Prep: 15 min
Bake: 35 min
Yield: 1 (18x13-inch) sheet cake
This iconic Texas sheet cake recipe has been time-tested to perfection by generations of Texans. Rich chocolate cake, fudgy frosting and pecans give it a brownie-like flavor that pairs well with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- 2 1/4 cups sifted Swans Down® Cake Flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup grapeseed oil (or other neutral-flavor
oil)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup hot, freshly brewed coffee (we used French Market® Coffee)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- Preheat oven to 325℉ . Grease and flour an 18×13-inch sheet pan.
- Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add oil, butter, and coffee; whisk until combined. Add buttermilk and whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined. (Batter will be thin.)
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make Frosting: Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add cocoa powder and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Remove from heat; add heavy cream and vanilla. Stir to combine. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar. Add nuts.
- Spread frosting over warm cake and allow to cool completely before serving.
Do you need to add the coffee or can it be omitted?
HI Maxine, Yes you can omit the coffee but it does boost the flavor of the chocolate. I recommend keeping it but you don’t have to use it. Enjoy and happy baking!
Would love the recipe but only shows picture of cake. Disappointing!
Hi Tippy,
I think we are having problems with this page. I will send you an email with a PDF version of the recipe. It is a great cake and would love for you to try it.
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Happy Baking!
Have to leave a comment to see the recipe
Hi Amber, Try holding the Shift key and refresh your page. Happy baking!
What is the point of the supposed recipes on this website? Not a single one of them actually shows the recipe and there is no print button anywhere to even print the recipe.
Hi Amber, We’re sorry to hear that you were having display issues with swansdown.com. All of the recipes have beautiful photos along with ingredients and directions. If you run into this again we’d recommend you refresh or restart your browser window. Happy baking!
coking with the recipes are fun. thank you!