Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake is a moist and fudgy recipe, which is made with cocoa powder and a rich, warm-poured pecan icing. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert, ready in about 45 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks butter
- 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
For the Icing:
- 1 3/4 sticks butter
- 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Prep Oven and Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Make the Chocolate Liquid: In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 sticks of butter and add the cocoa powder. Whisk them together, then add the boiling water. Let the mixture bubble for a moment, then turn off the heat.
- Combine the Batter: Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir briefly. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla, and eggs with a fork. Pour this into the chocolate batter and stir until just smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the thin batter into an ungreased 18×13-inch jelly roll pan (rimmed baking sheet) and bake for 20 minutes.
- Make the Icing: While the cake is baking, melt the 1 3/4 sticks of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir until combined, then add the chopped pecans.
- Frost the Warm Cake: As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, and while both the cake and the icing are still warm, pour the icing over the top. Distribute it evenly as you pour to avoid too much spreading. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.
Recipe Tips
- How do you get a perfect sheet cake icing? The most important secret to a classic Texas Sheet Cake is to pour the warm, pourable icing over the cake while it is still warm, right out of the oven. This creates a thin, fudgy layer that sets up as it cools.
- Can I use a different pan? A large, rimmed baking sheet (also called a jelly roll pan) is essential for this recipe. It allows the thin batter to spread out and bake quickly, resulting in the classic thin, moist cake.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This cake is a perfect make-ahead dessert for a party or potluck. The flavor is often even better on the second day. It travels very well directly in its pan.
- What if I don’t have buttermilk? You can easily make a DIY substitute. Add 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it has slightly curdled before using.
What To Serve With Chocolate Sheet Cake
This is a rich and decadent sheet cake that is a complete dessert all on its own. It needs no accompaniment other than a fork and a plate. It is fantastic served with:
- A tall, cold glass of milk
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A strong cup of black coffee to cut through the sweetness
How To Store Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Room Temperature: This cake can be stored, covered, directly in its pan at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Sheet cake freezes exceptionally well. You can freeze the entire slab or individual squares. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil for up to 3 months.
Chocolate Sheet Cake Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 square
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Sugar: 60g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why is the batter so thin?
A very thin, liquidy batter is the signature of a Texas Sheet Cake! Don’t be alarmed. This is what creates the incredibly moist, almost brownie-like texture of the finished cake.
Do I have to use an ungreased pan?
Yes, it’s recommended. The high amount of butter and oil in this cake batter means that it typically will not stick to an ungreased pan, and greasing it can sometimes make the edges overly greasy.
Can I use a different nut in the icing?
Yes. While pecans are the classic Southern choice, this icing is also delicious with finely chopped walnuts. For a nut-free version, you can simply omit them.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe
Description
A classic, crowd-pleasing Texas-style sheet cake that is incredibly moist and fudgy, with a rich, cooked chocolate-pecan icing that’s poured on while the cake is still warm.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- In a saucepan, bring the butter, cocoa, and boiling water to a boil. Pour this hot mixture over the flour mixture and stir.
- In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla, and eggs. Add this to the chocolate batter and stir until smooth.
- Pour the thin batter into an ungreased 18×13-inch jelly roll pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the cake bakes, make the icing by melting the butter with the cocoa and milk. Remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and optional pecans.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm icing over the hot cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is to pour the warm icing over the hot cake; this is the secret to the signature fudgy topping.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eYou must let the cake cool completely before you slice it to allow the gooey topping to set up properly.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t be alarmed by how thin and runny the cake batter is; this is completely normal and is what creates the perfect moist texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best results, use room temperature eggs and buttermilk for the cake batter.u003c/liu003e
