If you love a classic Texas sheet cake but want something a little richer and more indulgent, this Texas Turtle version is such a treat. It’s chocolatey, gooey, and beautifully layered with caramel, pecans, and chocolate simple enough for a weeknight, special enough for a celebration.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Turtle toppings:
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted if you like
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought works beautifully)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or melted chocolate
Optional swaps: Use walnuts instead of pecans, or lightly salt the caramel for a sweet-salty finish.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 13×18-inch sheet pan. A little parchment on the bottom never hurts.
- Whisk together flour and sugar in a large bowl. This helps the cake come together smoothly later.
- Warm the butter, water, and cocoa in a saucepan until it just begins to bubble. Pour it over the flour mixture and stir don’t worry, it will look thin at first.
- Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Mix gently until the batter is smooth and glossy.
- Pour into your pan and bake for 18–22 minutes, just until the center springs back. Sheet cakes bake fast, so keep an eye on it.
- Make the frosting: melt butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan, then whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until velvety.
- Pour warm frosting over the warm cake, then sprinkle pecans, drizzle caramel, and finish with chocolate. Let it all settle into a beautiful, shiny finish.
Chef’s Tips
- Toast the pecans for 5 minutes at 350°F this tiny step makes the flavor deeper and warmer.
- Frost while warm: both the cake and frosting should be warm so they melt together into that signature Texas sheet cake texture.
s- Store smartly: Keep leftovers covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5. The caramel actually gets even gooier by day two.
Variations
- Salted Turtle Cake: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel for a bakery-style finish.
- Mocha Turtle: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to the batter for a deeper chocolate note.
- Extra-Caramel Swirl: Pour half the batter, drizzle caramel, then add the rest before baking.