Chocolate Sheet Cake

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

20 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Meet the Cook: The biggest compliment I've ever gotten on this cake might have come when I baked it for my son's 11th birthday party last fall. The children were full after eating pizza, veggies and dip, etc. - but each of them asked for seconds! -Dianne Medwid, Dauphin, Manitoba

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ICING:
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients; set aside. In a small saucepan, bring butter, cocoa and water to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Add to dry ingredients and mix well.
  2. In a small bowl, beat eggs. Add buttermilk and vanilla; mix well. Stir into cocoa mixture. Pour into a greased 15x10-x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring the butter, cocoa and milk to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; add sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Spread over hot cake; immediately sprinkle with nuts. Cool completely on a wire rack.
buttermilk
To substitute for each cup of buttermilk, use 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand 5 min. Or, use 1 cup plain yogurt or 1-3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk.