This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you! Read our disclosure policy
This classic White Texas Sheet Cake recipe is a moist and delicious cake with a sweet glaze topping and crushed walnuts. Great for serving a crowd and special occasions, this dessert is packed with sweet Southern flavor!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!SAVE
Next time you’re craving something comforting and sweet, this white sheet cake is easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Table of Contents
View more
Why This Recipe Works
This traditional Texas sheet cake is an easy dessert recipe for any occasion, featuring a sweet homemade icing and a moist vanilla base.
Packed with classic comforting flavors, this is a foolproof dessert that will be a hit with any crowd! Everyone will love the amazingly moist cake and vanilla frosting.
And for even more cake recipes, try my Traditional Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake or these Gooey Butter Cake Bars.
Ingredients Needed
- Unsalted Butter
- All-Purpose Flour: I have only tested this using all purpose flour.
- Granulated Sugar: This is the same as regular white sugar.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cake take on a nice fluffy texture.
- Salt
- Sour Cream: Gives the cake a bit of tangy flavor and helps keep it moist.
- Eggs: Room temperature recommended.
- Clean Vanilla Extract: You can use regular vanilla extract, but clear extract will help preserve the white color of the cake.
- Milk
- Confectioner’s Sugar: Also called powdered sugar.
- Almond Extract: You can also use vanilla extract for the frosting, but almond extract helps give it a warm and nutty flavor.
- Walnuts: A crunchy topping that adds texture to the cake.
How to Make this White Texas Sheet Cake
- Step 1: Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Whisk in the water, boil for 30 seconds, and remove from heat to cool.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt).
- Step 3: Pour the butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir.
- Step 4: Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter.
- Step 5: Pour sheet cake batter into a greased cake pan and smooth out with a spatula. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Step 6: While the cake bakes, melt the butter for the icing in a large saucepan. Add milk and whisk until combined.
- Step 7: Add 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar at a time, whisking to mix in each time.
- Step 8: Repeat this process until all of the sugar is incorporated, then mix in almond extract.
- Step 9: Remove from heat and stir half the chopped walnuts into the icing.
- Step 10: Pour the frosting over the warm cake and spread out evenly, then top with the other half of the walnuts.
Recipe Tips
- Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for about an hour so the icing has time to cool and set.
- If you don’t have clear vanilla, regular extract can be used. It will just make the white cake a little bit darker.
- Don’t pour in all the powdered sugar at once when making your icing! Adding 1 cup at a time results in a lighter and brighter icing.
- The frosting will set up fairly quickly as you spread it, so start at the corners and then pour the rest in the middle to ensure you get an even spread.
- If you don’t like walnuts, you can use pecans or almonds instead.
- Another option, instead of nuts is to use fresh berries. Make this a strawberry sheet cake by slicing strawberries in half and adding them to the frosting as it sets.
- Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for a day or so or transferred to an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days.
