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There’s something undeniably indulgent about a Texas Turtle Sheet Cake. This dessert, rich in flavor and decadence, is a delightful iteration of the classic Texas turtle treat. Featuring a moist chocolate and coffee-infused cake topped with a luxurious buttermilk chocolate icing, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, and pecans, this cake is a must-try. If you haven’t experienced the glory of a Texas turtle cake yet, this is the perfect recipe to start with. Trust us, it’s a flavor explosion that will leave you craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. The combination of coffee and chocolate creates a deep, rich flavor profile, while the buttermilk ensures a moist, tender crumb. The decadent icing and toppings add layers of texture and sweetness that balance perfectly with the cake’s richness. Whether you’re making it from scratch or using a store-bought mix for convenience, this cake is guaranteed to impress.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer
- Saucepan
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Whisk
- Toothpick or fork
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups baking flour
- 1 cup of butter
- 1 cup strong black coffee
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Chocolate Icing:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 tablespoons of buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Turtle Filling:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce, to baste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the baking flour and granulated sugar. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of butter, 1 cup of coffee, and 1/3 cup of cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a hand mixer to blend at medium speed until well combined. Add eggs and 1/2 cup buttermilk, and continue blending for about a minute until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- For the icing, in a medium saucepan, mix 1/4 cup butter, 4 tablespoons buttermilk, and 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar, half a cup at a time, until smooth.
- Spread or pour the hot icing over the warm cake. Immediately sprinkle the chopped pecans and chocolate chips on top, then drizzle with caramel sauce.
Tips for Success
- Ensure your coffee is strong to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Mix the icing quickly to prevent it from hardening before spreading it on the cake.
- Sprinkle toppings while the icing is warm so they adhere better.
Additional Tips and Variations
- Substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred.
- Try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the cake batter for a warm spice note.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
This cake is a treat, and while it’s rich in sugars and fats, it’s perfect for special occasions. Enjoy in moderation!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I make this cake in advance?
A: Yes, this cake can be made a day ahead. Store it covered at room temperature.
Q: Can I freeze this cake?
A: Absolutely, freeze the cake without icing for up to two months. Add icing and toppings when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a showstopper dessert that promises to delight your taste buds. With its rich chocolate flavor and indulgent toppings, it’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or any special occasion. Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your delicious creations with us in the comments!
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What size pan does this take? It does not state what size to you in the instructions.
It is a sheet cake, so sheet cake pan would be my bet
11 X. 15
Is the coffee dry granules or one cup already made coffe
1cup of strong coffee. That would tell it was liquid
What size pan do you use?
great cake. I had moved and had lost my recipe.
Can other flours be used?
Is it “cake” flour?
what if you have no butter milk
Honestly with a full cup of butter I don’t think it matters. I would use regular milk
Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the milk to turn it into buttermilk.
Never heard of baking flour. Help?
Put a little vinegar in your reg milk to substitute for butter milk or sour milk
Is Baking flour the same as Self-raising flour?
Is it my imagination or does the picture not have any pecans, chocolate chips or caramel sauce?
That’s what I (don’t) see!
It says turtle filling. Maybe it goes on the cake before the frosting.
The picture doesn’t show any nuts????
Is this dry coffee and cocoa or with liquid in them?
No baking soda or baking powder? Pic and cake don’t appear to be the same?
Should cake be refrigerated?
Looks really good. đź‘Ź
Directions are incomplete !!
Size of Pan ???
When do you add nuts and Carmel? The recipe calls it filling and the directions puts it on top of the frosting????
What kind of flour ? Self rising ???
I think baking flour is cake flour which. Your grocery store should have. It on shelf.
This is for a sheet cake pan or cookie sheet that has higher edges than normal. You have to put buttermilk in this cake or it will fall and not be good. I would pour half of cake mix in the pan, then add the nuts and carmel. Pour the rest of the cake over the nuts and carmel and cook @ 325 degrees. If you bake this @ 350 it will burn because of it being thin. Not like a regular cake. I use King Albert flour. It’s light and perfect. The recipe does not call for baking powder, but you need one teaspoon of soda. Combine the buttermilk and soda, then add to cake. If you use regular milk your cake won’t come out perfect. I would go to the grocery store, get the correct ingredients, then go home and make the cake.
I looked on Pinterest and found several recipes the one I found with the same ingredients said self rising flour, and you could use a 9×13 pan or a jelly roll pan but line it with parchment paper, also the temperature to bake it at was 350. To make regular milk buttermilk for half a cup add 2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice and let it set a few minutes before you add it to the rest of the ingredients. Hope this helps.
It drives me crazy when the picture does not match the recipe. I’ve been doing this for 60 plus years. ?I can see that before i start but, what about new bakers?
It states to add pecans and caramel sauce last on top of the icing.