Fran's Chocolate Sheet Cake

Indulge in pure chocolate bliss with Fran’s Chocolate Sheet Cake—a timeless dessert that’s as easy to make as it is decadent. This crowd-pleasing recipe features a moist, tender cake infused with the rich flavors of cocoa, buttermilk, and vanilla, baked to perfection in just 20 minutes. The real showstopper? A velvety, pourable chocolate frosting made with melted butter and cocoa that glazes the cake while it’s still warm, creating a luscious finish that melts in your mouth. Perfect for celebrations, potlucks, or a special weeknight treat, this classic 9x13-inch chocolate sheet cake is simple, satisfying, and downright irresistible.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 3.5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
• 0.33 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and pour into the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.

Step 4

Add the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt to the batter. Stir until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 5

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

Step 6

While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to create a smooth, creamy frosting.

Step 8

Pour the warm frosting over the slightly cooled cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 9

Let the frosting set at room temperature before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2088.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7133.7

Total Fat 323.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 194.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 1159.7mg	0%
Sodium 2217.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1088.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.8g	0%
Total Sugars 824.0g
Protein 70.0g	0%

Vitamin D 295.5IU	0%
Calcium 564.6mg	0%
Iron 29.1mg	0%
Potassium 2596.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.6%

Protein: 3.7%

Carbs: 57.7%