The Best Gluten-Free Texas Sheet Cake – Chocolate and Pecans
Chocolate Cake, Frosting and Pecans... need I say more?
This delicious Gluten-Free Texas Sheet Cake is an easy recipe for any celebration. It’s a rich chocolate sheet cake with sour cream and a wonderful chocolate frosting glaze poured over it and studded with chopped pecans. Your whole family will love it!
The Classic Texas Sheet Cake recipe is meant to be made in an 18 x 13 pan, but you can also make a thicker cake in a 9×13 pan. The baking time will be a little longer. This chocolatey cake is simply delightful, no matter what you call it. It has a deep chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder and sour cream and has the yummiest rich chocolate frosting! This is a perfect cake for special occasions. As far as a chocolate gluten-free sheet cake recipe goes, this is a winner!
If you are wondering where the Famous Texas Sheet Cake Recipe originated, it seems to have sprung from chocolate cake and brownie recipes in the early 20th century. I had difficulty finding out how Texas claimed it as its own. Nevertheless, it will be a delicious and decadent addition to your gluten-free baking repertoire. My husband and I ate two pieces each last night, and we had to throw them out, or we would eat the whole cake. It’s that good!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
KID FRIENDLY – Chocolaty Sheet Cake that’s so easy to make!
GLUTEN-FREE – Easy Gluten-Free Sheet Cake Recipe
GREAT CAKE FOR POTLUCKS AND PARTIES
CHOCOLATE FROSTING GLAZE HAS RICH CHOCOLATE FLAVOR
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need simple ingredients to make this delicious gluten-free chocolate sheet cake recipe.
Ingredients for Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake:
1 cup butter
½ cup cocoa powder
2 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (we used Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free below)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs plus one egg yolk
Ingredients for Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
8 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (for topping)
Ingredient Notes
We used Guittard Cocoa Powder
We used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour with xanthan gum
How To Make Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake – Step by Step
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 18×13 inch baking pan.
Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cocoa powder until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Mix gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda in a separate bowl.
Slowly add the cooled butter and cocoa mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.
Mix 1 cup of sour cream, vanilla extract, and eggs into the cake batter until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps.
Transfer the batter to the baking pan and spread it out smoothly. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.
While the cake is baking, make the frosting by melting 1/2 cup of butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and eight tablespoons of heavy cream. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
Once the cake is baked and slightly cooled, pour the frosting over the warm cake and spread evenly with a spatula. The frosting will set up as the cake cools.
Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans on top of the frosting for decoration.
Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Texas sheet cake with pecans!
Tips
Be careful not to over bake the cake. Use a toothpick test for doneness.
Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it with a knife so you do not use too much flour, which results in a dry cake.
Storage
Store the gluten-free chocolate sheet cake in an airtight container on the counter for two to three days.
Additions and Substitutions
You can omit the pecans if you prefer a plain chocolate sheet cake.
Substitute pecans for chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gluten-Free Texas Sheet Cake
Why is my Gluten-Free Texas Sheet Cake dry?
It’s essential to spoon and level your flour so as not to use too much. The sour cream and egg ratio helps to keep the cake moist. Lastly, for best results, do not overbake. As soon as a toothpick is put in the center of the cake and comes out dry, remove the sheet cake from the oven. Spread the frosting glaze over the cake while it is still warm. It will set up as the cake cools.