Chocolate Sheet Cake: A Chocoholic’s Dream Come True!
Embrace the decadence with this luscious chocolate sheet cake. The perfect blend of rich, dark chocolate coupled with a velvety cocoa frosting promises a heavenly bite every time. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or sinking into a comfy couch for a movie night, this cake is the ideal companion!
Highlights:
- Moist & Flavorful: The combination of buttermilk and sour cream ensures a moist texture while the unsweetened chocolate offers an authentic chocolatey goodness.
- Velvety Frosting: The buttery cocoa frosting adds another layer of chocolaty indulgence, making every bite memorable.
- Easy & Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for large gatherings, this sheet cake is both easy to make and loved by all!
Baker’s Tips:
- Melting Chocolate: Ensure the melted chocolate has cooled slightly before adding it to the batter. If too hot, it might scramble the eggs.
- Even Mixing: When adding eggs, be sure they’re fully incorporated before adding the next to achieve a smooth batter.
- Frosting Consistency: The frosting’s consistency can be easily adjusted. If too thick, add more heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time. If too runny, add more confectioners’ sugar.
Serving Suggestions:
- Ice Cream Pairing: Elevate the dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream.
- Berries on the Side: Fresh raspberries or strawberries can add a refreshing, tangy contrast to the rich cake.
- Beverage Pairing: This cake pairs beautifully with cold milk, warm coffee, or even a glass of red wine for a sophisticated touch.
Dive into the chocolate abyss with this sumptuous cake, where every forkful promises a blend of textures and flavors that sing in perfect harmony. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe ensures a flawless result every time. Enjoy this symphony of flavors and let the chocolatey goodness melt in your mouth. A slice (or two!) of this cake is sure to transport you to a world of pure indulgence. 🍫🍰🎉
Indulge in this rich, moist chocolate cake topped with a creamy cocoa frosting. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a weekday treat, this cake will surely satisfy your sweet tooth!
Yield: 18 to 24 servings Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients for Chocolate Sheet Cake:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 & 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (150g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 6 ounces (170g) unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (177ml) buttermilk
- 1/4 cup (56g) sour cream
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 & 1/2 cups (385g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (59ml) heavy cream
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Sprinkles (optional for garnishing the frosted cake)
Instructions for Chocolate Sheet Cake:
To Make the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9″ x 13″ x 2″ baking pan. Optionally, line the pan with parchment paper and grease the paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each one is well incorporated.
- Blend in the melted chocolate and vanilla.
- With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture in three batches with two batches of buttermilk. Stir in the sour cream, ensuring you don’t over-mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Tap the pan gently on your counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.
To Make the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until it’s pale and fluffy.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more cream or confectioners’ sugar if necessary.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. If desired, garnish with sprinkles.
Notes:
- You can store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you wish to store it longer, freeze it for up to 3 months.
Enjoy this delightful cake with family and friends, paired with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee!
A Chocolate Lover’s Journey
Ah, chocolate. This ancient delight has been adored by civilizations for thousands of years, with the Mayans and Aztecs using cacao beans as currency at one point. From the bitter drink of the ancients to the sweet treats we know and love today, chocolate has undergone a delicious evolution.
This Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe is a celebration of chocolate in its most indulgent form. It’s the kind of cake that feels like a warm hug, perfect for lifting one’s spirits or crowning a joyous occasion.
The Heart of the Cake:
The inclusion of both granulated sugar and light brown sugar in this cake isn’t just for sweetness. Brown sugar brings moisture and a slight caramel note that elevates the cake’s richness.
The buttermilk is a crucial component. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda to give the cake its rise. It also imparts a subtle tang, balancing out the sweetness and adding depth to the flavor profile.
Using unsweetened chocolate ensures you get that deep, unadulterated chocolate flavor. It serves as a canvas on which the sugars paint their sweetness.
The Velvety Frosting:
Cocoa powder brings a concentrated chocolate essence to the frosting without adding excess moisture. Combined with butter and cream, it results in a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
Heavy cream in the frosting provides a lush mouthfeel, and its fat content helps stabilize the frosting, ensuring it spreads smoothly over the cake without tearing.
Serving Suggestions:
Consider serving slices of this chocolate sheet cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of cold ice cream with the dense, moist cake is a match made in heaven.
In Conclusion:
Diving into this cake, you’re not just savoring a dessert. You’re partaking in a story – a tale of cacao beans transformed through art and science into a delightful treat. With each bite, appreciate the journey of chocolate, from ancient civilizations to your plate. Enjoy every morsel, and remember: Life is short, eat the cake! 🍫🍰🥰
