Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting

Total time1 hr 5 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time25 min

Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting

This sheet cake keeps things classic: a rich cocoa batter gets poured hot straight from the saucepan into the pan, baked until just set, then drenched in a warm, pecan-studded frosting that soaks into the top while everything is still hot. Buttermilk and a touch of vanilla keep the crumb soft and deeply chocolatey, while the frosting — thick with butter, cocoa, and toasted pecan crunch — sets into a glossy, fudgy layer as it cools. It's an all-in-one-pan dessert built for a crowd, cut into big squares straight from the sheet. The technique of pouring frosting over a still-warm cake is what gives this version its signature soft, almost molten texture underneath a slightly set top. It's a great pick for a gluten free dessert table, no fuss, no fancy equipment, just a wooden spoon and a sheet pan.

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Ingredients

24 servings

For the cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
King Arthur Baking Company Gluten-Free Measure For Measure Flour Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour Pillsbury Best Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend - 24 Oz Bob's Red Mill Baking Flour, 1 to 1, Gluten Free King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour
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Chef's tip
Choose a gluten-free baking blend labeled 1:1 or cup-for-cup and use the same amount. Almond and coconut flour won't work the same way.
2 cups granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 large eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
⅓ cup whole milk
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 18×13-inch rimmed half-sheet pan with butter or nonstick spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking soda until combined. Set aside.

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