Mom's Sour Cream Chocolate Sheet Cake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with Mom's Sour Cream Chocolate Sheet Cake—a timeless family recipe that combines rich, velvety chocolate flavor with incredible simplicity. Perfect for gatherings or weeknight treats, this moist cake comes together in just 45 minutes from start to finish. The secret lies in the addition of tangy sour cream, which creates a tender crumb, and a warm, decadent cocoa frosting that is poured over the cake straight from the oven. Topped with optional chopped pecans for extra crunch, this dessert is the epitome of nostalgic baking. Whether served at a party or enjoyed with a cold glass of milk, this fuss-free chocolate sheet cake is guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3.5 cups powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons whole milk
• 0.5 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and cocoa powder over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually pour in the cocoa mixture, stirring until well combined.

Step 4

Add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 5

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7

While the cake is baking, prepare the chocolate frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 6 tablespoons of milk, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then remove from heat.

Step 8

Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Stir in the chopped pecans if using.

Step 9

Pour the warm frosting over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Step 10

Enjoy this deliciously rich and chocolatey sheet cake with friends and family!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1848.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5574.9

Total Fat 150.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 688.5mg	0%
Sodium 2138.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1089.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.4g	0%
Total Sugars 826.6g
Protein 68.8g	0%

Vitamin D 122.4IU	0%
Calcium 540.6mg	0%
Iron 32.2mg	0%
Potassium 2383.9mg	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: 22.6%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 72.8%