Happy Election Day!
Did you get out and vote? I did for the very first time! My Grandma, who was born in 1919, the year Amendment 19 passed giving women the right to vote, made me promise a few years ago that I would vote this election, and I did. For her, for me, and because she yelled at me for not doing it last time. Eep!
It’s just that, in my early 20s I felt like my one little vote was insignificant, and had less than zero interest in politics. I now know that every vote counts, plus I’m a little older and wiser, well, older anyways, and where the candidate I voted for stands on several key issues is incredibly important to me.
Plus, similar to the lottery where you can’t win if you don’t play, when it comes to the key issues, you can’t complain if you don’t vote!
Or something like that.
Anyways, I left the booth feeling excited and decided to bake a cake to celebrate. Or because I’ve been dying for a bite of rich and ultra-decadent Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing for months. I KNOW!
This recipe is from my Aunt Mary, whom my family and I visited on our road trip out east this summer. Mary comes from a long line of incredible Italian cooks, and has a feast ready for us every time we come. Cookies, sausages, pasta, and, this summer, Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing.
In all the years we’ve been visiting my Aunt & Uncle, she’d never made this cake, but after devouring her famous sausage and pepper rolls ’til we thought we might burst our first night there, she disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared a minute later triumphantly holding a massive pan of it for dessert.
Somehow we each found a way to fit a slice in. ;)
This ridiculously moist chocolate sheet cake slathered with a luscious peanut butter icing when it’s still warm from the oven tastes like a giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Luckily my Aunt Mary was more than happy to share the recipe with me, so I could share it with you. Whee!
Start the Chocolate Sheet Cake by bringing 1 cup butter, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder to a boil in a saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly. Also set aside your urge to ladle the concoction into a mug and drink it. Trust me – this only sounds like a good idea. J/k. Or am I?
While the cocoa mixture cools, whisk together 2 cups each flour and sugar, with 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then create a well in the center.
Now pour that wicked cocoa mixture into the center and whisk it all up. Ahhhh…
AHHHH!
Finally, stir in 1/2 cup sour cream, which gives this cake a moistness that you will not find in any other cake. It. Is. So. Good.
Pour the cake batter into a non-stick sprayed baking sheet (I used a 12×17) or jelly roll pan, then bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. When’s the last time you baked a cake in 15 minutes?!
While the cake is baking, whisk together the Peanut Butter Icing, which was apparently so intoxicating that I forgot to take a picture of it!
Fear not, it’s just 3 cups powdered sugar, 3/4 cup peanut butter, 6 Tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, whisked together in a bowl. Drizzle the icing down over the warm cake, then spread evenly and let it set before slicing.
If you can wait!!
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Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing
Description
Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing is my Aunt Mary’s recipe. So rich and decadent – make sure you’ve got some milk on hand!
Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Sheet Cake:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- For the Peanut Butter Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder in a large saucepan then bring to a boil. Remove from heat then set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl then create a well in the center. Add cocoa mixture then whisk until smooth. Add sour cream then whisk until smooth.
- Pour cake batter into a non-stick sprayed baking sheet (I used a 17x12) or jelly roll pan, then spread evenly. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For the Peanut Butter Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add peanut butter then whisk to combine. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir if too thick. Pour over warm cake then spread evenly. Allow to cool then slice and serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
This Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing is the BEST! Like I said – giant. peanut butter. cup. Plus it only takes 15 minutes to bake, and will be the hit of any party or get-together you take it to.
Just make sure you have some milk on hand!
~~~~~
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Nicole 03.31.2017
I really want to try this to go with our Easter dinner! It looks AMAZING! Choc+PB=BLISS!! I have one question though, is this able to be made into a larger style cake? As in, a regular 13×9 casserole dish?? Thank you so much for any help! Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe!
Kristin 04.03.2017
I’m sure it could! I would increase baking time to account for the thicker cake.
Belinda 07.30.2016
Is it correct that there are no eggs in this recipe?
Kristin 07.31.2016
Yes, that is correct!
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers - Iowa Girl Eats 10.26.2015
[…] was always Aunt Mary’s. She’d have a platter of Italian cookies and goodies (hello Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing!) waiting for us on the table, and a vat of sausage and peppers bubbling in her homemade sauce on […]
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[…] is chocolate cake, and this one goes one step further into the wonderland of indulgence. This Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a must-try and is made with the simplest baking ingredients — you likely already have […]
ELLEN 09.15.2013
When does the sour cream get incorporated? Did I miss it in the instructions?
ellen 09.15.2013
duh, found it. sorry lol
lisa 06.12.2013
Made this cake for my son’s birthday. He wanted peanut butter icing. Usually we make Texas Sheet Cake. Our recipe for the cake is the exact same–except you use 2 eggs. I decided to use the eggs. Tell me, what is the difference when you don’t use eggs?
Emily 06.07.2013
How many does this serve?
Liz 05.23.2013
I couldn’t resist. Thank you – another good cake recipe. Have a fun 30th birthday. I wish I was back there (at 30)so have tons of fun because believe or not the years go by so fast.
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[…] Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing: This recipe comes from my Aunt who has never baked anything I wouldn’t absolutely inhale. Great to have around for an easy treat on Memorial Day weekend. […]
Mary 05.20.2013
Just made the peanut butter frosting for a different cake, it is wonderful!!!! I had a half dozen ripe bananas to use up, so I had to make banana cake. I’ll try the chocolate sheet cake with this frosting soon!!!
Domonique 05.19.2013
This cake is delish!I made it this weekend for my mom’s bday and it was melt in your mouth delish. For those peanut butter fans they will shovel this in their mouths. Thanks for sharing!
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[…] Cake from Annie’s Eats Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake from Chocolate and Carrots The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Icing from Iowa Girl Eats Peanut Butter Cake from Shugary […]
Jackie 02.09.2013
I just made this for the second time tonight. The first time I made the cake I spaced and used my large sheet pan. I figure I’ll scrape out the cake and use it for some kind of trifle or something, the second one, now cooling, is for my sons 2nd bday party tomorrow night, it’s gonna be hard to wait until then.
Also, love your blog and check your site, religiously, every day. Thanks for the great ideas and for what you do. The recipes are very accessible and have all turned out great!
6 Comfort Food Recipes 02.06.2013
[…] is chocolate cake, and this one goes one step further into the wonderland of indulgence. This Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a must-try and is made with the simplest baking ingredients — you likely already have […]
Debbi 01.19.2013
I made this tonight for my brother’s bday and it was AMAZING! The cake was so moist and delicious and the frosting sooo decadent! And everyone else loved it too! My new favorite cake! Thank you!
Andi 01.08.2013
This sounds amazing!!! I think I will be making this asap! It sounds so easy to make! Am I missing something or are there no eggs in this recipe? Thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.08.2013
Nope, no eggs!
Sudha 12.27.2012
I tried the cake yesterday. I made them as cup cakes. The top of the cake became very crusty and hard. I used exactly 1/2 the measurements. When I poured the cocoa into the flour/sugar mixture, the consistency was like a paste. Is that how it is supposed to be? I diluted it with additional water till I got a pourable consistency. Maybe, that was the problem, I used granulated sugar. Any ideas what I did wrong. The cup cake was too soft to hold its shape.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.01.2013
Hi Sudha! Since I wasn’t there I can’t be positive what went wrong, I think adding water might have contributed to the problem, but the batter shouldn’t have been super thick to begin with.
Sudha 12.26.2012
I love this cake. I don’t have a sheet. Can I bake this in a regular 9 inch round pan?
Iowa Girl Eats 12.26.2012
That’d be fine! You will just need to adjust the cooking time.