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1. Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and lightly flour the sheet pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and water, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring continuously. Remove from heat.
Pour the cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add this mixture to the batter, stirring until smooth.
3. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and spread it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack while you prepare the topping.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Frosting
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and milk. Heat the mixture until warm but not boiling.
Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth and thickened. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Assemble the Texas Turtle Sheet Cake
Pour the warm frosting over the slightly cooled cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting in a zigzag or swirl pattern.
Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans and chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution.
6. Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool completely to allow the frosting to set. For quicker cooling, place it in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.
Slice into squares or rectangles and serve. This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips for Success:
Homemade Caramel Sauce: If you’d like to make your own caramel sauce, combine ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and ¼ cup heavy cream in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Make it Extra Turtle-y: For even more indulgence, add a layer of caramel sauce and pecans between the cake and frosting.
This Texas Turtle Sheet Cake is a guaranteed hit for any gathering or family dinner. With its combination of moist chocolate cake, gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and melted chocolate chips, it’s a dessert everyone will come back for. Enjoy!
