Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the ultimate indulgence for chocolate lovers. This rich and moist chocolate sheet cake is topped with gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and a smooth chocolate frosting, making it a dessert that’s impossible to resist. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or celebrations, this cake delivers big flavors with minimal effort. If you’re craving a show-stopping treat, this Texas classic is just what you need.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Toppings:

  • 1 cup caramel sauce
  • 1½ cups chopped pecans
  • 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 tbsp whole milk
  • 3½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Make the Cake:

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Cook Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts. Remove from heat.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually mix the warm cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly.

Add the Toppings:

  1. Layer Caramel and Pecans: Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the warm cake, then sprinkle with chopped pecans and chocolate chips.

Make the Frosting:

  1. Cook Frosting Base: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and milk, and cook until smooth. Remove from heat.
  2. Finish Frosting: Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
  3. Frost the Cake: Pour the frosting over the caramel and toppings, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Serve:

  1. Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely so the layers set. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Shortcut: Use a store-bought caramel sauce to save time.
  • Nut-Free Option: Skip the pecans for a chocolate-only version or substitute with toasted coconut.
  • Freezing: The cake can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before adding toppings.

Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans. This crowd-pleasing cake is rich, decadent, and guaranteed to be the star of any event!

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