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Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe - Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

This classic Texas sheet cake recipe from Ree Drummond features a moist chocolate cake topped with rich fudgy icing, perfect for feeding a crowd at gatherings and potlucks. The one-pan dessert comes together easily with ingredients mixed directly in a saucepan and baked in a standard baking sheet.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10x15-inch baking sheet or jelly roll pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat immediately.
  3. Pour the hot cocoa mixture over the flour mixture and stir until just combined. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Add this to the chocolate batter and mix until smooth.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. While the cake bakes, prepare the icing. In a saucepan, combine the butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. If using nuts, stir them in now.
  6. Pour the warm icing over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Spread evenly with a spatula. The icing will set as the cake cools. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter, don't overmix, ice while warm, let cool completely before cutting, try different nuts like pecans or walnuts for customization.