Texas Sheet Cake | Ultimate Recipe

So why is it called Texas sheet cake? Well, by my reckoning “I am in agreement”, that it is large like Texas and rich like Texas oil. It is a popular cake all over the US, not just in Texas. The original name was Texas Sheath Cake dating back to the 1930s per newspaper clippings. However, the origin and date have never been verified. A similar cake recipe debuted in the Dallas Morning News in 1957 which immediately made it a big hit.

Did Texas Sheet Cake Originate in Texas?

We may never know if ‘Texas’ Sheet Cake originated in Texas or not, but the name stuck. It is likened to a ‘funeral’ cake which is common in the South. Today there are many variations to the Texas Sheet Cake. Many cooks add sour cream for extra moistness, but I promise you will not miss the sour cream. I think sour cream makes it a tad heavy and I love the lightness of this recipe.

This cake is soft as silk going into your mouth, I kid you not. It is not a heavy cake which makes it taste wonderful with only confectioners’ sugar on top. I have also included an icing recipe with maple syrup which enhances the flavor of the pecans. I make it both ways depending on my taste buds. If you are topping it with pecans the icing helps them stay in place. However, the icing is optional.

I really think this gluten-free version is even better than the original Texas sheet cake recipe. I have friends who say it is the best chocolate cake recipe in the world. Top it with the icing and pecans if desired or sprinkle with white confectioners’ sugar, it is wonderful either way!

I have picky eaters and some of them do not like pecans, so I have left this as a last step over the icing if you want to add them. I love pecans so I typically put pecans over the icing on half of the cake and only icing on the other half. The ingredient amounts, however, assume you will use pecans on the entire cake.

Texas Pecans are awesome Y’all, I’m just saying. However, any pecan will do if they are lightly toasted. I happen to have the best paper shell pecan tree in the whole town, right out in my backyard, or so they say 😊.

Top it off while it is still warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So Yummy!

Gluten-Free Options

Gluten-Free products we have used are:

• Hershey’s Cocoa Powder
• Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar
• Wholesome Organic Dark Brown Sugar
• McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
• Krusteaz Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
• Clabber Girl Baking Powder
• Members Mark Maple Syrup (Sam Club brand)

Gluten Free options are provided as a resource only. Always check your product labeling or contact the manufacturer of ingredients you are using. If there is not a gluten-free or GF on the label of the product packaging, read the ingredients label thoroughly. Check for hidden or questionable ingredients. Some ingredients may contain hidden gluten.

This Texas Sheet Recipe is great for potlucks or just rounding out that special Sunday dinner. If you don’t need a cake the size of Texas, you can cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 10” x 15” jelly roll pan.

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Try our Texas Skillet Chili for more gluten-free options.

Read about gluten-free eating here.

What is the difference between a Texas Sheet Cake and a regular cake?The main difference is that a Texas Sheet Cake is cooked in a large sheet cake pan and topped with pecans.

Why is this cake called a Texas Sheet Cake?It is called a Texas Sheet cake because it is large like Texas and rich like Texas oil.

Celiac is a serious auto-immune disease that can damage the intestines. Celiac disease is hereditary and can run in families.