Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake

A Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a delicious dessert featuring a combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans. Here’s an easy recipe for making this classic Texas treat:

Ingredients:

FOR THE CAKE:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE TOPPING:

• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 cup caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make the Cake:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Prepare the Butter Mixture:
   • In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter. Add water and cocoa powder, and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Pour the hot butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Add Eggs and Buttermilk:
   • Add the lightly beaten eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract to the batter. Mix until smooth.
6. Bake:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Make the Frosting:
   • In the last few minutes of baking, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter. Stir in cocoa powder and milk. Bring the mixture to a boil.
8. Combine with Powdered Sugar:
   • Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
9. Frost the Cake:
   • Immediately pour the warm frosting over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Spread the frosting evenly.
10. Top with Pecans and Caramel:
    • Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the frosting. Drizzle caramel sauce on top.
11. Cool and Serve:
    • Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting it into squares and serving.

This Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a delightful combination of moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate frosting, pecans, and gooey caramel. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, and its easy preparation makes it a great choice for potlucks or family gatherings. Enjoy!