Texas Turtle Sheet Cake Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a fan of rich, gooey, chocolatey desserts, the Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is about to become your favorite treat. This decadent dessert combines the classic flavors of a Texas sheet cake with the indulgent additions of caramel, pecans, and chocolate chips—earning it the “turtle” moniker. Here’s how to make this crowd-pleaser step by step.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

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

For the Topping:

1 cup unsalted butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅓ cup whole milk
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
¾ cup chopped pecans
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Equipment Needed:

Large mixing bowl
Medium saucepan
18×13-inch sheet pan (jelly roll pan)
Whisk or hand mixer
Rubber spatula
Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions:

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