Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake (Texas Sheet Cake Style)
Introduction
This cake is a chocolate lover’s dream — moist, rich, and topped with a fudgy icing that soaks slightly into the warm cake. Unlike tall layered cakes, this sheet cake is baked in a single layer, making it easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. The shiny chocolate glaze is poured on while the cake is still warm, giving it that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
History
- The Texas Sheet Cake became popular in the U.S. during the 1960s, often seen in Southern church cookbooks and potluck gatherings.
- It is thought to have earned its name either because it’s “as big as Texas” (baked in a large sheet pan) or because it became especially loved in Texas households.
- Its hallmark is the boiled chocolate frosting poured onto the cake straight out of the oven.
Ingredients (Serves 12–16)
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Fudge Icing
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- (Optional) 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Benefits
- Quick to prepare: No layering or complicated frosting.
- Moist & flavorful: Sour cream ensures tenderness.
- Feeds a crowd: Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, and family gatherings.
- Customizable: Add nuts, coconut, or even a touch of cinnamon for variety.
- Comfort food: The perfect nostalgic dessert for chocolate lovers.
Instructions & Methods
Step 1 — Prepare the Oven & Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 13×9-inch baking pan (or line with parchment).
Step 2 — Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3 — Make the Chocolate Mixture
- In a saucepan, melt butter with water and cocoa powder over medium heat.
- Stir until smooth, then pour hot mixture into dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
Step 4 — Add Wet Ingredients
- Stir in sour cream, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mix until smooth and glossy.
Step 5 — Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6 — Make the Fudge Icing
- In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa powder and milk. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, then whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
- (Optional) Stir in chopped nuts.
Step 7 — Glaze the Cake
- Pour warm icing over hot cake straight out of the oven.
- Spread evenly and let it set at room temperature.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Formation Tips
- Shiny crackled top: Always pour icing while cake is still hot.
- Extra moist: Don’t overbake — keep the center slightly soft.
- Flavor twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to enhance chocolate.
- Nut lovers: Pecans or walnuts add crunch and depth.
- Storage: Stays moist for 3–4 days if covered.
Conclusion
This Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing is a timeless recipe that balances simplicity with indulgence. It’s rich, moist, and sweet — the kind of cake that brings people together at potlucks, birthdays, and family dinners. Easy to make yet irresistibly delicious, it proves that sometimes the simplest cakes are the most memorable.
For the Lovers of Chocolate Cake
This recipe is for those who can’t resist fudgy, chocolatey bites that melt in the mouth. For cake lovers, it’s comfort in every forkful. For chocolate enthusiasts, it’s pure happiness baked into a pan. And for families, it’s the kind of dessert that becomes tradition — passed down and cherished at every gathering.