Easy Bake Chocolate Bliss

Indulge your senses with this exceptionally rich and tender **Chocolate Sheet Cake** – a classic dessert revered for its delightful flavor and impressive capacity to serve a crowd. This homemade chocolate cake, boasting a double dose of deep, decadent chocolate, is guaranteed to garner rave reviews from all who taste it. It’s the quintessential dessert that never fails to please, making any occasion feel a little more special and a lot more delicious.

As the holiday season draws near, with Thanksgiving feasts, festive Christmas gatherings, and lively New Year’s celebrations on the horizon, hosts everywhere seek effortless yet show-stopping recipes. Look no further than this magnificent **Texas Sheet Cake**, an ideal solution for easy holiday entertaining. Designed to serve up to 24 guests with minimal fuss, it frees you to enjoy the company of your loved ones without being tethered to the kitchen.

Contents

Why This Texas Sheet Cake Recipe is an Absolute Must-Make

Effortless Entertaining for Large Groups: When you need to satisfy a large gathering of chocolate enthusiasts, a sheet cake emerges as the ultimate choice. Baked in a standard half-sheet pan, this recipe generously yields numerous servings, making it perfect for family reunions, potlucks, or any event where good food and great company converge. Its expansive surface area means fewer batches and more time for you to socialize.
The Perfect Marriage of Cake and Frosting: The magic of this Texas Sheet Cake lies in its unique construction. A thin, moist cake layer is poured into the sheet pan and baked to perfection. While still warm, it’s crowned with a glossy, intensely fudgy icing that melts slightly into the cake, creating an unparalleled texture and flavor experience. This particular method ensures a higher frosting-to-cake ratio than traditional cakes, delighting those who believe, as we do, that “frosting makes any dessert even better.” The rich, cocoa-infused glaze is not just an adornment but an integral part of the cake’s identity, providing a decadent finish that leaves a lasting impression.
Unforgettable Flavor and Texture: Beyond its ease and generous yield, this cake stands out for its deep, authentic chocolate flavor and incredibly tender crumb. The combination of cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate in the cake batter, paired with the rich, buttery icing, creates a symphony of textures and tastes. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of moist cake and luscious, melt-in-your-mouth frosting, proving that simple ingredients can achieve extraordinary results.
Beginner-Friendly Baking: Don’t let its impressive appearance intimidate you. This chocolate sheet cake is remarkably forgiving and straightforward to prepare, making it suitable for bakers of all skill levels. The batter comes together quickly, and baking it in a sheet pan eliminates the need for delicate layering or intricate decorating. It’s a truly foolproof recipe that delivers consistent success every time.

The Ultimate Texas Sheet Cake for a Crowd: A Story of Sharing and Delight

Living in a household of three, outside of college breaks when the numbers swell, means that desserts, no matter how delicious, tend to linger longer than desired. However, I’ve cultivated a wonderful network of friends and neighbors who eagerly anticipate my sweet surpluses. They are, without fail, delighted recipients of my baking endeavors, ensuring nothing goes to waste and every creation finds a happy home.

Steve, from across the street, is a connoisseur of my cheesecakes, always appreciative of a surprise delivery. Mark, just around the corner, has enthusiastically volunteered to take any chocolate “cast-offs” – a true chocolate lover after my own heart. It was Mark and his wife, Jeanne, who recently experienced the magic of this chocolate sheet cake firsthand. I had carefully packaged about four generous slices for them, intending it as a simple treat. Little did I know, unexpected company arrived at their doorstep that very evening. Jeanne, quick-thinking and gracious, plated the slices of cake and served her guests, presenting it as her own wonderful recipe. The compliments flowed freely, and she graciously accepted their praise, basking in the glow of their enjoyment.

It wasn’t until the following day, when she received a phone call specifically requesting a copy of “her” recipe, that Jeanne confessed her little secret. The cake was indeed a gift from me! This delightful anecdote perfectly encapsulates the universal appeal of this chocolate sheet cake. Its incredible taste and presentation make it seem like a labor of love, even though it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Now, this cherished recipe is available for all of you to try. Be warned: your own taste testers will undoubtedly clamor for the recipe, too! This chocolate sheet cake is your secret weapon for casual entertaining needs – simple, satisfying, and always a smash hit. And if you happen to have any leftovers, sharing them with friends and family is a joyful extension of its deliciousness. For fellow chocoholics, you might also find immense pleasure in this Chocolate Earthquake Cake, another rich indulgence.

More Irresistible Recipes for Easy Holiday Entertaining:

Pomegranate Sangria by The Redhead Baker
Hot Crab Dip by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Kir Royal
French 75 Cocktail
Caramel Baked Brie
Glazed Cocktail Meatballs
Spinach Feta Pinwheels
Fig Gruyere Crostini
Cheesy Spinach Dip
Chocolate Dessert Board
Mini Margarita Cheesecakes
Pecan Tassies
Recipes for Entertaining

The Ultimate Recipe:

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Total Time
50 minutes

Yield
24 servings

This perfect Chocolate Sheet Cake is your go-to recipe for serving a luscious chocolate dessert to a large gathering. Its tender crumb and rich fudgy icing make it an unforgettable treat that is surprisingly easy to prepare, guaranteeing smiles all around.

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream, full-fat recommended
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons (½ stick or 2 ounces) unsalted butter
¾ cup vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
¾ cup hot water
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, for a deeper chocolate flavor

For the icing:

1 stick (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces) unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tablespoon light corn syrup, for shine and smoothness
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare Your Baking Environment: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Generously grease an 18- by 13-inch (half-sheet cake-sized) rimmed baking sheet. Ensure the entire surface, including the corners and sides, is well-coated to prevent sticking.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients (First Pass): In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, vanilla, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Set this aside as well.
Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a large Pyrex measuring cup or a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped semi-sweet chocolate, butter, vegetable oil, hot water, and Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is softened and the butter is melted. Whisk the mixture vigorously until it becomes completely smooth and homogenous. If there are still unmelted chocolate pieces, microwave for a few more seconds until fully melted, ensuring a lump-free base.
Final Batter Assembly and Baking: Pour the warm chocolate mixture into the large bowl containing your flour mixture. Whisk until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Next, gently whisk in the egg mixture until the batter is smooth and uniform. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased half-sheet pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the baked cake to a wire rack to cool slightly while you prepare the icing.
Prepare and Apply the Fudgy Icing: Approximately 5 minutes before the cake is finished baking, begin preparing the icing. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, heavy cream, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, and light corn syrup. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and just begins to simmer. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately whisk in the powdered sugar (sifted for best results) and vanilla extract until the icing is smooth, glossy, and free of lumps. Without delay, pour and spread the warm icing evenly over the still-warm cake. The warmth of the cake helps the icing to spread beautifully and absorb slightly, creating a rich, fudgy layer.
Cool, Chill, Cut, and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack for about 1 hour. For the icing to fully set and achieve its perfect fudgy consistency, refrigerate the cake for approximately 1 hour. Once chilled, cut into desired servings (24 is a good estimate for a standard sheet cake) and enjoy this delightful chocolate masterpiece!

Notes

This delectable Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe has been thoughtfully adapted from Cook’s Country, a trusted source for well-tested and perfected recipes. Slight modifications have been made to enhance the chocolate flavor and ensure an even more tender crumb, resulting in a cake that consistently earns rave reviews. The Dutch-processed cocoa powder contributes to a darker, richer chocolate profile, while the addition of egg yolks provides extra richness and moisture. Don’t skip the step of pouring the warm icing over the hot cake, as this is key to achieving the signature fudgy texture and glossy finish.