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Square image close up of Grandma's Texas Sheet Cake on white plate with bite taken out
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Texas Sheet Cake (+Video)

When it comes to a classic cake you can't go wrong with Grandma's Texas Sheet Cake. A classic chocolate cake recipe with a poured frosting that has been loved for generations!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings 20 slices
Calories 391kcal
Author Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

Cake:

Frosting:

Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Butter and flour (or spray with nonstick spray) a 10”x15”x2" baking pan (also called a jelly roll pan) and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, bring to a boil 1 cup margarine, 1 cup water and 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder.
    Margarine, water and cocoa powder added to metal sauce pan
  • Remove from heat and cool slightly.
    Melted butter, water and cocoa powder mixture in metal pan
  • Add in 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, beaten, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup sour cream to the saucepan.
    Flour, eggs, baking soda, sugar and sour cream added to melted chocolate mixture in metal sauce pan
  • Mix together well.
    Mixed together cake batter in sauce pan
  • Pour batter into prepared baking sheet and bake on the middle oven rack for about 22-25 minutes. Oven times will vary. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean when ready.
    Cake batter poured into a flour baking pan
  • Allow the cake to cool for at least 10-15 before making the frosting.
    Finished baked cake in baking pan

For the frosting:

  • In a saucepan, bring to boil 1/2 cup margarine, 6 Tablespoons milk and 4 Tablespoons cocoa powder.
    Margarine, milk and cocoa powder added to metal sauce pan
  • Remove from heat and add in 1 cup chopped walnuts (if using), 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
    Nuts, powdered sugar and vanilla added to cocoa mixture in metal sauce pan
  • Beat well until combined and immediately pour over warm cake.
    Frosting poured over top of cake and topped with more nuts
  • Let cool until frosting is set. Then cut and serve!
    Cake pan of Grandma's Texas Sheet Cake with a few slices missing

Video

Notes

  • I use margarine in this recipe because that is what Grandma used. Butter will work but I found after testing that margarine actually produces a moister cake.
  • This Texas Sheet Cake is made is a more traditional recipe. Some of the ingredients used were popular in baking during the 1950's when this recipe became really popular. In a lot of early 20th century baking, you'll see a reference to using "Oleo." This was just a name brand for margarine. 
  • This is made in a jelly roll pan which is 10"x 15". It will also work in a larger 12"x17" but the cooking time needs to be lessened so it won't over-bake.
  • A higher sided pan is recommended so the frosting doesn't go over the sides. So make sure your jelly roll pan has at least 2-inch high sides.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 230mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g
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