Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

PinSaveJUMP to RECIPE

This post may contain affiliate links.

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies — These brownies are an EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that’s as fast as using a boxed mix! They turn out fudgy with ZERO cakiness. The frosting comes together in about 1 minute on the stove and you can add nuts if desired!

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies - Easy, FUDGY, no mixer brownies that are rich, chocolaty and decadent!! The classic Texas sheet cake frosting makes them totally IRRESISTIBLE!!

Frosted Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

Texas sheet cakes are something I rarely make because I never ‘need’ an enormous chocolate cake laying around.

Enter: an 8-inch pan of ultra fudgy brownies topped with Texas sheet cake frosting — which is a boiled cocoa powder frosting — and I’ve got the best of both worlds. I can fulfill my chocolate fix with a manageable pan size.

The brownies are an easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that’s as fast as using a boxed mix and they turn out fudgy with zero cakiness. The frosting comes together in about 1 minute on the stove (sometimes called 1-minute frosting) and you can add nuts if you prefer them on your Texas sheet cake.

It’s a brownie base I’ve fallen in love with because it’s easy and always delivers amazing results. Rich, decadent, and addicting!

Love Texas Sheet Cake?

Be sure to make my Classic Texas Sheet Cake and White Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake recipes as well!

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies - Easy, FUDGY, no mixer brownies that are rich, chocolaty and decadent!! The classic Texas sheet cake frosting makes them totally IRRESISTIBLE!!

Ingredients in Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

This Texas brownie recipe has two parts: the fudgy brownie base and the quick boiled chocolate frosting.

For the brownies:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Dark chocolate
  • Eggs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Brewed coffee (optional)
  • Instant espresso granules (optional)
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt

For the boiled frosting:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Milk
  • Cocoa powder
  • Confectioners’ sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Walnuts or pecans (optional)

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies - Easy, FUDGY, no mixer brownies that are rich, chocolaty and decadent!! The classic Texas sheet cake frosting makes them totally IRRESISTIBLE!!

How to Make Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

Making Texas sheet cake brownies with chocolate frosting is very easy, but you need to let the brownies cool completely before slicing. The frosting is added to the brownies while they’re still warm, so both the brownies and the boiled frosting need time to cool and set up.

Here’s how the brownies are made:

  1. Brownies: Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave.
  2. Stir in the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules.
  3. Add the flour and salt.
  4. Turn the brownie batter into an 8×8-inch baking dish that’s been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  5. Bake until the center of the brownies has just set but is still slightly glossy.
  6. Frosting: While the brownies cool, make the frosting. Add the butter, milk, and cocoa powder to a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Boil for 15 seconds, then remove from the heat and stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Add the nuts, if using.
  8. Turn the routing over the still-warm brownies.
  9. Cool completely before serving.
Texas Sheet Cake Brownies - Easy, FUDGY, no mixer brownies that are rich, chocolaty and decadent!! The classic Texas sheet cake frosting makes them totally IRRESISTIBLE!!

Tip

The coffee and instant espresso granules do NOT make the Texas sheet cake brownies taste like coffee! They simply enhance the chocolate flavor and make the brownies even richer.

Add the frosting on top of the brownies while they’re still warm. The frosting and brownies will both set up as they cool.

I prefer to cover the brownies with foil and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight because they’re easier to slice when chilled and I prefer the taste when chilled.

Pin This Recipe

4.59 from 17 votes

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

By Averie Sunshine
The brownies are an easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that’s as fast as using a boxed mix and they turn out fudgy with zero cakiness. The frosting comes together in about 1 minute on the stove (sometimes called 1-minute frosting) and you can add nuts if you prefer them on your Texas sheet cake. I like to store the brownies in the fridge but they’re fine at room temp.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 9
Save this recipe to your email
Enter your email and we’ll send it to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients  

Brownies

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick
  • 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Trader Joe’s 72% Pound Plus Bar)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon brewed coffee, leftover or cold coffee is okay, optional but recommended
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules, optional but recommended
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, half of 1 stick
  • 3 tablespoons milk, I used unsweetened cashewmilk
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ¾ to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Instructions 

Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
  • To a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate, and heat on high power to melt, about 2 minutes. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate has melted and mixture can be stirred smooth. Allow mixture to cool momentarily before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble.
  • Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules (neither make brownies taste like coffee and both enhance and round out the chocolate flavor), and whisk vigorously to combine.
  • Add the flour, salt, and stir until smooth and combined without overmixing.
  • Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula as necessary.
  • Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until center has just set and is no longer glossy. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow brownies to cool in pan on top of a wire rack while you make the frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

  • To a medium saucepan, add the butter, milk, cocoa powder, and heat over medium-high to melt butter. Whisk constantly until butter has melted. Allow mixture to come to a boil and boil for about 15 seconds before removing from the heat.
  • Add 1 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth and combined. If you like a tighter frosting add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar.
  • Optionally add the nuts.
  • Evenly add frosting to the brownies, using a spatula to spread it as necessary.
  • Allow brownies to cool uncovered for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. I prefer to cover the brownies with foil and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight because they’re easier to slice when chilled and I prefer the taste when chilled.

Notes

Storage: Brownies will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Adapted from The Best Turtle Brownies

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 623kcal, Carbohydrates: 76g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 144mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 59g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Unique Brownie Recipes:

FAVORITE BROWNIE RECIPES

Loaded Oreo Cream Cheese Brownies – Ultra fudgy brownies topped with cream cheese, white chocolate chips, chocolate chips, and Oreos! Easy, no mixer recipe that’s as easy as using a mix!

Loaded Oreo Cream Cheese Brownies - Ultra fudgy brownies topped with cream cheese, white chocolate chips, chocolate chips, and Oreos!! LOADED to the MAX and soooo good! Easy, no mixer recipe that's as easy as using a mix!!

The Best German Chocolate Brownies – Rich, ultra fudgy brownies topped with the best German chocolate frosting! Sinfully delicious! Easy, no-mixer recipe that’s an automatic hit with everyone!

The Best German Chocolate Brownies - Rich, ultra fudgy brownies topped with the best German chocolate frosting!! Sinfully delicious! Easy, no-mixer recipe that's an automatic hit with everyone!!

The Best Turtle Brownies – Super fudgy and loaded with chocolate, pecans and caramel! So.crazy.good!

The Best Turtle Brownies - Super fudgy and loaded with chocolate, pecans and caramel! So.crazy.good!!!

 Chocolate Coconut Mounds Bar Brownies – Like eating a Mounds candy bar that’s on top of rich, fudgy brownies! Easy and oh so good!

Chocolate Coconut Mounds Bar Brownies - Like eating a Mounds candy bar that's on top of rich, fudgy brownies!! Easy and oh so good!!

 Andes Mint Brownies – Super fudgy brownies loaded with Andes! Chocolate + mint is the best! Meet your new favorite brownies and so easy!

Andes Mint Brownies - Super fudgy brownies loaded with Andes! Chocolate + mint is the best! Meet your new favorite brownies and so easy!!

Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies – Easy, one-bowl, no mixer brownies with a full-size PB cup in every brownie! As fast as using mix and tastes way better!

Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies - Easy, one-bowl, no mixer brownies with a full-size PB cup in every brownie! As fast as using mix and tastes way better!!

Zucchini Brownies — The BEST chocolate zucchini brownies that are EASY, made in one bowl, and no mixer required! Soft, fudgy, and almost taste like rich chocolate cake. 

Loaded Magic Brownie Bars — The softest, fudgiest, and BEST 7 layer brownies topped with coconut chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits, M&M’s, and more!! 

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

Get the latest recipes via email!

Leave a Comment

Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Hi Averie! I came here via the link provided in the Texas Sheet Cake recipe, which I received in today’s email. As this is also a sheet pan recipe, albeit a smaller one, I was wondering if margarine could also be used successfully in this recipe? Thanks so much!

    1. I don’t know because I haven’t tried it. In general, it’s better to bake with butter not margarine. The Texas Sheet Cake I posted is an exception because it’s an old timey recipe and that was common back then. I haven’t tested the brownies with margarine but this brownie base is just so good. I would not change it! Just use butter.

  2. 5 stars
    Made these last night.  Enjoyed them today!  Such intense chocolate flavor from the 2 coffee additions!  Thanks for this amazing recipe for the fudgiest brownies ever!  I think I will hide the leftovers!

  3. 5 stars
    Made these last night.  Enjoyed them today!  Such intense chocolate flavor from the 2 coffee additions!  Thanks for this amazing recipe for the fudgiest brownies ever!  I think I will hide the leftovers!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and glad that these are the fudgiest brownies ever and yes, the coffee really boosts the flavor!

  4. 5 stars
    These are awesome! Made them for a party and they were a huge hit. They’re easy, tasty, and that icing is dangerously delicious. Thanks for sharing!