for a wonderfully delicious cake. The recipe is a true old-fashioned Texas sheet cake.

Recipe Card for The Best Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake with Buttermilk

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious dessert to make, look no further than this moist sheet cake with buttermilk.

This cake is so rich and chocolatey that you won’t be able to resist it! It is the perfect dessert.

Plus, it’s perfect for birthday parties, potlucks, and anything in between.

And the best part is that it’s really easy to make, so it’s perfect for a last-minute dessert. So what are you waiting for? Get the recipe and start baking today!

Check out the best Texas sheet cake with buttermilk recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start baking! This is a great dessert.

Texas chocolate sheet cake with buttermilk

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake with Buttermilk

4.48 from 59 votes
Julie Pollitt
The best Texas sheet sake with buttermilk is a true southern treat. It's an easy moist recipe, and the perfect cake for birthdays, Christmas, or any time of year. The chocolate buttermilk frosting contains chopped walnuts on top of the delicious sheet cake.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pieces
Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients
  

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 -1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 Tablespoon buttermilk
  • 2-1/4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 14" x 10" x 1" jelly roll pan or casserole dish.

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

  • Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to a large bowl.
  • Next, add the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla to the bowl and mix together with an electric mixer. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter on medium-high. Add the water and unsweetened cocoa powder and mix together. Bring to a boil.
  • Remove from heat, pour into the buttermilk mixture, and mix well.
  • Pour into a greased jelly roll pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the cake tester comes out clean.

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

  • Add the butter to a saucepan and melt on medium-high heat.
  • Add the unsweetened cocoa powder and buttermilk and mix well. Bring to a boil.
  • Remove from heat and add powdered sugar to the saucepan. Mix with a hand mixer (add to a bowl to mix if you do not want to mix in the saucepan).
  • Add the vanilla and mix together.
  • Add the walnuts (optional).
  • Spread the rich chocolate frosting on the warm cake.

Notes

Store the cake in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated.
The classic Southern dessert is perfect for family gatherings, birthdays, potlucks, and desserts.
You can use round pans, but you will need at least three.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 193mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.48 from 59 votes (59 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says:

    This looks almost sinful!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Colleen!

      I think it is!

  2. Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says:

    Texas Sheet Cake is a new to me recipe! I accidentally made it while experimenting in the kitchen and then discovered thats what I had made hahaha. Yours looks like chocolate perfection though 🙂 XOXO

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      That’s too funny! I bet yours turned out amazing, Kelly! Your treats always do. 🙂

  3. Miz Helen says:

    We sure have enjoyed featuring your post on the Top Ten at Full Plate Thursday. Thanks so much for sharing it with us and have a great week!
    Miz Helen

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thank you! I always enjoy Full Plate Thursday!!

  4. Marty Embry says:

    Soooo, I made your Texas Sheet Cake! It was easy, fast and delish! Once I put the sheet cake in the oven, I made the frosting. By the time the frosting was completed, my cake was done (my oven runs a bit hot)!

    I had to make a few substitutions because I didnt realize that I was out of a few ingredients but it worked out wonderfully! I did add some bourbon to the cake though! Don’t judge me! Lol

    Thank you for a super easy and delicious sheet cake! It was the star of the dessert table and the first to go!

    Oh, I doubled the frosting recipe because i like thicker frosted cakes! This cake was sinfully delicious! Fail safe and impossible to mess up!

    Kudos to you!!

    Marty
    http://www.fromthecourttothekitchen.com

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      That’s great to hear! Thanks so much for sharing that!

  5. Cathy street says:

    Made this, good but a little skimpy in the frosting tecipe

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thank you! You can double the frosting to add some more.

  6. Chuck Binzel says:

    I’m sure there is a good reason for NOT showing the measurements. Could you please explain why you give instructions without measurements?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Chuck,

      If you scroll to the bottom, you’ll find a printable recipe card and it has all of the measurements and instructions.