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Easy Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

This classic chocolate sheet cake recipe delivers moist, tender chocolate cake topped with a decadent fudgy frosting that comes together in just one pan. Perfect for feeding a crowd at parties or gatherings, this easy dessert requires minimal effort but delivers maximum chocolate satisfaction.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Melt butter with water in saucepan over medium heat until boiling, then remove from heat. Pour hot butter mixture into dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  3. Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract in separate bowl, then add to batter and stir until smooth.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  5. While cake bakes, make frosting: combine butter, cocoa powder, and milk in saucepan, heat until boiling while stirring, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  6. Gradually whisk powdered sugar into frosting mixture until smooth, stir in nuts if using.
  7. Pour warm frosting over hot cake immediately after baking, spread evenly with spatula, and cool completely before serving.

Notes

Don't overmix batter to avoid tough cake. Pour warm frosting over hot cake for best fudgy texture. Cake tastes better the next day as flavors develop. Can be made gluten-free with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.