Rich, moist chocolate sheet cake topped with chocolate frosting and toasted pecans. Made in a cast iron skillet in just a little over 30 minutes!!
Texas sheet cake has always been a favorite of mine. It’s so easy to whip up, especially in a hurry. A few Sundays ago we were craving something sweet. Usually we stick with our favorite cookies or brownies, but we wanted something a little different. This was a huge hit with everyone!
I didn’t want to make a gigantic sheet of cake, so instead I scaled down the recipe to fit in our 10-inch cast iron skillet. The cake batter is made on the stovetop in the skillet and then gets transferred to the oven to bake. I loved that- one less dish to wash! The cake baked perfectly, then as it was cooling I made the frosting.
The frosting gets made on the stovetop as well. It’s kind of like a mix between a glaze and a ganache. I mixed in some toasted chopped pecans (my mother-in-law had just given us a big bag of them from Georgia) and then poured it over the warm cake. About 10 minutes later the top had set and it was ready to be devoured! We served ours up with some vanilla bean ice cream and a pinch of sea salt. It was sooo good!
Here’s why we loved this recipe:
✔️ We had all of the ingredients in our pantry/fridge
✔️ It was ready to go in a little over 30 minutes (that’s kind of a BIG deal)
✔️ Clean-up was a breeze
✔️ The chocolate flavor was rich but not overwhelming
✔️ The “frosting” moistened the cake nicely & the toasted nuts added a nice crunch
✔️ It made the perfect amount for our family for the week
Give this skillet a try, you’re gonna love it!
Texas Sheet Cake with Buttermilk Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup +2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans - chopped
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt; set aside.
- In a 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet, bring the butter, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, and water to a boil. Remove from the heat and whisk in the dry ingredients, followed by the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 18–25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, boil the butter, cocoa, and milk for the frosting. Remove from heat, whisk in the powdered sugar, pecans, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the warm cake, spread evenly, and let the frosting set for about 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream if desired.
Love this cake recipe! It mix just the right amount and not too much. Actually, when you get the first bite, you can’t stop eating.
I was looking for a “Welcoming” gift .. then I saw your recipe and I made it. It came out perfect and they loved the idea they could keep the skillet too. Thank you . It’s a winner!!
I’ve made this recipe many times and every time it’s absolutely amazing. Everyone that has had it always raves about it. It doesn’t last long in my house. It’s perfection with a little vanilla ice cream. YUM. 😋
Very good, have made it several times.
This is the best Texas Sheet Cake recipe I’ve made. The cake is as delicious as the icing. The two together are splendid. Perfect size for our family. My family requests it now for all our family get togethers. The iron skillet makes it perfect and I love putting it together in the skillet. Made my own buttermilk using milk and vinegar. Thank you for a great recipe