The Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake
Prep time: 15 mins | Bake time: 20 mins | Yields: One 18x13 inch pan
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or buttermilk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Base
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet (jelly roll pan).
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Pour the hot chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Add this to the batter and whisk until fully combined.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Make the Frosting (Timing is Key!)
Note: Start making the frosting about 5 minutes before the cake comes out of the oven. This type of frosting needs to be poured while the cake is still warm.
In a saucepan, melt the butter with the cocoa powder and milk. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until the mixture is glossy and smooth.
Immediately pour the warm frosting over the warm cake, spreading it gently to the edges with a spatula.
Tips for Success
Don't overbake: Because sheet cakes are thin, they can dry out quickly. Check it at the 18-minute mark.
The "Swirl": To get the textured look in the photo, let the frosting sit for 2–3 minutes on the cake to slightly thicken, then use the back of a spoon to create those decorative swoops.
Add-ins: If you like crunch, 1 cup of finely chopped pecans added to the frosting is a classic "Texas Sheet Cake" variation.
Comments
Post a Comment