Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake has to be one of my favorite desserts ever. I’m 100% a chocolate lover and this cake checks all the important attributes off the list.
Moist. Check!
Flavorful. Check!
Fudgy. Check!
Chocolate Overload. Check!
I know there are a million chocolate cake recipes out there, but I promise you this one is a winner!
I have now posted three sheet cakes in a matter of a couple weeks. My Vanilla Sheet Cake was first, then my Salted Caramel Sheet cake. There are a couple reasons for this.
- We are in quarantine and baking is getting me through! I love baking, creating, and photographing my desserts and dinners. It gives me time to clear my mind and I love that. Normally I would make desserts for gatherings with friends, however since we can’t do that right now my family gets to reap the benefits.
- I have just discovered that I really love sheet cakes! I wasn’t a huge fan before this because circular cakes can look amazing. However, sometimes I do not have the time or energy to go through all of the steps of a circular layer cake. When I realized that cutting a sheet cake into perfectly perfect squares yielded pretty results too, I realized I needed more sheet cakes in my life. And I went crazy!
Chocolate Fudge Buttercream
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions: Allow butter and cream cheese to come to room temperature by removing them from the refrigerator an hour or two in advance. Cold butter or butter softened in the microwave may yield a lumpy buttercream. Cream butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Taste buttercream, add additional powdered sugar to taste.
Icing the Chocolate Fudge Sheet Cake
First thing is first. Do NOT try to put your buttercream on a hot cake. I know, it is tempting. I’m always tempted too. Just refrain from giving into the temptation because you will end up with a mess and be mad at yourself for not waiting. I’ve been there!
When your cake is cooled, simply grab the ends of your parchment paper and lift the cake out of the 9×13 sheet pan and onto a cutting board. With a rubber spatula grab a big glob of buttercream and put it right in the middle of your cake. Using an offset spatula, spread your buttercream to the edges of the cake. I like to do this in two steps spreading to one half of the cake, adding more buttercream, and then spreading to the other half of the cake.
To cut your cake I would suggest using a large chef knife. Instead of dragging your knife through the cake, simply press down. After each cut wipe your knife off. This method will give you nice, clean cake squares that are beautiful and perfect to serve to guests. This also allows for your cake not to be butchered up by well meaning guests trying to serve themselves a piece of cake.
Sheet cake recipe adapted from Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake
Prep Time:
Yield:
Print
PinDescription
A moist, decadent chocolate cake base topped with a smooth and creamy American style Chocolate Fudge Buttercream. A chocolate lover’s dream!
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups cake flour or pastry flour
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (or 1 stick)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch cake pan with parchment paper. Melt 1/2 cup butter in microwave and set aside.
- Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
- In a separate bowl mix together eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to large dry ingredient bowl and gently fold together.
- Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared 9×13 inch pan.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool completely, then spread 1 batch Chocolate Fudge Buttercream (recipe above in text) on top of sheet cake with an offset spatula. Top with sprinkles or topping of your choice.
Notes
See text above for tips on icing the cake and cutting the cake.
