Rich, fudgy, and topped with warm chocolate icing, these Texas sheet cake cookies are the perfect bite-sized version of the classic Texas sheet cake!

Texas sheet cake meets chocolate cake mix cookies in this easy, fudgy treat!

Overhead view of Texas sheet cake cookies topped with glossy cooked chocolate icing.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways: Texas Sheet Cake Cookies Recip

  • Classic Texas sheet cake flavor. Soft, fudgy chocolate cookies topped with a rich, homemade chocolate icing that tastes just like the beloved cake!
  • Easy cake mix shortcut. A box of chocolate cake mix makes these cookies quick and simple with just a handful of ingredients.
  • Perfect for sharing. All the chocolatey goodness of Texas sheet cake in individual cookies that are great for potlucks, parties, and holidays.

Why I Love this Recipe

My mom used to make Texas sheet cake for childhood potlucks, and it was always a favorite! It could easily feed 30 or 40 people, but these days, when I’m craving that same rich flavor without making a whole chocolate cake, I turn to these Texas sheet cake cookies.

They have soft, fudgy centers and that signature crackly chocolate icing, just like the classic Southern dessert. Best of all, the cookies start with just three simple ingredients, making them one of the easiest cake mix cookies you’ll ever make!

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Texas sheet cake cookies including chocolate cake mix, butter, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chocolate cake mix: These sheet cake cookies require 1 box of chocolate boxed cake mix. I prefer to use Devil’s food cake mix.
  • Eggs: The eggs are what keep these moist and fudgy and holds them together.
  • Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave. Allow it to cool slightly. Vegetable oil can be used, but I love how butter adds a from scratch flavor.
  • Cooked chocolate icing: You’ll need butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar.

Variations

  • Add a marshmallow. Right out of the oven add a marshmallow then top with chocolate like these chocolate covered marshmallow cookies!
  • Top the Texas sheet cookies with chopped nuts like walnuts or chopped pecans before the frosting sets.
  • Different cookie flavor. You can use this recipe for any flavor combination you’d make a traditional sheet cake with, use white cake mix for a vanilla Texas sheet cake version or strawberry cake mix for a strawberry sheet cake cake mix cookie.

How to Make Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Texas sheet cake cookie dough made with chocolate cake mix in a glass mixing bowl with a white spatula.

Step 1: Mix the melted butter, eggs and cake mix until completely incorporated.

Cookie dough balls on pan.

Step 2: Then using a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Freshly baked Texas sheet cake cookies with soft, rounded chocolate centers cooling on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake for 7-8 minutes and allow the cookies to sit on the cookie sheet for 4-5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Pouring chocolate glaze over cookies.

Step 4: In the meantime, melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the cocoa powder. Turn off the heat and add vanilla extract, milk, and powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth and lump-free. Spoon warm frosting onto warm cookies and allow the chocolate frosting to set.

Recipe Tips

  • Use the right cake mix size. A 15.25-ounce chocolate cake mix works best for this recipe. Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, or store brands are all great options.
  • Chill sticky dough. If the cookie dough is too sticky to scoop or roll, refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  • Prevent spreading. If your cookies spread too much, make sure your baking sheet is cool before adding the dough. Chilling the dough can also help the cookies hold their shape.
  • Don’t overbake. The cookies should look set around the edges but still be soft in the centers. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, giving them that fudgy Texas sheet cake texture.
  • Let the icing set. Place the frosted cookies on a wire rack with parchment paper underneath to catch drips. Allow the chocolate icing to set before stacking or storing.

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies FAQs


Why are my Texas sheet cake cookies dry?

Overbaking is usually the culprit! Remove the cookies when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, keeping that rich, fudgy texture.


Why didn’t my Texas sheet cake cookies spread?

Different brands of cake mix can affect how much the cookies spread, especially if the mix has a different weight or ingredient ratio. If your cookies stay too thick and puffy, gently tap the baking sheet on the counter a few times right after removing it from the oven to help them flatten. You can also lightly press the dough balls before baking your next batch.


Does the chocolate icing harden?

Yes! The warm chocolate icing sets as it cools, creating that signature thin, crackly layer just like traditional Texas sheet cake. It should be firm enough to stack once completely set.

Can I add pecans to Texas sheet cake cookies?

Absolutely! Chopped pecans are a classic addition to Texas sheet cake. Sprinkle them over the chocolate icing while it’s still warm so they stick as it sets.

Stack of Texas sheet cake cookies with a bite taken out to show the soft, moist chocolate cookie texture.

More cake mix cookies to try include funfetti cake mix cookies, red velvet cake mix cookies and gooey butter cookies.

More Chocolate Cookie Recipes

See all
See all
Stack of Texas sheet cake cookies with crackly chocolate icing, one with a bite taken out to show fudgy texture.

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

5 from 8 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Rich, fudgy, and topped with warm chocolate icing, these Texas sheet cake cookies are the perfect bite-sized version of the classic Texas sheet cake!
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Ingredients 

Cookies

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 2 eggs , whisked
  • 7 Tablespoons butter , melted

Frosting

  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 Tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine melted 7 Tablespoons melted butter, 2 eggs, and 1 box chocolate cake mix. Mix until the cake mix is completely incorporated.
  • With a medium sized cookie scoop, scoop cookies onto cookie sheet. Bake for 7-8 minutes. Remove from oven, but let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
  • While cookies are baking, make the frosting. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder and stir to combine. Turn off heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 3 Tablespoons milk and 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Whisk together until there are no lumps. Spoon warm frosting over warm cookies.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: Cookies can be stored in an air tight container for 3-4 days at either room temperature or in the refrigerator .

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 211mg, Potassium: 76mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 244IU, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.