Chocolate Sheet Cake

Dutch-process cocoa powder and melted baking chocolate give this classic Chocolate Sheet Cake a deep rich flavor. It’s a moist and tender cake like you’ve never tasted and a great take-along party cake! A chocolate lover’s dream!

If you’re addicted to deep, rich chocolate flavor, you’ve come to the right place. This Chocolate Sheet Cake is made with both Dutch-process cocoa and melted baking chocolate. The two combined give this cake a well-rounded rich chocolate flavor like you wouldn’t believe!

I’m personally not a fan of chocolate desserts unless the dessert is made with good-quality dark chocolate. So, when I decided to make a Chocolate Sheet Cake I reached for my Dutch-process cocoa and my bittersweet Ghirardelli baking chocolate bar.

Choosing the right baking chocolate

When I bake chocolate desserts I choose high-quality baking chocolate, that contains at least 60% cacao. My favorite is Ghirardelli and it melts beautifully!

Melting the chocolate

1. Chop the chocolate small, using a serrated knife. The smaller the pieces the easier it melts.
2. Transfer the chopped chocolate and the cocoa powder to a bowl, and pour boiling water over it.
3. Allow it to set for a couple of minutes.
4. Gently whisk the mixture with a fork or whisk until it’s totally melted and smooth.

Mixing the cake batter

Once the chocolate is melted you can move on with mixing the cake batter. The steps are so easy…

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the sour cream, eggs, egg yolk, oil, and vanilla.  Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined.  Add the chocolate mixture and mix on medium speed until all the chocolate is thoroughly combined with the other ingredients.
3. Add the dry ingredients and mix on medium-low speed, only until the dry ingredients are incorporated.  Do not overmix.  The batter will be thin. 

This delectable frosting

This creamy delectable frosting comes together in 5 minutes, and it starts with rich dark melted chocolate too! SO good!!

Why does this recipe use Dutch-process cocoa?

We use Dutch-process cocoa in this recipe because it’s more alkaline than natural cocoa resulting in a more mellow flavor. Typically, Dutch-process cocoa is used in a combination with baking powder in recipes. However, in this recipe, we use it combined with baking soda. We can do so because the sour cream supplies the acid we need for leavening.

If you ever catch yourself wondering when to use Dutch-process versus natural cocoa, read my post on Dutch Processed vs. Natural Cocoa.

More chocolate recipes you might like…

French Silk Chocolate Pie

Chocolate Chiffon Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Fudgy Marbled Cocoa Brownies

Cocoa Brownies with Coconut Pecan Frosting

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Chocolate Sheet Cake

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• Author: Cindy @mycountrytable
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: cake
• Method: bake
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Chocolate Sheet Cake is has a deep rounded flavor thanks to the additions of cocoa and melted chocolate and it’s super moist!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Sheet Cake:

• 2 four–ounce bars of bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I use Ghirardelli)
• 2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spoon & leveled
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 4 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• Dash of salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons half & half
• 6 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, (such as Ghirardelli), melted and cooled*

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Instructions

For the Sheet Cake:

1. Add the chocolate, and cocoa powder to a small heatproof bowl.  Pour the boiling water over the mixture.  Cover and set aside for a couple of minutes.  Whisk the mixture slowly until the chocolate is totally melted and smooth, then set aside.
2. Meantime, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 9 x 13 cake pan and lightly dust with cocoa.**  
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. 
4. In a large mixing bowl, add the sour cream, eggs, egg yolk, oil, and vanilla.  Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined.  Add the chocolate mixture and mix on medium speed until all the chocolate is thoroughly combined with the other ingredients.
5. Add the dry ingredients and mix on medium-low speed, only until the dry ingredients are incorporated.  Do not overmix.  The batter will be thin. 
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with slightly moist crumbs on it.  Allow the cake to completely cool before frosting. 

For the Frosting:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, (or use a hand mixer), mix the butter until it’s very light and creamy.  Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the powdered sugar.  Mix until all of the sugar is incorporated, then mix on medium speed until the mixer is very smooth.  Add the salt, vanilla and half & half.  Mix on medium speed to incorporate.
2. Add the melted chocolate and mix until the chocolate is thoroughly combined with the other ingredients.  NOTE:  If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit of half & half, 1 teaspoon at a time.  If the frosting seems too thin, add a tiny bit more powdered sugar.
3. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.  Top with sprinkles if desired.

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Notes

• *I use a 4-ounce bar of Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate bar and 2 ounces of Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate bar.  However, feel free to use your own combo or all of one chocolate.
• **When dusting the cake pan with cocoa, don’t go overboard.  You only need a light dusting.  Too much cocoa will contribute to dryness in the cake.
• If you don’t plan to frost the cake until the following day, cover the cooled cake with foil.  If you don’t the top of the cake will become hard overnight.
• You can also bake this cake in two 8-inch cake layers.