Indulge in the rich yet surprisingly airy delight of our Light Chocolate Sheet Cake—a decadent dessert that won't weigh you down. Perfectly balanced with deep cocoa flavor and a tender, moist crumb, this cake combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and buttermilk to create a dessert that's both easy to make and irresistibly delicious. The secret lies in a splash of boiling water, which helps achieve the perfect texture while intensifying the chocolatey goodness. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a quick 25-minute bake, this one-pan wonder is ideal for weeknight treats, potlucks, or celebrations. Top it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light frosting for a beautifully simple finish that lets the chocolate shine. Your search for the ultimate chocolate cake recipe ends here!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Gradually stir in the boiling water (the batter will be thin, but that's okay). Mix until the water is fully incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or top with your favorite light frosting for extra flair.
Calories |
3101 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 141.1 g | 181% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.4 g | 162% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 67.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 399 mg | 133% | |
| Sodium | 3064 mg | 133% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 476.9 g | 173% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 47.8 g | 171% | |
| Total Sugars | 264.7 g | ||
| Protein | 62.2 g | 124% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.2 mcg | 26% | |
| Calcium | 504 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 29.5 mg | 164% | |
| Potassium | 2473 mg | 53% | |
*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.