Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake by Pioneer Woman
The Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake by Pioneer Woman is a rich, moist, and decadent chocolate dessert that balances tender crumb cake with a luscious, fudgy frosting. This easy-to-make recipe features simple ingredients and straightforward steps, delivering deep chocolate flavor and perfect moisture for any occasion, from casual dinners to special celebrations.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free flour blend is used)
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch sheet pan by lightly buttering and flouring it or lining it with parchment paper for easy release and clean edges.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until fully combined and free of lumps for an even texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients Separately: In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, boiling water, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing well to blend the rich liquids smoothly.
- Incorporate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently but thoroughly. The batter will be thin, which helps create the cake’s signature crumb.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid over-baking to maintain moisture.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cake bakes, melt butter in a saucepan or microwave. Whisk in cocoa powder and powdered sugar, adding milk or cream a little at a time until the frosting is glossy and spreadable.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, spread the frosting evenly across the surface, allowing it to melt slightly into the cake for extra gooey richness.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to help the batter mix evenly.
- Do not overmix the batter; stir only until combined to prevent a tough cake.
- Choose good quality cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Frost the cake when it is warm, not hot, to achieve smooth frosting without melting it completely.
- Measure ingredients carefully to ensure ideal texture and consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: chocolate sheet cake, moist chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, Pioneer Woman cake, chocolate frosting, classic chocolate dessert