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Ree Drummond's Ultimate Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe

This classic chocolate sheet cake recipe brings Ree Drummond's beloved dessert to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Perfect for feeding a crowd at parties and gatherings, this rich cocoa cake topped with velvety fudgy icing bakes in a single sheet pan for easy transport and serving.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 12x17-inch jelly roll pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour over dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla. Add to chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. The batter will be thin.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  5. Make icing by combining butter, milk, and cocoa powder in saucepan. Bring to boil, then remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, then gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in nuts if using.
  6. Pour warm icing over hot cake immediately after removing from oven. Spread evenly with spatula. Allow cake to cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Don't overmix the batter - stir just until combined. The hot cake helps icing soak in for extra moistness. Cake tastes better the next day as flavors meld together. Freezes beautifully - wrap individual squares for quick desserts.