This Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a decadent twist on the classic Texas Sheet Cake, packed with gooey caramel bits and topped with a rich, thin layer of chocolate icing that’s simply irresistible. Perfect for feeding a crowd or indulging solo, this cake is loaded with flavor and texture—soft, moist cake, buttery icing, and sweet caramel surprises in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or craving something sweet, this cake is sure to impress!
Prep Time
- 15 minutes
Cook Time
- 20–25 minutes
Cooling Time
- 15 minutes
Total Time
- 50 minutes
Servings
- 12–16 servings
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup black coffee (hot)
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup caramel bits (or chopped soft caramels)
For the Chocolate Icing:
- 4 tablespoons buttermilk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) .
- Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium saucepan, combine the hot black coffee and cocoa powder. Stir until the cocoa dissolves completely. Add the butter and heat over medium-low heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and granulated sugar.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and buttermilk together. Add this mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until combined.
- Gradually pour the melted butter-cocoa-coffee mixture into the batter, stirring until smooth.
- Fold in the caramel bits (or chopped caramels) gently, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes , or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Icing
- While the cake is baking, make the icing. In a small saucepan, combine the buttermilk, cocoa powder, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing is smooth and glossy.
Step 5: Ice the Cake
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm icing over the hot cake. Use a spatula to spread the icing evenly, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.