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The Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe

This recipe delivers an incredibly rich and moist chocolate sheet cake, topped with a luscious chocolate pecan icing. It's a simple yet indulgent dessert, perfect for feeding a crowd.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 24 slices
Author: The Bright Food

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Measuring cup
  • 18-by-13-inch sheet cake pan

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 c. butter
  • 4 tbsp. cocoa powder heaping
  • 1 c. boiling water
  • 1/2 c. buttermilk
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Icing

  • 1/2 c. plus 6 Tbsp. butter
  • 6 tbsp. milk
  • 1 lb. (minus 1/2 c.) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans

Instructions

Cake Preparation

  • Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • In a saucepan, melt 1 cup butter, then stir in 4 heaping tablespoons of cocoa. Add 1 cup boiling water, boil for 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Pour this hot cocoa mixture over the dry ingredients and stir lightly to cool.
  • In a measuring cup, combine buttermilk, beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Stir this mixture into the cooled butter/chocolate mixture, then pour the batter into an 18x13-inch sheet cake pan and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Icing and Finishing

  • While the cake bakes, prepare the icing: Melt the remaining butter (1/2 c. plus 6 Tbsp.) in a saucepan. Stir in cocoa, then remove from heat.
  • Add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar to the saucepan, stirring until smooth. Stir in the finely chopped pecans and immediately pour the warm icing over the warm cake.

Notes

This cake is best served warm, allowing the icing to slightly melt into the cake. Get ready to be amazed by this truly ultimate chocolate sheet cake!