Lemon Texas sheet cake is perfect for feeding a tasty dessert to a crowd. It is so easy to make and has just the right amount of lemon flavor. Take it to your next BBQ, family reunion or potluck!
This lovely sheet cake is bursting with lemony citrus flavor. It is perfect for feeding a crowd.
The batter is made in a saucepan just like the chocolate Texas sheet cake we all know and love. But this version is brighter and tastes so fresh. Make one and see for yourself!
Did you know that Texas Sheet Cakes can come in other flavors than chocolate? It’s true! I know that chocolate is the traditional version everyone knows and loves, but the possibilities don’t have to end there.
In fact there are a ton of flavors you could make. Now I do have a variety of jelly roll sheet cakes on the blog. There’s the Elvis version with banana, peanut butter and bacon.
There’s the banana with salted caramel cream cheese frosting and both of those are amazing. But MiMi says they are NOT Texas sheet cakes.
You see she has rules for what qualifies and what doesn’t. In her world, obviously it has to be baked in the half sheet jelly roll pan to feed a Texas sized crowd.
You might think that’s the qualifier, but the rules according to MiMi don’t end there. No sirree!
In addition to the size, the batter also has to be made with the boiling water and butter. That is her favorite part of sheet cake recipes, not having to think ahead and letting things soften!
So with that in mind, this lemon sheet cake is a true Texas sheet cake.
That is if MiMi is the one that makes the rules.
And she normally is!
That is why she used that method to make her chocolate chip cookie dough sheet cake, one of her most popular original recipes! Honestly, the ease of putting these cakes together is a big draw.
The frosting is just as easy to make. Even better, pouring warm frosting over a warm cake means it practically frosts itself and keeps the cake so moist and delicious.
So go ahead and whip yourself up a lemon Texas sheet cake for your next party. Maybe a white Texas sheet cake and a chocolate peanut butter one too while you’re at it. I mean they are easy, delicious and fun to share!
What are your favorite Texas sheet cake flavors? Or maybe there’s a flavor you’d like to see made into a sheet cake? That might be a fun challenge!
Why is it called Texas sheet cake?
The exact origins of the recipe and the name are unknown. But most people say it’s named that because the large size and everything is bigger in Texas!
How do I store Texas sheet cake?
As with most cakes, this cake is best within a couple of days of the time it is made. However, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!
Lemon Texas Sheet Cake
This lovely sheet cake is bursting with lemony citrus flavor. It is perfect for feeding a crowd. The batter is made in a saucepan just like the chocolate Texas sheet cake we all know and love. But this version is brighter and tastes so fresh. Make one and see for yourself!
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup minus 2 Tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/3 teaspoons lemon extract
Icing
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Cake
- Grease a 13X18-inch jelly roll pan and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir until completely combined.
- In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and eggs.
- Place butter, water, lemon rind, lemon juice in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Add the hot butter mixture to the flour mixture and stir well. Stir in sour cream, lemon extract, and egg mixture until well combined. Pour into the prepared jelly roll pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 17-20 minutes or until it tests done. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes while you make the icing.
Icing
- Combine the butter, and milk in a sauce pan. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture just starts to boil. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon extract.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, stirring the mixture until it reaches a good consistency for spreading.
- After the cake has cooled for 20 minutes, spread the warm icing on the cake. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
36Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 1g
All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.
AC
Thursday 9th of March 2023
Question: 1 ⅓ tsp is listed under the cake ingredients, but I do not see where it is added. Does it go in to sauce pan with the other "Lemon" items and is part of the mixture that is to be boiled.
Carlee
Thursday 9th of March 2023
I usually add it at the end with the sour cream and eggs.
Bambi
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
The recipe states to mix the sour cream and eggs, but gives no further instruction as to when it should be incorporated into the rest of the ingredients.
Carlee
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
You are right, it is not very clear. Sorry about that. Hopefully it makes more sense now.
Melissa @ Melclaire
Wednesday 27th of September 2017
I love Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake and this one looks just as delicious! PINNED-Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy this week!
Carlee
Wednesday 27th of September 2017
I grew up on chocolate Texas sheet cake and my grandma's house so it is full of fond memories for me, but it is fun to switch it up every once in a while!
Amy (Savory Moments)
Monday 25th of September 2017
I wondered about Texas sheet cakes before and your Mimi's rules work for me! I really enjoy lemon baked goods and this cake looks delicious!
Carlee
Wednesday 27th of September 2017
What MiMi says goes! ;-) Thank you!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Friday 22nd of September 2017
I had always wondered what made the "Texas" part of the sheet cake! Thanks for clearing that up! I have to try your recipe. Lemon 3 ways has me so intrigued!
Carlee
Wednesday 27th of September 2017
Ha! Good, it's best if you keep it that way ;-)
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Saturday 23rd of September 2017
I would never argue, and it works for me!
Carlee
Saturday 23rd of September 2017
Well now you know MiMi's rules anyway!