This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
When a full Texas Sheet Cake is just too much cake this recipe for Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two is the answer!
Why is it called Texas Sheet Cake?
If you know anything about Texas, you know it is big! The saying “Everything is bigger in Texas” is true and this cake is traditionally made in a large jelly roll pan which is basically the size of Texas! It’s big and this cake feeds a crowd.
Today though, we are making a small batch version, just the right amount of chocolate cake for 2-4 people.
If you want a full size recipe, my Texas Sheet Cake recipe can be found here.
Ingredients Needed
- Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Butter. I use salted butter but if using unsalted butter add in a pinch of salt.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Egg yolk
- Buttermilk (see below for substitute)
- Baking soda
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or whipping cream
- Powdered Sugar
How to Make A Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two
You will need a small bowl and a small sauce pan to mix up your cake batter.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl.
- In the small saucepan add hot water (just out of the tap), cocoa and butter. Stir to melt and combine and bring to a boil.
- Pour this mixture over the flour mixture ands stir to combine.
- Into the mixture add in egg yolk, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla.
- Pour the cake batter into a greased 9 x 7″ baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Don’t over bake this cake! Because it is a thin cake over baking it will quickly dry it out.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven prepare the frosting.
How to Frost a Chocolate Sheet Cake
- In a small sauce pan over medium heat combine butter, milk, cocoa, powdered sugar and stir until butter melts and ingredients combine to form a smooth frosting. Do not let it boil, this will make a grainy frosting. The frosting should be “runny”.
- Pour hot frosting over the hot cake. This is the secret to Texas Sheet Cake and what turns the frosting into a fudge like consistency on the cake.
- Allow the frosting to set up and slice into 4-6 pieces depending on how many people you are serving.
Tips from Leigh Anne
How to Cut a Sheet Cake:
My favorite way to cut a sheet cake or any bar cookie with frosting on top is with a plastic disposable knife. You will get a nice clean cut and the frosting won’t build up on the knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Texas Sheet Cake different?
This cake is the perfect cake for chocolate lovers. It is a thin layer of tender, moist chocolate cake covered with a fudge like chocolate frosting. The warm frosting is poured onto warm cake causing the frosting to develop a fudge like consistency.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use 1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk. This recipe only uses 1 1/2 Tbsp of buttermilk so add just 1/4 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar to that amount of milk.
What if I don’t have a 9×7 baking pan?
If you don’t have this size pan you can use an 8×8 baking dish.
Next time you are craving chocolate and the fudginess of a Texas Sheet Cake make yourself a Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two!
For some of my other small batch desserts check out:
You can find all my small batch recipes here.
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 heaping Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 Tbsp buttermilk
- 1/4 cup hot water out of the tap
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Frosting
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 Tbsp milk I use whipping cream but can also use buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Cake Batter
- Mix together flour, sugar and salt in a small mixing bowl.
- In a small sauce pan combine butter, cocoa and water. Stir until butter melts and mixture comes to a boil.
- Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Add in egg yolk, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 7 inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Frosting
- As soon as cake comes out of oven mix up frosting.
- In a small sauce pan combine butter ,milk, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
- Stir until butter melts and ingredients are combined. Frosting will be thin. Do not allow it to boil.
- Add in vanilla.
- Pour hot frosting over hot cake out of the oven.
- Spread to cover cake.
Tips & Notes:
- If you don’t have a 9 x 7 inch baking pan use an 8 x 8 inch pan.
- Don’t overbake the sheet cake, it will dry out
- Always frost the cake while it is still hot. The frosting will turn fudgy and delicious.
Use a plastic disposable knife to cut the cake for a nice clean cut.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Facts:
Sherryl Owen says
Delicious. And perfect size for us!
Gretchen says
Is there a substitute for the buttermilk?
Some recipes use sour cream?
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
If all you have is regular milk, add a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar to it to make buttermilk.
Gretchen says
Thank you for the tip!
Jay says
Why not use the whole egg?
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
It makes the cake taste too eggy.