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Easy Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudgy Frosting: The Perfect One-Pan Dessert

This classic chocolate sheet cake features a moist, tender crumb with rich fudgy frosting and comes together effortlessly in one pan. Perfect for crowds, it's an ideal dessert for potlucks, family celebrations, or satisfying chocolate cravings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Carefully stir in the hot water—the batter will be thin, which is perfect for a moist cake.
  5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in milk and cocoa powder until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until creamy.
  7. Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool for about 10 minutes before spreading the warm frosting evenly over the top. The frosting will set as the cake cools completely.

Notes

Measure accurately using spoon-and-level method for flour and cocoa powder. Don't overmix the batter—mix just until combined. Hot water helps bloom cocoa powder for maximum chocolate flavor. Frost while warm so frosting soaks in slightly for signature fudgy texture.