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Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake by Pioneer Woman

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 23 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

Keywords: chocolate sheet cake, moist chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, Pioneer Woman cake, chocolate frosting, classic chocolate dessert