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The Ultimate Easy Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudgy Frosting

This easy chocolate sheet cake with decadent fudgy frosting is the perfect dessert that's simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for any party. With minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, this moist chocolate cake topped with rich cocoa frosting will become your new go-to recipe.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 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 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour this warm chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  3. Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the batter. Mix until smooth and well-combined, but be careful not to overmix. The batter will be thin - this is normal!
  4. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting.
  5. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder, and milk. Heat over medium heat until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until the frosting is glossy and pourable.
  6. Pour the warm frosting over the warm cake immediately after removing from oven. Spread evenly with a spatula. Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for better emulsion. Mix just until ingredients are combined to avoid a tough cake. Frost while warm - the warm frosting soaks into the cake creating extra moisture. Use high-quality cocoa powder for best flavor. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.