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an overhead image of a slice of buttermilk texas sheet cake on a plate with a gold fork next to the cake.

The Best Chocolate Buttermilk Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Buttermilk Texas Sheet Cake Recipe is the perfect dessert for any occasion.  Birthday parties, family gatherings, or even your local church potluck will enjoy this classic southern dessert!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 20 slices

Ingredients
  

Sheet Cake Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs, room temperature

Warm Frosting Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 4-5 tbsp milk
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp corn syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

To make the Sheet Cake

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 15" x 10" baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside. 
  • In a large saucepan, melt 2 sticks of butter over medium heat.  To your butter, add your cocoa powder, hot water, and coffee and whisk well. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. 
  • While the chocolate mixture is cooling, now's the time to make your buttermilk. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a 1/2 cup measuring cup.  Fill up the measuring cup to the top with milk and allow the buttermilk mixture to sour for 5 minutes before using. 
  • When the chocolate mixture is cool, to the same saucepan, add your dry ingredients, buttermilk, vanilla extract and eggs. Mix well.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 28 - 30 minutes.  Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes while you make the chocolate fudge frosting.

To make the Warm Fudge Frosting

  • In a small saucepan, melt butter and cocoa together over low heat, whisking to break up any cocoa lumps.  
  • Add in 4 cups of powdered sugar along with 4 tablespoons of milk and whisk until you get a smooth consistency.  If your frosting is still too thick, add in an additional tablespoon of milk.  
  • Take your saucepan off the heat and whisk in the corn syrup and vanilla extract.
  • Pour your warm fudge frosting over the top of the warm cake and allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.  Enjoy!

Video

Notes

If I find that my powdered sugar is too clumpy, I'll alternate 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk and whisk well. Then add an additional cup of sugar with milk and whisk well. Do this until all of your powdered sugar is incorporated.  You can also use a sifter to break up large clumps of powdered sugar.