The Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe: A Classic Dessert Made Simple

Have you ever craved a rich, decadent dessert that feeds a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen? A homemade chocolate sheet cake recipe delivers exactly that—moist, chocolatey perfection in every bite. Making this beloved treat at home allows you to control ingredients, customize flavors, and enjoy the satisfaction of baking from scratch. Whether you're preparing for a family gathering, potluck, or simply treating yourself, mastering this chocolate sheet cake from scratch ensures you'll always have an impressive dessert ready. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: one pan, straightforward steps, and ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Ingredients List

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Frosting:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ⅓ cup milk
    • 3½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes (plus cooling time)

This recipe is faster than most layer cakes and perfect for last-minute entertaining. The single-pan format cuts both preparation and cleanup time significantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, then lightly dust with cocoa powder to prevent sticking and enhance chocolate flavor.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents for consistent rise.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients In a separate bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk, cooled coffee, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. The coffee intensifies chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee—a professional baker's secret.

Step 4: Create the Batter Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don't overmix; some small lumps are fine. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. When making this chocolate sheet cake from scratch, remember that a slightly lumpy batter yields the moistest texture.

Step 5: Bake Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain that signature fudgy texture.

Step 6: Prepare Frosting While the cake bakes, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and milk until smooth. Remove from heat and gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy.

Step 7: Frost While Warm This is crucial: pour frosting over the cake while it's still warm (about 10 minutes out of the oven). The warmth helps the frosting spread easily and creates a glossy finish. For the best chocolate sheet cake recipe, never skip this step.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 425
    • Protein: 5g
    • Carbohydrates: 68g
    • Fat: 17g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Calcium: 4% DV
    • Iron: 8% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Modifications: - Gluten-Free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend - Dairy-Free: Use almond milk instead of buttermilk (add 1 tablespoon lemon juice) and coconut oil for butter - Reduced Sugar: Replace half the sugar with unsweetened applesauce

Flavor Variations: - Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder for deeper chocolate notes - Mix in ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter - Top with fresh berries for a fruity contrast - Swirl in peanut butter before baking for a chocolate-peanut butter version

Beginner Tips: - Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly - Use parchment paper for effortless removal - Let the cake cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using Hot Coffee Always cool your coffee before adding it to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely, which creates lumps.

Mistake 2: Overmixing the Batter Mix only until ingredients are just combined. Overmixing creates a dense, tough cake instead of a tender crumb.

Mistake 3: Overbaking Check the cake at 22 minutes. Overbaking dries it out. A few moist crumbs on the toothpick are perfect.

Mistake 4: Frosting a Cold Cake Cold cakes don't absorb frosting properly. Always frost while the cake is slightly warm for that signature glossy finish.

Mistake 5: Skipping Cocoa Powder in the Pan Greasing alone can leave white residue. Dusting with cocoa maintains the chocolate appearance.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your chocolate sheet cake from scratch covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. The frosting acts as a seal, keeping moisture locked in. For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

To serve frozen slices, thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the texture rubbery. For the best texture when storing this incredible chocolate sheet cake recipe, keep it in an airtight container to prevent the cake from drying out. The cake actually tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for any occasion.