Chocolate cake is definitely in my Top 5 favorite desserts. This gluten-free Texas Sheet cake is one of my favorites! Moist, deep dark chocolate cake is topped with my favorite chocolate fudge frosting to make this gluten-free version of Texas Sheet Cake. I’ve been making the regular version of this Texas Sheet cake for many years and was happy to see that it turns out just as delicious when using a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Texas Sheet Cake is the perfect potluck dessert. You make it in a huge rimmed half sheet pan (13″x18″x1″), also known as a jelly roll pan. The pan I love is this Nordic Ware Baker’s Half Sheet with Storage Lid, 13 by 18 Inch.
Because of the large pan, this makes a thin cake. You can also cut the pieces small if you want to serve a large crowd, but we like them nice and big with a glass of milk or scoop of ice cream. Everywhere I bring this people can’t get enough and I always come home with an empty pan!
To make this cake and frosting have a deep, dark brown color, I like to use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa for half of the cocoa called for in the recipe. You can see my post about gluten-free baking cocoa and chocolate here. You can use whatever cocoa you prefer or have on hand, I just wanted you to know how to get that dark color!
I’ve also posted this recipe adapted as cupcakes and as “Love Cakes” for Valentines! Happy Baking!
Texas Sheet Cake {Gluten-free}
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend*
- 1 tsp. xanthan gum (omit if using a flour blend that contains xanthan)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I use part Hershey's Dark Cocoa, and part regular cocoa)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 c. buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Fudge Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I use 1/4 cup Hershey's Dark Cocoa, and 1/4 cup regular cocoa)
- 3 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 7 Tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions
- Spray jelly roll pan (15"x9"x1" pan) with cooking oil.
- In your mixing bowl, combine flour, xanthan gum, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, and 1 cup water. Bring just to boiling, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and add to dry ingredients, beat until combined.
- Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla to mixing bowl and beat for one minute on low-medium speed.
- Pour batter into greased pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into cake will come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
- Place pan on a cooling rack to cool.
Fudge Frosting:
- Using a medium glass bowl, melt the stick of butter in microwave. Whisk in cocoa powder, then heat for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar and milk alternately, beating with a hand mixer until creamy. Add vanilla last, beating in until mixed well. While still warm, pour frosting over the hot cake. Work quickly to gently spread to cover.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting. You can refrigerate to speed up the process.
Recipe Notes
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Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Chocolate heaven right here!
Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
You got it! I won’t admit how much of this sheet cake I ate this week!
Adele says
Definitely giving this a try! Not too many ingredients either plus it’s chocolate… Mmmm, melt!
Mary Renee says
Ok, I REALLY wanted to love this cake.
But, something went massively wrong and I’m not sure what!! 🙁
It was so thick and springy just as a batter. Is that normal?
Seriously, when I was mixing it, it kept growing up the mixers like a bad science experiment come to life. It was pretty comical. lol
I used a cup for cup flour that already contained xantham and as I had no buttermilk on hand, I did the regular milk with vinegar substitution. That was my only difference, but I don’t think it would make that much of a difference.
Yours looks fantastic and I really want to make it again. Any suggestions?
Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Mary,
The only two times I’ve had something like what you are describing happen, I stood there shaking my head wondering what in the world?! Then I tasted the batter and realized I had completely forgotten the sugar! If that happens, you have to toss it and start over. Could that have been what happened to you? It is important that the sugar is in there with the other dry ingredients when you add the liquid. The sugar will liquify then helping make a more runny batter.
The only other thing is if you used a flour blend with coconut in it. The coconut flour really absorbs the liquids and you end up with a much more solid batter. It still turns out okay once baked though.
Hope you’ll try it again Mary!
Mary Renee says
Nope, I added the sugar. The taste was fine, the consistency was just off. The flour I use is a rice flour/cornstarch/tapioca mix. It’s done well with all the other breads and sweets I’ve made.
I did realize that I made a total rookie mistake and used baking powder instead of soda. I’m hoping that that is the major factor.
I’m going to make a half batch here in a little bit. I’ll let you know if that changes anything. 🙂
Jen G says
I had the same problem. I used my own brown rice, tap and potato starch mix and also used vinegar to sour my milk. It tastes OK but it’s a little gummy/chewy. I was wondering if it could be too much xanthan gum but now I’m wondering if it has something to do with the vinegar.
Norma Jean Stapleton says
When I bake with a rice flour blend , it tends to be more gummy,chewy also.
Linda billingsley says
Do you have a yellow cake gf recipe? Thank you.
Judy says
We have always loved this cake for many years. Especially with chopped nuts on top! Thank you for sharing this! Recently our diets have changed and now I need to know if I can substitute coconut palm sugar for the regular sugar?
Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Judy,
Chopped nuts on top is totally great for this!
I haven’t tried using coconut palm sugar in this recipe, but I do think it would work. Give it a try and let me know!
Susan says
I’m not an expert here but I’ve baked with all the flours you mentioned. The almond flour gives the cake a sponge like texture. I have a wonderful coconut cake recipe with white chocolate and whipped cream frosting that uses the almond flour I believe that’s what went wrong with some of the cakes. I use King Arthur’s gluten free flour and never have a problem with my cakes turning out. If a recipe calls for coconut flour I’d advise you to use it at first then see if it turns out to your liking. I can even see it in the photograph that’s pictured of the cake. I don’t like baking with the dutch processed chocolate unless it’s called for in a recipe. it can have a different taste and look. I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ll try it and let you know how it turns out. I have to wait until I have a big event though. Too much cake for me. I’d eat too much of it.
Liz says
I have made this cake twice now with gluten free bisquick and it turns out amazing. I’ve used both sour cream and buttermilk and both are fabulous. It is my favorite gluten free cake. It is just like my Grandma used to make. I’d like to cut back on the sugar but haven’t been brave enough to try it yet since everyte me I make it, it is for a party.
Lori Kaumans says
Could you use Swerve or erythritol instead of sugar?
Betty says
Ah-mazing! Absolutely awesome cake. Makes a huge amount but my family is t complaining 🙂
Catherine Davis says
Hi! I am looking for a recipe to use for a banquet and I have a quick question. Can you use Bob mill’s GG Flour? Will it turn out well? If so, this is definitely the recipe for me.
Catherine Davis says
Or even coconut flour?
Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Catherine, I’m not crazy about the performance of Bob’s Red Mill’s flour, and also don’t recommend it because it isn’t certified gluten-free. Good flour blends that should work well here are Gluten Free Mama’s, Cup4Cup, or Pamela’s. Definitely don’t use coconut flour or a blend with coconut flour, as it really absorbs the liquids and will affect the texture.
I recommend baking a test cake before the event you need to bring it to so you can make sure the blend you use works fine for it!
Kay-M says
I used the Bob’s Red Mill flour (1 to 1 – with the blue label) – and EVERYONE (even those that eat gluten items all the time)was raving at how good it was. My granddaughter is gluten-intolerant (not celiac), and LOVES this cake – even without the frosting!! This will be my go-to recipe from now on!!! THANK YOU so much for posting this!!!!!!!
And a great place to buy this flour is at Sam’s Club. I only pay $8.48 for 5 pounds!!
Caroline says
I’m always skeptical of GF recipes that boast of being as good as regular flour recipes, BUT this was really good! I used King Arthur GF All Purpose Flour. I made one batch as written and one with bittersweet chocolate chips added into in the cake batter. Both were really good, but in a side by side taste test the one with the chocolate chips edged out the original. I took this to a big family party where no one but myself was GF and everyone loved them! The only thing I might try next time is reducing the sugar a little. Thanks for sharing!!
Laura B says
I used King Arthur Flour’s Measure for Measure, which is my go to for all GF cooking and baking. Turned out perfectly!
Cheryl says
But where’s the cinnamon? I know some people have nut allergies, but where’re the nuts? I know, I know, I can add them but that was always my favorite part about the Texas sheet cake of my long ago youth ????
Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Yes, feel free to add cinnamon and nuts!