White Texas Sheet Cake for Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for a simple yet crowd-pleasing dessert, this White Texas Sheet Cake is the answer! With its soft, buttery texture and rich almond flavor, this cake is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. It bakes up in a single sheet pan, making it great for potlucks, holidays, or casual get-togethers. Top it with a smooth, sweet glaze and your choice of sprinkles or nuts for a dessert that’s as delicious as it is effortless.

Let’s be honest: we all know how hard it can be to find a dessert that is sure to please an entire crowd. It has to have that right balance of being delicious but also something easy enough that you don’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen. Thankfully, I have just the recipe for you!

Yes, my friends, today we’re whipping up a delicious white Texas sheet cake. I don’t know about you, but traditional Texas sheet cake (the chocolate variety) was a dessert staple in my family. While I have yet to share that recipe (this post reminded me that I should), I have shared my recipe for Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake, which is still one of my favorites!

As you can see, I gave my sheet cake a Valentine’s Day spin. But, you could easily customize this dessert by adding whatever sprinkles fit the occasion—or skipping them altogether. There is no right or wrong when it comes to white Texas sheet cake!

And speaking of Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for more love-inspired treats, you can find a collection of my Valentine favorites here.

What is Texas sheet cake?

The day I was making this, I was talking to a friend who told me he’d never heard of Texas sheet cake. I found that interesting, so I did a little research, and it turns out that the origin of it is a bit of a mystery.

Apparently, there is some connection to a similar dessert known as German chocolate cake. (Some day, I also need to share a recipe for that; it’s yummy, too!)

People seem to like Texas sheet cake because it requires fewer steps and less time and clean-up. Plus, it’s a large cake. If desired, you could cut it into smaller pieces and serve even more than 24.

Speaking of, perhaps it’s called Texas sheet cake because it makes a cake big enough to serve a crowd the size of Texas! But that’s part of the beauty of this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This cake is quick and easy to make. Texas sheet cakes are known for their simple preparation, and this white version is no exception. With no need for complicated layering or extensive decorating, you can have a delicious homemade cake ready in no time.
• Baked in a large sheet pan, this cake makes enough for a party, a potluck, or just for sharing with family and friends. If you need to serve even more, cutting the pieces smaller can stretch it even further.
• Thanks to the combination of butter, sour cream, and almond extract, this cake has a wonderfully moist texture and a delicate, slightly nutty sweetness. The almond glaze adds an extra touch of indulgence, making each bite absolutely irresistible.
• Whether you dress it up with festive sprinkles, add chopped nuts, or leave it plain, this cake is as versatile as it is delicious. Swap out the decorations to match different celebrations, or keep it simple for a classic and elegant dessert.

Ingredients

The ingredient list for this White Texas Cake is fairly simple, and all items you likely already have in your pantry.

• All-purpose flour – The base of the cake, giving it structure while keeping it light and tender. A pantry staple that ensures a soft yet sturdy texture.
• Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a beautifully moist crumb. It also plays a role in the cake’s golden color as it bakes.
• Baking powder – Works alongside baking soda to help the cake rise, ensuring a soft and airy texture.
• Kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of the cake and balances out the sweetness, preventing it from tasting flat.
• Baking soda – Reacts with the sour cream to give the cake a gentle lift, helping create a soft and tender bite.
• Unsalted butter – Adds rich flavor and moisture to both the cake and the frosting, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Water – A simple ingredient that helps dissolve the butter and sugar, ensuring a smooth and even batter.
• Eggs – Provide structure and richness, helping bind everything together while contributing to the cake’s soft and fluffy texture.
• Sour cream – The secret to an extra moist and tender cake, adding a slight tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
• Almond extract – Infuses the cake with a warm, nutty aroma that sets this white Texas sheet cake apart from traditional vanilla cakes.

Of course, a big part of why this cake is so delicious is the frosting. To whip up a batch of frosting, you’ll need:

• Unsalted butter – The base of the frosting, creating a smooth, creamy glaze that soaks slightly into the warm cake.
• Whole milk – Helps thin out the frosting while adding richness and a silky consistency.
• Confectioners’ sugar – Also known as powdered sugar, it dissolves easily to create a smooth, luscious frosting without any graininess.
• Almond extract – Brings out the signature almond flavor, complementing the cake and making the frosting extra special.
• Kosher salt – Just a touch enhances the frosting’s sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
• Chopped walnuts or sprinkles – A final flourish that adds crunch, color, and customization, making the cake perfect for any occasion.

How to Make

I’ll walk you through the steps for making this White Texas Sheet Cake below, but I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. First, mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and then turn to the stovetop to prepare your wet ingredients.In fact, I think cooking some of the ingredients for both the cake and frosting is what makes this recipe taste a bit different from a standard cake.
2. Water and butter are brought to a boil and then added to the dry ingredients, along with sour cream, eggs, and almond extract.

3. All of that gets poured into a large lined sheet pan, baked in the oven, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes.
4. Next, a frosting glaze is made from confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, and milk and spread all over the warm cake.

5. Then, a handful of colorful Valentine’s Day sprinkles for the perfect finishing touch (or whatever kind of sprinkles match the occasion).

And that’s it! Our White Texas Sheet Cake is complete and ready to be devoured! If you love a dessert that’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and delivers on flavor, then this is for you.

This buttery, almond-kissed cake is soft, tender, and topped with a smooth, sweet glaze that seeps just enough into the cake to make every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know all about how to make this tasty treat, let me address a few questions I get about this dessert.

Should Texas sheet cake be stored in the fridge?

No, you don’t need to store your Texas sheet cake in the fridge. The frosting is stable enough to keep it at room temperature for up to four days.

That being said, some people prefer the taste of sheet cake cold. I also find that the cake is moister when stored in the fridge, so that’s my preference. Just make sure to wrap it up before you place it in the fridge.

Can I make this sheet cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! It’s actually a great dessert to make ahead of time because it allows the flavors to meld together and become even more delicious.

Once your cake is baked, cooled, and frosted, you can store it in an airtight container for up to four days. Make sure to wrap it if you plan on storing it in the fridge, as the cream cheese frosting can lose its texture if exposed to too much cold air.

More Sweet Treats You Will Love

• My Favorite Valentine’s Day Treats
• Ombré Frosted Cookie Bars
• Surprise-Inside Cupcakes
• No-Bake Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecakes
• Cinnamon Sugar Cake

There’s just something about a white Texas sheet cake that makes it a must-have for any gathering. It’s simple, satisfying, and the kind of dessert that brings people together—whether it’s a special occasion or just a regular Tuesday. I hope you try baking this recipe. I think you’ll enjoy it! If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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White Texas Sheet Cake

This White Texas Sheet Cake is a delightful way to serve a sweet treat to a crowd. And, dressed up with colorful sprinkles, it becomes a special dessert for Valentine’s Day!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake, texas sheet cake, valentine’s day, white cake

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 people

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Chopped walnuts or sprinkles to garnish

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 15x10x1-inch sheet pan with baking spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
• Then in a small saucepan, add the butter and water. Bring to a boil and quickly remove from heat. Stir the hot liquid into the flour mixture.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and almond extract until smooth. Pour that into the flour mixture and stir until smooth.
• Spread the batter in the prepared sheet pan. Baked 18-22 minutes until the cake is just golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.
• While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by combining the butter and milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, and salt. Spread the glaze over the warm cake and immediately top with sprinkles.

Notes

Note: Traditional Texas Sheet Cake is made with walnuts in the frosting. If you prefer, you can stir in 1 cup of chopped walnuts to the glaze before spreading it over the cake.