This super-moist classic chocolate sheet cake is always a hit at birthday parties! Simple to make and even more fun to eat, it’s definitely a winner.
We’re taking a momentary break in the health food-palooza today….I mean, birthdays are for indulging right? And today just so happens to be mine.
And really, I’ll look for any excuse to shove chocolate sheet cake in my your face.
I wasn’t even planning on mentioning that today is my birthday, but then it hit me a few weeks ago that you guys probably would enjoy my all-time favorite birthday cake.
Okay, I’ll be honest: I really just needed an excuse to make it again. 😉
And, well, this IS kinda an important birthday for yours truly. I am “officially” an adult today.
Wow, I feel old saying it like that…The big 18 isn’t THAT old is it?!!
If you think I’m a wreck today, you should see my mom. She’s been crying all over the place. Heaven, help me when my grandparents come over this afternoon….
KIDDING, Grandma!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought birthdays were supposed to be a HAPPY occasion? I guess I get where they’re coming from, though….I’ll probably be in worse shape when my first kid turns eighteen.
My plans for today? Nothing too major so don’t get too excited. I’ll probably spend my morning in the kitchen baking my heart out, per the usual. My mom promised to make me her famous chili and this killer cornbread for dinner, and afterward there will probably be presents from the kiddos and a honkin’ huge slice of this cake.
Well, after I nearly have a heart attack from trying to blow out 18 candles that is….
So let’s talk about my favorite birthday cake in the universe shall we? Yes, let’s.
This is the one and only chocolate sheet cake you’ll need in your life. Why?
- Easy. I’m all for layer cakes on a birthday, but let’s be honest: they’re kinda a pain to make. Sheet cakes = stress free!
- Super-moist. We ain’t got time for dry sheet cake—this is literally one of the moistest cakes I’ve had in my life.
- The frosting is dreamy. It really, really just is. You can totally use whatever frosting you desire on this cake, but my family likes the whipped chocolate ganache best.
- So addicting. You can’t have just one slice. Pinky promise.
- So fudgy and chocolate-y you’ll swoon after that first bite. (been done)
Confession time. This cake is NOT diet food, but what chocolate sheet cake is? Birthdays only come once a year after all and I’m POSITIVE we’ve all heard the rumors that calories don’t count on your birthday.
#whatarelief
We’re going back to the health-food tomorrow anyway, so stuff ‘yer face TODAY. 😉
How you decorate this cake is totally up to you. I usually go simple with just a chocolate-on-chocolate action of the ganache frosting and mini chocolate chips, but feel free to deck it out to yours (or the birthday person’s) personal taste—Sprinkles, edible glitter, melted white/semisweet chocolate….whatever tickles your sweet tooth. ♥
When you bring this cake out prepare for the following →
There will definitely be drooling. And face-planting. And possibly even shoving matches over who gets the last piece.
Oh, and a friendly tip from your local cake-proportion expert: Make sure to cut these slices EXTRA-large so you don’t have to go back for another piece. (i.e. less guilt)
The size of this slice looks about right.—Happy birthday to me. 🙂
Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- FROSTING:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Mini chocolate chips/decoration of your choice optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a double-boiler over medium-high heat, melt chocolate and butter, whisking occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in buttermilk and cooled chocolate mixture. In a separate large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold flour mixture into liquid, stirring until just combined (do not overmix) Batter will be slightly on the thinner side.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake sheet cake at 325F 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs sticking to it. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
- Make the frosting: Place chocolate chips in a small saucepan, melt over medium heat until chips just start to lose their shape. In a separate saucepan, heat cream until just simmering. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and whisk until smooth and combined. Place frosting in refrigerator to cool for about 1 hour.
- Once frosting has chilled, transfer to a medium bowl. With a handheld electric mixer, beat on high speed until soft peaks form and frosting is thick and creamy.
- Immediately spread frosting over cooled cake and sprinkle with decor of your choice if desired.
Notes
Yay for cakes! Check out these amazing ones!
Banana Cocoa Cake with Almond Butter — Bakerita
Peppermint Fudge Cake — Baked By An Introvert
Banana Pudding Cake — Spicy Southern Kitchen
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Happy birthday, Sarah! I hope you have a fantastic day, you deserve it! This sheet cake looks AH-MAZING! I would definitely face plant right into this and then not share with anyone else. Love the addition of chocolate chips on top. Such a fun birthday cake!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Gayle! Happy Friday. 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Happy Birthday Sarah! Hope you have a great day and eat lots of cake. I think chocolate cake makes the very best birthday cake and this one looks fantastic!
Sarah says
Thanks Christin! Totally agree that nothing beats chocolate on a birthday! 🙂
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Happy Birthday, Sarah! Mine is next week. January birthdays are nice because you have something to look forward to after Christmas! 🙂 This cake looks so chocolatey! Yum!
Sarah says
Yay! Happy early-birthday! January birthdays are the best. 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you my friend! 18 is a good one. You can finally buy cigarettes! And lottery tickets! All the best parts of a 7-11. Kidding, kidding! I hope you have the best day celebrating. And this cake looks amazing! I love sheet cakes, especially since I don’t have to worry about the layers tipping over.
Sarah says
Haha! You seriously made me laugh out loud, Nat! 😀 Thanks so much girlie LOL.
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Happy Happy Birthday Sarah! Wow you are so young, if 18 is old then I am probably dead..haha..kidding! Have a super awesome day. The cake looks fabulous! 🙂 Pinned.
Sarah says
Hahaha well, thank you Manali! Happy Friday, girlie. 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Happy Birthday Sarah! That cake looks amazing, perfect and chocolate-y!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Stacey!
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope your day is fantastic!
Speaking of fantastic… this cake looks all kinds of yummy. I am such a fan of sheet cakes, too.
Sarah says
Thank you Rachael!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Happy 18th! Mine’s coming up in a few months, can hardly believe it! This cake looks super yummy. Hope you had a great birthday 🙂
Sarah says
Wow, I didn’t know you were only 17, Medha! Awesomeness! 🙂 Thanks, girl!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY to you, girl! I still can’t get over the fact that you are only 18 – you are so talented and poised and accomplished! It’s amazing. Hope you had a fabulous day! Here’s to many more!
Oh, and this cake is DIVINE. I’m dying for it. Chocolate galore!
Sarah says
Sarah, you are seriously SO sweet! You totally made my day. Thanks so much pretty lady! 🙂
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
Happy Birthday, Sarah! I cannot believe you are only 18! You have created something so amazing with this blog, your photos are just gorgeous, and your writing is lovely. So impressive. 🙂
I LOVE this cake!!! Please tell me I don’t have to wait for my birthday to make it? It’s not till April, and I don’t think I can wait that long! The chocolate chips on top are the perfect finishing touch!
Sarah says
Aww you are too kind, Kristine! Thank you so much, friend!
And yes!! Don’t wait until your actual birthday rolls around to make this cake! Anytime is chocolate-sheet-cake time. 😉
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Wait… you are only 18? Wow! You got it together 🙂 Happy Belated Birthday! This cake looks like a marvelous way to celebrate the big day or really any day!
Sarah says
Haha! Well, thank you! Happy Friday, Julie. 😀
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Aaaw, happy happy birthday, Sarah!! Hope you had an amazing 18th birthday filled with lots of laughs and yummy food! This cake looks absolutely perfect! I am in love with how moist and chocolate-y it is! That whipped chocolate ganache looks heavenly and I could just eat it by the spoonful too! <3
Sarah says
Thank you so much Kelly! This cake sounds totally up your alley! I need to send you ALL my leftovers before they disappear! LOL.
Joanne says
Happy happy happy happy birthday!!! So glad to hear you’re celebrating in style with this cake. It’s definitely birthday-worthy!
Sarah says
Thank you Joanne!! 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Happy Birthday, Sarah! I hope your special day was one to remember. I also hope you ate lots of this cake. It looks perfect for a birthday celebration. Pinning!
Sarah says
Thank you Jen! I had a great day and definitely ate my fair share of cake! 😉
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I love that you are so young and have such a drive for accomplishing things! Your blog is amazing and I’m so happy to have met you (online)! Happy Birthday to you!
Sarah says
You’re seriously SO kind, Amber! I’m so glad to have met you too! Thanks, girl. xoxoxo
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Happy birthday!!! Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate is DEFINITELY the way to go!! 😀
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Jess!! 🙂