Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Party Food and Drink
  4. 34 Party-Perfect Sheet Cake Recipes

34 Party-Perfect Sheet Cake Recipes

Zoe Denenberg
By Zoe Denenberg Updated January 27, 2021
Skip gallery slides
FB
Key Lime Sheet Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Simple, elegant, and sure to be crowd-pleasers, these quick and easy sheet cakes are the perfect way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank (or breaking a sweat). A 13- by 9-inch sheet cake pan is all you need to transform drab boxed cake mix into a luxurious birthday cake, a fan-favorite carrot cake, or a festive berry poke cake. Learn the secret ingredient to a perfect chocolate sheet cake (hint: you can find this popular summer vegetable at your local farmers' market) or charm your guests with a rich, nutty Texas sheet cake. These playful cakes are approved by kids and adults alike. Whether you're celebrating a graduation, a birthday, or simply toasting to life, these recipes will be your no-fuss secret to easy, breezy hosting. So ditch the store-bought cake and opt for one of these simple yet impressive sheet cake recipes to wow your crowd this season.

Start Slideshow

1 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

Coconut and carrot combine to bring layers of moist, toasty goodness to this unconventional sheet cake.

1 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Wacky Cake

Wacky Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Wacky Cake

As you may have guessed from its name, this cake is unconventional. The ingredients are stirred together right in the pan, and doesn't require any eggs or milk.

2 of 34

3 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coconut Tres Leches Sheet Cake

Coconut Tres Leches Sheet Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Coconut Tres Leches Sheet Cake

This cake's warm yet light flavors are sure to please at any summer party. The toasty coconut and zesty lime toppings will transport you right to the tropics.

3 of 34

Advertisement

4 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Key Lime Sheet Cake

Key Lime Sheet Cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Key Lime Sheet Cake

Poke holes after adding the gelatin to let it seep into the cake. This produces lime-green streaks that can be seen when the cake is cut.

4 of 34

5 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Zucchini may be an unconventional cake ingredient, but it's the key to this super-moist sponge cake. With rich chocolate flavor and Brown Butter-Pistachio Frosting, your kids will never even guess that they're eating their vegetables.

5 of 34

6 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

This whimsical cake balances the sugary sweetness of cream soda with the fruity freshness of strawberry icing. Its cool flavor palate will be a favorite amongst kids and adults alike.

6 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

This star-spangled sheet cake uses a poke cake technique that helps the sponge soak up all the flavor of the two fruit fillings. You're sure to find bursts of fresh strawberry, blueberry, and cream in every bite.

7 of 34

8 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Banana Pudding Poke Cake

This sheet cake recipe is a fresh take on traditional banana pudding that's perfect for large parties.

8 of 34

9 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Classic Birthday Cake

Classic Birthday Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Classic Birthday Cake

You can't go wrong with vanilla and rainbow sprinkles. No birthday celebration is complete without lots of family and friends, and this sheet cake can accommodate your party crowds.

9 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Dr. Pepper Texas Sheet Cake

Dr Pepper Texas Sheet Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Dr. Pepper Texas Sheet Cake

Dr. Pepper adds fragrant spices to this cake. It will remind you of a traditional Texas Sheet Cake, but with fragrant aromas like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.

10 of 34

11 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Fresh Apple Cake

Apple Cake Recipes
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Fresh Apple Cake

Thinly sliced apples create rich, moist layers of fruit within the cake. Top with your choice of Browned Butter Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, or Dark Chocolate Frosting.

11 of 34

12 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

SweeTARTS and Smarties Tie-Dye Cake

SweeTARTS and Smarties Tie-Dye Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: SweeTARTS and Smarties Tie-Dye Cake

Your favorite childhood candies star in this whimsical and nostalgic sheet cake recipe. Kids will love the playful design and bright colors. Trust us, this cake tastes as good as it looks.

12 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brown-Sugar Rum Cake

Brown Sugar-Rum Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Brown-Sugar Rum Cake

The caramel flavor of dark brown sugar balances out the rum in the rich frosting. If you want to skip the rum, try replacing with vanilla extract or a cream cheese frosting. 

13 of 34

14 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

White Texas Sheet Cake

White Texas Sheet Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: White Texas Sheet Cake

Sister to the classic chocolate Texas Sheet Cake and the Blond Texas Sheet Cake, this version is a homemade white cake covered in browned-butter and toasted walnut frosting. 

14 of 34

15 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sweet Potato Sheet Cake

Sweet Potato Sheet Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sweet Potato Sheet Cake

No one will know that you used a boxed cake mix to start this recipe off once they taste the first heavenly bite. Did we mention there's pecans, bacon, and apple pie spice in there too?

15 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Flag Cake

Flag Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Flag Cake

Perfectly patriotic and undeniably festive, this cake features a tangy sour cream vanilla frosting with fresh blue and red berries.

16 of 34

17 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Graduation Sheet Cake

Graduation Sheet Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Graduation Sheet Cake

Celebrate your grad's accomplishments with this simple crowd-pleasing sheet cake. Adorn with edible wafer cookie "diplomas" and decorate in school colors for a spirited treat.

17 of 34

18 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mini Confetti Cakes

Mini Confetti Cakes
Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Mini Confetti Cakes

To upgrade and refine your sheet cake, use a small round cutter to construct the layers of these adorable Mini Confetti Cakes. Adorn with edible flowers to complete the perfect miniature dessert for your ladies' luncheon or afternoon tea party.

18 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Trust us. This simple sheet cake will be a keeper in your recipe box. File it under "springtime crowd-pleaser."

19 of 34

20 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Heavenly Angel Food Cake

Heavenly Angel Food Cake
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Heavenly Angel Food Cake

The rich, moist texture of this divine angel food cake is unlike any other. Made from scratch in minutes, it's spread with frosting that's a lemon lover's dream.

20 of 34

21 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Shortcut Carrot Sheet Cake

Carrot-Walnut-Coconut Sheet Cake image
Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Shortcut Carrot Sheet Cake

Packed with the warm flavors of walnut, toasted coconut, and pineapple (which adds extra moisture), this carrot spice cake is a must-have fall recipe. Feed a Thanksgiving crowd with this quick and sophisticated sheet cake. Plus, you can save the leftovers for days of snacking.

21 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing

Don't mess with Texas! This iconic Texas Sheet Cake is rich in chocolatey, nutty flavors. Its signature fudge icing is poured on just after the cake is removed from the oven, leading to a gooey, soft frosting that melts in your mouth.

22 of 34

23 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coconut-Butter Pecan Sheet Cake

Coconut-Butter Pecan Sheet Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Coconut-Butter Pecan Sheet Cake

There's nothing better than warm, roasted butter pecans, and this recipe pairs nuts with light coconut to make this sheet cake perfect for the summer.

23 of 34

24 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Mayonnaise is the secret to this chocolate cake's fluffy, light texture.

24 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Blond Texas Sheet Cake

Blonde Texas Sheet Cake
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Blond Texas Sheet Cake

A twist on the beloved chocolate Texas Sheet Cake, this blond version maintains all of the cake's signature nutty richness without any cocoa. The addition of buttermilk keeps the cake extra moist and fluffy.

25 of 34

26 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

With its fluffy chocolate sponge and marshmallow-pecan topping, this classic cake is a grown-up homage to summer s'mores.

26 of 34

27 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

The combination of tart stone fruit, fresh berries, and toasty cornmeal makes this recipe adaptable and suited for any season. Great for brunch or an afternoon snack, this sheet cake can be taken on the go or enjoyed on your front porch.

27 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

This sheet cake combines all the flavors of your favorite Southern beverages into a light, refreshing dessert. Feeling rowdy? Spin this into a tipsy cake by substituting up to 2 Tbsp. vodka or bourbon for the lemon juice in the frosting.

28 of 34

29 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Apricot-Almond Coffee Cake

Apricot-Almond Coffee Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Apricot-Almond Coffee Cake

Add apricots, slivered almonds, and a vanilla glaze to transform your coffee cake. Eat this sweet treat at brunch or as an after-dinner dessert.

29 of 34

30 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

Coca-Cola Cake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

The carbonation and sweet syrup of Coca-Cola is what make this cake moist and tender, and one that everyone is bound to enjoy.

30 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Dump Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Make the pumpkin filling (similar to pumpkin pie filling) in a separate bowl and then combine with yellow cake mix and melted butter before popping this cake into the oven. 

31 of 34

32 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nehi Orange Poke Cake

Nehi Orange Poke Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Nehi Orange Poke Cake

Nehi orange-flavored soda is a main ingredient in the citrus curd in this recipe, giving the cake a tangy kick.

32 of 34

33 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Heath Bar Cake
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Pumpkin spice lovers, this one's for you. It's topped with spiced cream cheese frosting and toffee and almond candy bits that taste like fall in every bite.

33 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 34

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake With Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting
Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting

Classic, chocolate cake is always a crowd-pleaser. Add cinnamon to this recipe if you want to make things interesting.

34 of 34

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Zoe Denenberg

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 34 Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream
    2 of 34 Wacky Cake
    3 of 34 Coconut Tres Leches Sheet Cake
    4 of 34 Key Lime Sheet Cake
    5 of 34 Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
    6 of 34 Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake
    7 of 34 Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
    8 of 34 Banana Pudding Poke Cake
    9 of 34 Classic Birthday Cake
    10 of 34 Dr. Pepper Texas Sheet Cake
    11 of 34 Fresh Apple Cake
    12 of 34 SweeTARTS and Smarties Tie-Dye Cake
    13 of 34 Brown-Sugar Rum Cake
    14 of 34 White Texas Sheet Cake
    15 of 34 Sweet Potato Sheet Cake
    16 of 34 Flag Cake
    17 of 34 Graduation Sheet Cake
    18 of 34 Mini Confetti Cakes
    19 of 34 Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
    20 of 34 Heavenly Angel Food Cake
    21 of 34 Shortcut Carrot Sheet Cake
    22 of 34 Texas Sheet Cake with Fudge Icing
    23 of 34 Coconut-Butter Pecan Sheet Cake
    24 of 34 Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
    25 of 34 Blond Texas Sheet Cake
    26 of 34 Mississippi Mud Cake
    27 of 34 Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake
    28 of 34 Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
    29 of 34 Apricot-Almond Coffee Cake
    30 of 34 Coca-Cola Cake Recipe
    31 of 34 Pumpkin Dump Cake
    32 of 34 Nehi Orange Poke Cake
    33 of 34 Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake
    34 of 34 Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    34 Party-Perfect Sheet Cake Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.