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. You can check out a list of my favorite Texas sheet cake recipes if you want to.
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!
This lemon cake is a Texas sheet cake in all of the classic ways. It meets MiMi’s definition anyway. 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!
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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 make a white Texas sheet cake one too while you’re at it. I mean they are easy, delicious and fun to share!
Storage
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.
Lemon Texas Sheet Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup minus 2 Tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Icing
- ½ cup butter
- ⅓ 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 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and 2 cups granulated sugar. Stir until completely combined.
- In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup sour cream and 2 large eggs.
- Place 1 cup butter, 1 cup minus 2 Tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and 2 Tablespoons 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 and egg mixture, and 1 teaspoon lemon extract 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
- Place the ½ cup butter and ⅓ cup 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 1 teaspoon lemon extract.
- Gradually add the 3 cups 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.
Video
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Can I use full fat buttermilk instead of the sour cream, same amount?
I haven’t tried it, but that should work well.
Made this cake today and just scraped it all into the trash. Way too much lemon extract…leaving a nasty aftertaste. Luckily I tried this before serving to our card club group…epic fail!
I am sorry you didn’t like it. I’ve never heard that complaint before, so I am wondering what kind of lemon extract you used. A teaspoon each in the cake and icing isn’t really that much for a cake this size.
@Carlee, I used McCormick’s Pure Lemon Extract. The aftertaste was truly terrible.
Hmmm. You would think McCormick’s would be pretty good. I know how disappointing it is when you are looking forward to something and it doesn’t work out, so I apologize for that. I have made this cake quite a few times for different groups of people without issue, so I’m struggling to figure out what happened.
I love Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake and this one looks just as delicious! PINNED-
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!
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!
What MiMi says goes! 😉 Thank you!
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!
Well now you know MiMi's rules anyway!
I would never argue, and it works for me!
Ha! Good, it's best if you keep it that way 😉
Hi Carlee, MiMi sounds like a lady who knows what a sheetcake is and no one will argue. For me any lemon or chocolate flavoured cakes will always be enjoyed, and with a frosting to match I'm in 7th heaven…. I won't knock the banana, peanut butter and bacon cake until I've tried it. It does sound interesting!
xx
I'm with you, I'm always ready for chocolate or lemon cake. Though I am usually willing to try any cake that makes its way to my plate!
To tell you the truth, a lemon sheetcake sounds better to me than a chocolate sheetcake. This looks sooo good!
It really is pretty darn good! Thank you!
I have a challenge: how about an apple Texas sheet cake with a caramel icing. Or a candy cane inspired one for Christmas 🎄
Apple would be fun! And the candy cane idea is fun too. I have some ideas already. Make sure I follow through 😉
I love lemon anything and am totally craving a huge slice of this for breakfast 🙂
Have at it! It has fruit, so it's acceptable for sure!
This is perfect! You know how much I love my lemon and I would love to make a big pan of this! Have a great day pretty lady!
It is so easy too! Maybe you can make it for your house warming when the house is done!