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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Equipment

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

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

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 18x13-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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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