Description
A rich and delectable chocolate sheet cake topped with a smooth chocolate frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan (or a 13×9-inch pan for a thicker cake).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and immediately pour the hot chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Whisk in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until the batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes (or 25-30 for a 13×9-inch pan), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- About 5 minutes before the cake is done, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder, and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and immediately whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. The frosting will be pourable.
- If using, stir in chopped nuts.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour the warm frosting over the hot cake. Spread quickly and evenly with a spatula. The frosting will set as the cake cools.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a thicker cake, use a 13×9-inch pan instead of a jelly roll pan.
- The frosting sets as the cake cools, so work quickly to spread it evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg