Sheet Pan Chocolate Cake (Printable Version)

Moist chocolate cake with a coffee kick, topped with a simple and smooth chocolate frosting.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed tightly
04 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, measured carefully
05 - 2 cups white sugar
06 - 2 teaspoons espresso powder
07 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
08 - 1 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa, sifted

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 3/4 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
12 - 2 tablespoons butter, softened for greasing
13 - 4 large eggs, at room temperature
14 - 1/2 cup buttermilk, warmed to room temperature
15 - 1 1/2 cups boiling water or hot coffee
16 - 1 1/2 cups full-fat sour cream, brought to room temperature

→ Chocolate Frosting

17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter
19 - 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa
20 - 1/3 cup sour cream
21 - Pinch of salt
22 - 1 1/4 cups sugar
23 - 1 cup dark chocolate chips

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Set your oven to 350°F and grease a large half sheet pan (18.5" x 13.5" x 1") with soft butter.
02 - In a big bowl, stir together cocoa, flour, espresso, baking soda, baking powder, sugars, and salt.
03 - In a new bowl, mix eggs, oil, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, sour cream, and buttermilk until the blend is smooth.
04 - Intermingle wet ingredients into dry ones. Gradually stir in hot coffee till just smooth. Pour batter into the buttered pan.
05 - Cook for about 18-20 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out dry. Avoid overcooking.
06 - Melt butter, sugar, and sour cream together on medium-high stove heat. Let it boil for half a minute, then take it off the burner. Stir in chocolate, vanilla, cocoa, and a pinch of salt till it’s creamy.
07 - Spread frosting on the warm (or cooled) cake and even it out. Let it set before slicing.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Keep in the fridge wrapped up—it’ll last 4-5 days.
02 - Freeze it un-iced for as long as 3 months.
03 - Turn it into cupcakes (bake for 16 minutes) or a 9x13 sheet (bake for 35-40).