Introduction
Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a decadent Southern-style dessert that takes everything people love about classic turtle candies—chocolate, caramel, and pecans—and transforms it into an ultra-rich, crowd-pleasing sheet cake. Moist chocolate cake forms the base, while layers of gooey caramel, crunchy toasted pecans, and glossy chocolate icing create a dessert that’s bold, indulgent, and unforgettable.
What makes this cake so special is its texture and simplicity. Like a traditional Texas sheet cake, it’s baked in a large pan, frosted while warm, and designed to feed a crowd. The turtle twist elevates it with layers of caramel and pecans that melt into the cake, creating pockets of sweetness and crunch in every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast at potlucks, holidays, church suppers, and family gatherings.
Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is also wonderfully practical. It comes together with pantry staples, bakes quickly, and doesn’t require fancy decorating. Despite its ease, it tastes like a bakery-level dessert—rich, fudgy, and deeply chocolatey with that unmistakable caramel-pecan finish.
If you’re looking for a show-stopping chocolate cake that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress, this Texas Turtle Sheet Cake belongs at the top of your baking list.
Ingredients
Chocolate Sheet Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Turtle Topping
1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1 cup caramel sauce (thick, spoonable)
Chocolate Icing
½ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅓ cup milk
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch or 9×13-inch sheet cake pan and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. In a saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients
Stir in buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and immediately proceed with toppings.
Step 5: Add Turtle Layers
While the cake is still hot, drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the surface. Sprinkle chopped pecans generously on top, pressing lightly so they adhere.
Variations
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