Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe
This Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe is a rich, moist, and decadent dessert perfect for any occasion. Easy to make, it features a tender chocolate cake topped with a smooth, velvety chocolate frosting, making it a crowd-pleaser for gatherings and celebrations.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking sheet or rectangular baking pan
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sifter (for dry ingredients)
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
- Knife or spatula (for frosting application)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar soft
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream approximately 115g
- 1 1/2 cups strong hot coffee
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup fudge sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking sheet or rectangular baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well until fully combined.
- To the dry ingredients, add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and sour cream. Mix until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Gradually pour in the hot coffee and vanilla extract. Stir gently to combine, but don’t overmix. The batter will be quite thin—this is normal.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.
For the Frosting:
- In a medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the fudge and salt until fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake using a rubber spatula or butter knife. Cut the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate sheet cake!
Notes
If you want to add a touch of flair, consider incorporating a swirl of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the frosting.
For a festive twist, you can use colored sprinkles or edible glitter to decorate the cake. This chocolate sheet cake also pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making it a perfect dessert for a casual family dinner or a lively party.