Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake

If you’re in the mood for a decadent dessert that’s rich, chocolaty, and utterly indulgent, then this Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the perfect treat for you.

Inspired by the classic Southern dessert, this cake combines a moist chocolate sheet cake with the gooey goodness of caramel, crunchy pecans, and a luscious chocolate glaze. It’s the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers and a fantastic option for any gathering or celebration. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something sweet, this cake delivers layers of flavor that are sure to impress. The best part? It’s simple to make, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort. Even if you’re not an experienced baker, you’ll find that this Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a foolproof recipe that anyone can master. So, get ready to indulge in a slice of chocolate heaven—this cake is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Kitchen Equipment Needed:

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 18×13-inch sheet pan
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons whole milk
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Prepare the Cake Batter:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 18×13-inch sheet pan and set aside.
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
   • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in the water and bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.
   • Pour the hot cocoa mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
2. Bake the Cake:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and spread it evenly with a rubber spatula.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack.
3. Prepare the Topping:
   • While the cake is cooling, prepare the chocolate topping. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat.
   • Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
   • Pour the warm chocolate topping over the cooled cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. Add the Turtle Toppings:
   • Drizzle the caramel sauce over the chocolate topping. Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the cake, followed by the chocolate chips.
5. Serve:
   • Allow the cake to set for about 15-20 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Prep Time:

• 20 minutes

Cook Time:

• 20 minutes

Total Time:

• 40 minutes

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 350
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 35g

Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake

Introduction: If you're in the mood for a decadent dessert that's rich, chocolaty, and utterly indulgent, then this Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the perfect treat for you.

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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the Topping:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons whole milk
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 18x13-inch sheet pan
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 18x13-inch sheet pan and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in the water and bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.
4. Pour the hot cocoa mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
5. Bake the Cake:
6. Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and spread it evenly with a rubber spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack.
8. Prepare the Topping:
9. While the cake is cooling, prepare the chocolate topping. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat.
10. Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
11. Pour the warm chocolate topping over the cooled cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
12. Add the Turtle Toppings:
13. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the chocolate topping. Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the cake, followed by the chocolate chips.
14. Serve:
15. Allow the cake to set for about 15-20 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.
16. Prep Time:
17. 20 minutes
18. Cook Time:
19. 20 minutes
20. Total Time:
21. 40 minutes
22. Nutrition (per serving):
23. Calories: 350
24. Carbohydrates: 48g
25. Protein: 4g
26. Fat: 16g
27. Saturated Fat: 9g
28. Cholesterol: 60mg
29. Sodium: 150mg
30. Fiber: 2g
31. Sugar: 35g