Pioneer Woman Best Chocolate Sheet Cake

Pioneer Woman best chocolate sheet cake takes just 40 minutes and buttermilk, cocoa and pecans to make a moist, fudgy dessert with a thick, glossy icing. Save this easy chocolate sheet cake for birthdays, potlucks or Thanksgiving, because it's a one-pan bake that feeds 24.

Pour the warm fudgy icing over the cake the moment it comes out of the oven, so it soaks in and sets into that thick, glossy layer. Wait until the cake cools and the icing just sits on top instead of melting into the crumb.

Boiling the butter and cocoa with water for 30 seconds before it meets the flour makes the chocolate taste deeper than a dry cocoa mix ever could. The icing also gets cooked on the stovetop with chopped pecans, so every square has a fudgy, nutty topping.

Pioneer Woman Best Chocolate Sheet Cake

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: American, Comfort FoodDifficulty: Easy

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

332

kcal

A thin, tender chocolate cake bakes fast in a big sheet pan, then gets a warm, pecan-studded fudge icing poured over the top. Once it cools, the icing sets into a soft, glossy layer on a very moist crumb.

Ingredients

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
  

• 2 c. sugar
  

• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  

• 1 c. butter
  

• 4 tbsp. (heaping) cocoa powder
  

• 1 c. boiling water
  

• 1/2 c. buttermilk
  

• 2 eggs, beaten
  

• 1 tsp. baking soda
  

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  

• 1/2 c. plus 6 Tbsp. butter
  

• 6 tbsp. milk
  

• 1 lb. (minus 1/2 cup) powdered sugar
  

• 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
  

Directions

• Mix the dry ingredients: Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk it lightly so the salt spreads evenly.
• Make the cocoa mixture: Melt 1 cup butter in a saucepan, then stir in 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder. Add 1 cup boiling water, let it boil for 30 seconds and turn off the heat.
• Combine the batter: Pour the cocoa mixture over the flour mixture and stir lightly to cool it. Then stir 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together in a measuring cup.
• Bake the cake: Stir the buttermilk mixture into the chocolate batter, then pour it into an 18-by-13-inch sheet cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
• Start the icing: While the cake bakes, melt 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Stir in 4 tablespoons cocoa powder and turn off the heat.
• Finish the icing: Add 6 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 pound minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar, stirring until smooth. Then stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans.
• Ice and serve: Pour the icing over the warm cake and spread it to the edges. Let it set a little, then cut into squares.

Tools for this recipe

• Nordic Ware half sheet pan, Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 3-quart saucepan, OXO 11-inch balloon whisk, Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon vanilla extract, 8 oz. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make the icing without any nuts?

Yes, the fudgy icing still tastes great without them, and you can skip the pecans entirely for a nut-free cake. Just stir the icing until smooth and pour it over the warm cake like usual.

How long does chocolate sheet cake last at room temperature?

Covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, it keeps well for about 3 days. The icing helps lock in moisture, so the cake stays soft.

Can I make this cake ahead for a party?

Yes, bake it the day before and keep it covered in the pan. For the best texture, ice it while the cake is still warm, so make the icing right after baking.

What if I don't have an 18-by-13-inch sheet pan?

A jelly roll pan of a similar size works just as well. A smaller pan makes a thicker cake, so it will need a few extra minutes in the oven.

What's the most common mistake with this cake?

Overbaking is the big one, because even a few extra minutes dry out a thin sheet cake. Pull it when a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs, since it keeps cooking in the hot pan.