21 Best Sheet Cake Recipes for a Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Treat
They're so easy to make, too!
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There are a few reasons sheet cake recipes have stood the test of time. First, their size is quite literally a big piece of it: They really are the ideal type of cake for feeding a crowd. Second, they're so, so easy to make. Just pour the batter into a pan, smooth out the surface, bake, and decorate. It's that simple, which means anyone can make a homemade cake regardless of their level of skill.
Ree Drummond has relied on the larger-than-life cakes to feed hungry kids and cowboys for years, starting with her most famous chocolate sheet cake that she makes for every celebration. "God bless my mother-in-law, who shared the recipe with me when I became engaged to her son," Ree says of her beloved recipe that, 100 percent of the time causes "moans and groans from anyone who takes a bite." (And yes, that recipe is the first on this list.)
But this list of easy sheet cakes doesn’t stop there! You’ll find several takes on that chocolate dessert, but also seasonal delights like strawberry desserts and lemon-blueberry recipes for summer and a sweet potato cake for a treat come fall. You’ll also find a tree cake for Christmas dessert, two different flag cakes for any and every American holiday, and even a football cake that looks just like a field. Whatever you decide, know that you too can elicit moans and groans from everyone with ease!
Best Chocolate Sheet Cake
Listen, Ree Drummond doesn't go around naming every chocolate cake recipe "the best ever." This one really is that special—moist, rich, and chocolatey.
Get Ree's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake
Get a taste of fall in just a few simple steps. There's no better use for pumpkin purée than this cake. It is, in Ree's words, a "triumph."
Get Ree's Pumpkin Sheet Cake recipe.
Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake
Get a bright bite of summer sunshine any time of year! The cake portion is light and tender with a luscious lemony flavor, and the strawberry glaze is bright and fruity.
Get Ree's Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake recipe.
Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake
Blueberry and lemon are such a delightful duo when paired together. This sheet cake is everything you could want in a dessert: moist, zesty, fruity, and easy to whip up.
Get Ree's Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake recipe.
Orange-Vanilla Sheet Cake
If you love the old-school creamsicle flavor, then you need to make this cake! It features an orange-vanilla cake and a sweet white chocolate glaze.
Get Ree's Orange-Vanilla Sheet Cake recipe.
Football Sheet Cake
Perfect for a tailgate or Super Bowl party, this rich chocolate cake is covered in grassy green cream cheese frosting and decorated with candy "players" and a candy-coated chocolate "crowd."
Get the Football Sheet Cake recipe.
Dr Pepper Sheet Cake
Yes, this cake actually has Dr Pepper in it! The bubbly soda helps keep the cake moist and tender, plus adds flavor of course. Top it off with a sweet caramel frosting.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper Sheet Cake recipe.
Flag Cake
Ina Garten's flag cake is incredibly popular for a reason—it's the perfect Fourth of July finale! If it's not a patriotic holiday, simply sprinkle the berries all over the cake for a less holiday-specific dessert.
Get the Flag Sheet Cake recipe.
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Bite into a cake that tastes just like an old-fashioned caramel apple! It features a lightly spiced apple cake slathered in swirls of rich, buttery caramel frosting. A sprinkle on the flaky sea salt helps pop the flavors.
Get the Caramel Apple Sheet Cake recipe.
Christmas Sheet Cake
This holly jolly confetti cake looks impressive, but it's super simple to make. The decorations are made with buttercream, sprinkles, and store-bought candies—no special tools required!
Get Ree's Christmas Sheet Cake recipe.
Chocolate Almond Sheet Cake
Give Ree's famous chocolate sheet cake a nutty twist! There are sliced almonds and almond extract in both the cake batter and icing for an extra boost of flavor.
Get Ree's Chocolate Almond Sheet Cake recipe.
Strawberry and Cream Sheet Cake
When berry season is in full swing, there's no more perfect combo than strawberries and cream. This cake is packed with fresh berries and topped with the dreamiest cream cheese frosting.
Get Ree's Strawberry and Cream Sheet Cake recipe.
Lemon Poppy Seed Sheet Cake
This citrusy cake is packed with fresh lemon and plenty of poppy seeds, both in the batter and the glaze. That gives each bite a beautifully balanced texture and bright flavor.
Get the Lemon Poppy Seed Sheet Cake recipe.
Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake
Simple, sweet, and yet delightfully over-the-top—all at the same time. A strawberry-rosé wine glaze takes this pretty cake to the next level.
Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake
Host that holiday party with ease! Add peppermint extract to the rich chocolate cake and the sweet American buttercream for a cool, minty bite. Crushed candies are all you need to decorate.
Get Ree's Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake recipe.
Sweet Potato Cake
This tender, spiced fall cake is a nod to classic sweet potato casserole you know and love with pillowy marshmallow buttercream frosting and crunchy toasted pecans on top.
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
American Flag Cake
If you're looking for another version of the classic flag cake, try this one! It's easy to do with sprinkles. The secret is to use parchment paper to create clean lines.
Get Ree's American Flag Cake recipe.
Sigrid's Carrot Cake
Sigrid was one of Ree's mother’s closest friends, and she would often bring this carrot cake over when she visited (yup, you can make it as a sheet cake, and Ree often does!).
Get the Sigrid's Carrot Cake recipe.
Red Velvet Sheet Cake
Yes, anything can become a sheet cake—even your favorite red velvet recipe! Ree will show you how it's done with ease.
Get Ree's Red Velvet Sheet Cake recipe.
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Chocolate Icing
Reese's fans, rejoice: This peanut butter sheet cake is like a giant version of the classic treat. It's the peanut butter version of Ree's chocolate cake, so you know it's good.
Get Ree's Peanut Butter Sheet Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes Taste Like Fall
Caramel Desserts Full of Sticky-Sweet Goodness
Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting in 10 Minutes
Easy Fall Desserts You Can Bake in an Hour or Less
