Texas Turtle Sheet Cake: A Decadent Delight

A rich, moist Texas sheet cake loaded with chocolate, caramel, pecans, and a warm fudgy icing that melts right into the cake.
It’s over-the-top, nostalgic, and absolutely irresistible.


Ingredients

For the Cake

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

For the Turtle Layers

  • 1½ cups chopped pecans, toasted
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Warm Chocolate Icing

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

Instructions

1. Toast the Pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 7–8 minutes, until fragrant.
Set aside.


2. Make the Cake

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour and sugar.
  2. In a saucepan, bring butter, water, and cocoa powder to a boil.
  3. Pour the hot mixture over the flour sugar mixture — stir to combine.
  4. Add sour cream, eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
  5. Mix until smooth.
  6. Pour into a greased 13×18-inch sheet pan (or regular 9×13 for thicker cake).
  7. Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

3. Add the Turtle Goodness

While the cake is still warm:

  • Drizzle caramel sauce over the top
  • Sprinkle toasted pecans
  • Add chocolate chips

The heat from the cake will melt the chocolate slightly — perfect!


4. Make the Warm Icing

  1. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa.
  2. Add milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar + vanilla.
  4. Pour immediately over the warm cake.

It will melt into the toppings and create that classic fudgy shine.


⭐ Tips for the BEST Texas Turtle Cake

  • Use sour cream, not yogurt — richer, moister cake.
  • Pour icing while cake is warm — it absorbs beautifully.
  • Sprinkle a little sea salt over caramel for a gourmet touch.
  • Double the caramel for extra gooeyness (viral trick!).

❤️ Perfect For

  • Birthdays
  • Holidays
  • Potlucks
  • Sunday dessert
  • OLD-SCHOOL viral content
  • Huge family gatherings

Enjoy !!

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