This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A white version of classic sheet cake! This cake is moist and is topped with an amazing frosting with hints of almond throughout. It also feeds a ton, making it great for parties and get together.
This cake recipe is great for feeding large groups, and unlike our white sheet cake with chocolate frosting, this cake has a delicious almond extract frosting.
White vs. Chocolate
I tend to like white versions of desserts (vanilla more so than chocolate, that is)…. For example:
- Blondies vs. Brownies
- White Chocolate Fudge Sauce vs. Chocolate Fudge Sauce
- White Chocolate Molten Lava Cake vs. Chocolate Lava Cake (this is a dessert at Chili’s – if you have not had it, you HAVE to try it!)
This sheet cake is a “white” version of our family favorite Chocolate Sheet Cake.
I’m also a huge fan of almond extract, (I put it in most of my desserts even if it doesn’t call for it) and this dessert has it in the cake AND the frosting!
Bottom line – I just love this dessert recipe, and I hope you do too. 🙂
Tips for making white sheet cake
We always use a 15×10 cake pan/jelly roll pan to make white Texas sheet cake, but you can use other pan sizes. Just make sure you adjust the baking time!
- Full-size Rimmed Cookie Sheet: double the recipe if using this size. Bake for 18-20 minutes and start checking with a toothpick for doneness. Continue checking every 5 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean.
- 9×13 Pan: bake for 30-35 min or until a toothpick that is placed into it comes out clean.
If you don’t have almond extract, or don’t prefer it, you can substitute vanilla extract.
Additional Toppings: I tend to enjoy this cake plain without any toppings, but chopped walnuts are a popular topping. You could also top it with toasted coconut, sprinkles, or any other chopped nuts you like.
Great for Feeding a Crowd
The thing about this white Texas sheet cake is that it can feed a decent sized crowd. That’s why we frequently make this for family parties and gatherings.
Sometimes when there’s a lot of other things we need to prepare for a party, it’s convenient to make this cake ahead of time, freeze it, and then thaw it out the day before the party.
Once the cake has cooled completely and is frosted, cover it tightly with wrap or store it in an airtight freezer safe container. Store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Let it thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving it. You can also freeze it without the frosting and frost the cake just before serving.
Store any leftovers covered, at room temperature, for 2-3 days. It can also be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.
For more favorite sheet cake recipes:
- Best Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Lemon Sheet Cake
- Lime Sheet Cake
- Cherry Sheet Cake
- Chocolate Sheet Cake Bites
White Sheet Cake Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup milk
- 4½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease an 11-x-15-inch baking pan.
- Combine butter and water in a large pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, sour cream and almond extract until smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- While cake is cooling, make frosting: Combine butter and milk in a medium pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add powdered sugar and almond extract. Beat at medium speed with a hand mixer until it is a spreadable consistency.
- Stir in walnuts. Spread frosting on top of cake and add sprinkles.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this recipe be made into cupcakes?
Ok- I never do reviews! But I have made this cake so many times now -I have it memorized! I love it (and I don’t like cake) my family loves it, my bible study loves it! There is literally nothing I would change (and I do that to every recipe!) I make sure to only cook it 18 minutes- then put icing on while a bit warm so it smooths out. It’s even pretty! Haha Thank You
That’s wonderful to hear! It always makes my day when people enjoy it.
I made this cake for a family reunion, & we all loved it. Since it all got eaten, I’m thinking of making another one for just us! I had to substitute real mayonnaise for sour cream, because I didn’t have any sour cream. Delicious!!! Thank you!
I’m glad to hear that mayonnaise works as a substitute, and I’m happy that everyone ate it all up!
Hi, I’ve been searching for 11” x 15” sheet cake recipes and I finally found yours! Reviews look really good too! if I double your recipe to make the cake a bit higher, how long should I bake for?
the bet cake i have EVER had
I am going to try this recipe for a birthday sheet cake but instead I’m gonna make a buttercream icing with cream cheese and pipe it and decorate it so hopefully it will be amazing!
this is the best cake ever
Can you substitue milk/cream or even buttermilk for the cup of water?
So easy to make and my family loved it. My grown daughter wanted me to make it again the next week.
I make this every year for my spouse’s birthday because it’s his favorite and it turns out amazing every time!! Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear the cake is a hit and now a tradition too!
Is it possible to substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream?
Absolutely!
Family reunion yesterday
I made this one day ahead. Doubled the recipe to fit one large shallow rimmed rectangular cookie sheet and enough for another smaller pan but I throw in a pie tin.
This cake does not rise much so you can fill your pan close to the top. I left 1/4”
Cooked about 20 minutes
Family loved the almond. I did not read the frosting directions and let my frosting sit in the counter over night and it was perfect. I didn’t boil the butter as directed. Still worked out great.
Thanks for sharing. Reunion of 45ppl
100th time I have tried to prepare an online recipe. First time I have ever left a review. I wanted a simple cake for fresh strawberries and cream. One bite and I knew this is what I have been looking for after many failed attempts. I chose not to use almond extract and used vanilla. It was perfect.
Yay! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the cake! Thanks for sharing what you did with the almond/vanilla swap. Sounds delicious!
I thought the batter would be a bit runnier, mines pretty dense I’m baking now in 2 nine inch layers, hope it comes out! I’m making a birthday cake for a girlfriend & planning on sprinkling coconut on icing- a layered cake is just so traditional for a bday celebration. Will check back & let you know he w it turns out. Any tips on keeping the layers from sliding are appreciated.
I’m 72 years old and I had never made sheet cake before. This recipe was a delight in every way! I made it for a church Christmas party and sprinkled green mint M&M’s and crushed peppermint candy on top of the frosting. I used heavy whipping cream instead of milk in the frosting and added a dash of sea salt, as I always do with frostings. This cake is dangerous and I wanted to be sure I wasn’t going to be bringing any of it home! (I also substituted vanilla in the frosting and the cake.)
I used an 11×15 inch jelly roll pan and started with 15 minutes at 375° and lowered the heat to 350° for an extra 5 minutes. I live at high altitude. These adjustments produced perfection!
What adjustments are needed for 18X13 pan? I want to bake an amalgamation cake this size. Needs to be white cake with amalgamation frosting. for
This cake is amazing! Wonderful almond flavor and super moist and delicious!
This cake is amazing! I make desserts every time friends come over, and they said this was their favorite dessert yet. The almond flavor and texture are perfect.
This cake is amazing! I’ve made it for several family parties, and everyone always loves it. I don’t bake! I am a ‘cake from a box’ individual. But this cake is easy to do, and tastes SOO much better. I love the little hit of almond. I have some family members who are not huge fans of almond, but even they love this one. It is super easy and super delicious.
1st time making this and can’t wait. Do you frost the cake while warm from the oven just like the chocolate sheet cake?
Yay! Hope you love it like we do! Yes, you can. I usually make the frosting as the cake is coming out of the oven, so the cake is still pretty warm when I put on the frosting.
The Almond Flavoring is my favorite! The cake is so moist and delicious!
I love your chocolate sheet cake and was so excited to taste this. It did not disappoint!
There is nothing better than white texas sheet cake! It always gets rave reviews! And, there isn’t an easier cake to make!
So awesome! Thank you so much for this tasty and amazing recipe! Will surely make this again, Highly recommended!
Whenever I am feeding a crowd, this is my go-to cake!! It feeds plenty & tastes so good! It’s always a hit!
Chocolate is my favorite! But this cake comes in at a close second. Especially because of the almond extract. Yum!
This is absolutely amazing
This sheet cake has been the best!! We just change the flavors to switch up what everyone likes. The vanilla with the almond extract is Amazing!!!
I love a good Texas sheet cake… my son doesn’t care for chocolate- weird I know haha. Made this for Him and it was a huge hit! Everyone loves it. The hint of almond extract makes it suuuuuper yummy.
Can this be made in halF? Or maybe a different size pan? Sounds amazing!! Thanks!
You could definitely half the recipe & put in a smaller pan 🙂
What siz pan for half? TIA!
You could just do a regular 9×13. You may need to add more time, but I have not tried, so I don’t have an exact time.
I went ahead and made it in my jellY roll paN cuz i didn’t see yoUr rePly. Ohmygoodness!!! Best cake ever!!! Do you have A recipe for the exact same thing but chocolate? Thanks sooo much for such
A wonDerful recipe!!! ???
Glad you liked it & I sure do..it’s my favorite go-to…..https://lilluna.com/chocolate-sheet-cake/
sO GOOD! jUST LIKE THE ONE MY GRANDMA ALWAYS MADE!
Yummy!!! you had me at almond extract!!!!
LO! I love almond extract! Thank you!
Does a 1/2 tSp go in both the cake batter and tge frosting?
Yes 🙂 Enjoy!
How MUCH almond extract goes into the cake batter? I see 1/2 teaspoon for frosting; directions say to add almond extract to cake batter but not how much. Thanks!! Love your recipes! ?
1/2 teaspoon 🙂 Thank you so much!!
The white texas sheet cake does not say how much sour cream or almond for the cake. It is nice when you divide the icing ingred and cake ingred into 2 columns.
recipe reads White chocolate Texas shee cake but recipe is for white texas sheet cake. Unless I’m missing something
Maybe I’m missing something..I don’t see where it says chocolate?
This is a totally awesome recipe hands down. Probably my most favourite cake!
But if I make it I have to make sure that I am having lots of company because it is a lot of cake and I will eat any and all of the leftovers – SO Good!
LOL! It’s my favorite too… and yes, it does make a lot. I always make it for parties or BBQs and it’s always a hit. 😉
Why does the picture show 4 layers of cake when the recipe only mentions pouring the cake batter into ONE pan and no mention of 4 layers?
I just layered 4 individual cake pieces on top of each other for the picture. 😉
I MADE THIS CAKE AGAIN IT’S SOOOO GOOD.
Totally agree, Susan!!! One of my all-time favorites. 🙂
I made this cake yesterday, it is delicious!!!!!!
Isn’t it?!? It’s my go to sheet cake. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
MY HUSBAND LOVED THIS CAKE . HE WANTS ME TO MAKE IT AGAIN. I WILL BUT I HAVE TO WAIT TILL MY SONS BIRTHDAY CAKE IS GONE.
It’s my hubby’s favorite too!! And a fav of mine too – SO delicious!!
Hi, I want to make the White Texas Sheet Cake but don’t have he 15×10 pan. How long should I bake it in a 13×9 pan. It really sounds yummy. I would like to make it today. Maybe I’ll just keep an eye on it till it’s done.
Hi Susan, how long did you bake the cake for at 375°F IN your 9×13 pan?
Sounds awesome! Make chocolate texas sheet cake but never even heard of white texas sheet cake. Just curious how it would be with vanilla extract instead or a combo of both. Not a huge fan of a lot of almond extract
I think vanilla would be good. I LOVE almond extract so that’s why I’m sure to use it but you could definitely use less and then add vanilla. I think it would still be great!
I really intend to bookmark this blog post, “White Texas Sheet Cake Recipe” on my own web-site.
Do you mind in the event I reallydo it? Thank you -Shonda
why is it called white chocolate sheet cake? There is no chocolate in it, white or dark.
(But the cake is still excellent)
We always referred to it as white chocolate because it’s a white version of chocolate sheet cake. 🙂
I wanted to try this for a Christmas party we have coming up where we’ll be serving Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. I couldn’t bare to make it straight vanilla (no almond) so at the last minute I added pomegranate juice to the frosting (almost a cup–made it very runny) then poured it on the hot cake. It soaked in and left the frosting on top perfect. Delicious!!!
Thanks!
mmmm, sounds yummy! I'll need to try this soon.~Makalaniwww.MakazHome.com
my mouth is watering just from those pics! So good!!