Homemade Bliss: The Pioneer Woman’s Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

When chocolate meets comfort, Texas sheet cake reigns supreme as a Southern culinary treasure.

This decadent dessert has been warming hearts and satisfying sweet cravings for generations.

Imagine a cake so moist and rich that it transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations.

The deep chocolate flavor bursts through every single bite, creating an irresistible experience that lingers on your palate.

Incredibly simple to prepare, this sheet cake brings professional-level deliciousness right to your home kitchen.

Its generous size makes it perfect for feeding hungry crowds at potlucks, family reunions, or weekend gatherings.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly this cake comes together, promising maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Check out this chocolatey masterpiece and watch as smiles spread faster than the cake itself!

Ingredient Essentials for Pioneer Woman Texas Sheet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached, high-quality flour for a tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Opt for fine, pure cane sugar for smooth sweetness.
• Kosher Salt: Select coarse salt that enhances chocolate's deep flavor.

• Buttermilk, Eggs: Select farm-fresh eggs and tangy buttermilk for rich moisture.
• Baking Soda: Ensure fresh, active baking soda for proper cake rising.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure, high-quality extract for authentic aromatic depth.

• Butter, Cocoa Powder: Select unsalted European-style butter and premium Dutch-processed cocoa for intense chocolate essence.
• Milk: Use whole milk for creamy, luxurious texture.
• Pecans: Choose fresh, crisp pecans with a golden, robust flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Select finely ground sugar for silky smooth frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure, intense extract for flavor complexity.
• Pecans: Select premium, crisp pecans for delightful crunch.

The Bakeware You’ll Need for Texas Sheet Cake

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating smooth cake batter.
• Medium Saucepan: Essential for melting butter and creating chocolate mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients and create smooth, lump-free mixtures.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee baking success.
• Sheet Cake Pan (18×13-inch): Provides ideal space for baking the cake.
• Parchment Paper: Optional, but helpful for easy cake removal.
• Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
• Separate Small Bowl: Useful for mixing wet ingredients.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and folding ingredients.
• Clean Saucepan: Needed for preparing the decadent frosting.

How to Make a Proper Texas Sheet Cake

Whip Up A Chocolate Sheet Cake

Craft a mouthwatering chocolate sheet cake that’ll make everyone’s taste buds dance with joy. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert that’s perfect for any gathering.

• Prep Your Baking Station

Get your kitchen ready by heating the oven and setting up your baking pan. Grease the pan thoroughly or line it with parchment paper to ensure your cake slides out effortlessly.

• Create the Chocolate Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, watching carefully to prevent burning. Stir in cocoa powder until the mixture becomes silky smooth. Pour boiling water into the chocolatey mixture and let it bubble briefly before removing from heat.

• Blend Cake Ingredients

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring gently to create a rich, velvety base. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract.

• Mix and Bake

Fold the wet ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just combined. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, revealing a perfectly moist cake.

• Craft Irresistible Frosting

While the cake is still warm, prepare the frosting by melting butter and mixing in cocoa powder. Add milk, vanilla, and a touch of sweetness. Sprinkle in chopped pecans for an extra crunch.

• Final Flourish

Generously spread the warm frosting over the cake, allowing it to drape and set slightly. The result? A show-stopping chocolate sheet cake that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips to Customize This Classic Chocolate Cake

• Bake Like a Pro: Expert Tips for Chocolate Sheet Cake
• Control Chocolate Intensity: Adjust cocoa powder quantity for deeper or lighter chocolate flavor. Dark cocoa creates richer taste while standard cocoa provides classic sweetness.
• Master Moisture Technique: Never overmix batter to ensure tender, soft cake texture. Stir ingredients just until combined for perfect crumb consistency.
• Customize Frosting Flair: Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or skip nuts entirely. Experiment with different nut varieties to personalize your dessert experience.
• Temperature Timing Trick: Always use room temperature eggs and buttermilk for smoother batter integration. Cold ingredients can disrupt cake's smooth blending process.

Slicing and Serving Texas Sheet Cake Ideas

• Serve with Cool Whipped Cream: Top each slice with a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a creamy contrast to the rich chocolate cake.
• Pair with Fresh Berries: Garnish with a handful of ripe strawberries or raspberries to add a tangy, fresh element that cuts through the cake's sweetness.
• Create a Chocolate Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top for added crunch and nutty flavor, making the dessert even more indulgent.
• Enjoy with Hot Beverage: Complement the cake with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate to enhance the deep chocolate experience.

Storage Tips for Leftover Cake and Future Bakes

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Serve Fresh and Quick: Enjoy this chocolate sheet cake within 2-3 days at room temperature for maximum flavor and moisture. Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
• Refrigeration Technique: Extend cake life by refrigerating for up to 5 days. Cover tightly to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual cake slices or entire cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake base one day ahead and store at room temperature. Add frosting just before serving to maintain optimal texture and taste. Perfect for stress-free entertaining and advance preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

Indulgent Pioneer Woman Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate sheet cake from Pioneer Woman brings Southern comfort to dessert tables with its classic chocolate frosting. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this crowd-pleasing treat perfect for gatherings you’ll love sharing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 400g (2 cups) granulated sugar
• 250g (2 cups) plain flour
• 226g (2 sticks or 226ml) butter
• 200g (1 ¾ sticks or 200ml) butter
• 30g (4 heaping tbsps) cocoa powder
• 240ml (1 cup) boiling water
• 120ml (½ cup) buttermilk
• 90ml (6 tbsps) milk
• 2 whole eggs, beaten
• 430g (1 pound minus ½ cup) powdered sugar
• 65g (½ cup) pecans, finely chopped
• 10ml (2 tsp) vanilla extract
• 5g (1 tsp) baking soda
• 1.5g (¼ tsp) kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat oven to 175°C (350°F) and ready an 18×13-inch sheet cake pan with grease and flour or parchment paper.
2. Dry Mixture: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Chocolate Base: Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in cocoa powder until smooth. Add boiling water and remove from heat.
4. Batter Creation: Pour hot chocolate mixture over dry ingredients, stirring to form a cohesive base. Separately, blend buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract.
5. Mixing and Baking: Incorporate buttermilk mixture into chocolate batter, blending until just combined. Transfer to prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Decadent Frosting: While cake is warm, craft icing by melting butter, blending with cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Fold in chopped pecans.
7. Finishing Touch: Generously spread warm icing over the cake, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Notes

• Prevent Burning Butter: Watch butter closely when melting to avoid scorching, which can create bitter flavors and ruin the cake’s delicate taste.
• Activate Baking Soda Properly: Ensure buttermilk is at room temperature to help baking soda activate fully, creating a lighter, more tender cake texture.
• Master Mixing Technique: Stir batter just until ingredients are combined; overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake with less appealing crumb structure.
• Timing is Critical: Check cake at 18 minutes instead of full 20 to prevent overcooking, as sheet cakes can dry out quickly in the oven.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg