Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the ultimate indulgence for chocolate lovers. This rich and moist chocolate sheet cake is topped with gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and a smooth chocolate frosting, making it a dessert that’s impossible to resist. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or celebrations, this cake delivers big flavors with minimal effort. If you’re craving a show-stopping treat, this Texas classic is just what you need.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

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

For the Toppings:

• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1½ cups chopped pecans
• 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tbsp whole milk
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Make the Cake:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Cook Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts. Remove from heat.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually mix the warm cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly.

Add the Toppings:

6. Layer Caramel and Pecans: Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the warm cake, then sprinkle with chopped pecans and chocolate chips.

Make the Frosting:

7. Cook Frosting Base: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and milk, and cook until smooth. Remove from heat.
8. Finish Frosting: Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
9. Frost the Cake: Pour the frosting over the caramel and toppings, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Serve:

10. Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely so the layers set. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

• Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
• Shortcut: Use a store-bought caramel sauce to save time.
• Nut-Free Option: Skip the pecans for a chocolate-only version or substitute with toasted coconut.
• Freezing: The cake can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before adding toppings.

Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans. This crowd-pleasing cake is rich, decadent, and guaranteed to be the star of any event!