Description
This decadent Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe offers a moist, richly chocolate-flavored base topped with a luscious, fluffy chocolate fudge frosting. Perfect for gatherings and celebrations, this cake combines the perfect balance of coffee-infused batter and creamy chocolate topping baked to perfection in a sheet pan.
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
- 150 g Granulated sugar
- 150 g Brown sugar
- 110 g Vegetable oil
- 240 g Whole Milk (at room temperature)
- 180 g Coffee (freshly brewed strong coffee at room temperature)
- 3 Eggs (at room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 280 g All purpose flour (or any low protein content flour e.g. cake flour)
- 75 g Cocoa powder (unsweetened, Dutch processed)
- 1½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 1½ teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- 226 g Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 240 g Powdered sugar (sifted)
- 50 g Cocoa powder (unsweetened, Dutch processed)
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 3 tablespoons Heavy cream (36% fat content)
- 170 g Semi-sweet Chocolate (good quality eg. Callebaut, Lindt)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 180°C / 355°F (without the fan). Line a 9×13 inch (22×33 cm) pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using an electric hand mixer, combine room temperature eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, brewed coffee, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Whip together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Sift and Fold Dry Ingredients: Sift together all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula or hand whisk. Mix just until combined to keep the batter light.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the very liquid batter into the prepared sheet cake pan evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting.
- Prepare Chocolate Fudge Frosting – Melt Chocolate: Finely chop the semi-sweet chocolate and melt gently in the microwave until smooth. Allow it to cool to room temperature but do not let it solidify.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using an electric hand mixer), beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time on low speed, then add the cocoa powder. Increase speed to medium-high and mix for an additional 4 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and has increased in volume.
- Add Flavor and Cream: Add vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream to the mixture and whip for another minute until smooth and silky.
- Incorporate Melted Chocolate: Slowly pour the cooled melted chocolate into the frosting while mixing continues on low speed. Adjust consistency by adding more cream (if too thick) or more powdered sugar (if too thin), one tablespoon at a time.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the chocolate fudge frosting evenly over the cooled cake using a spatula, or pipe decorations with a piping bag if desired.
- Serve and Store: Serve the cake fresh for best taste. Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Before serving again, bring the cake to room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- The brewed coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without imparting a strong coffee taste.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a richer and smoother chocolate flavor.
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and moist.
- Frosting consistency can be adjusted with heavy cream or powdered sugar as needed.
- Allow frosting to be at room temperature for easy spreading or piping.
- Bring refrigerated cake back to room temperature before serving to enhance flavor and softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
