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Quick Double-Chocolate Sheet Cake

2.9

(3)

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Quick Double-Chocolate Sheet CakePhoto by Tara Fisher

Pooh, my mother-in-law, makes the best easy family-style chocolate cake, which we persuade her to make whenever there's a birthday! Her secret is dissolving the cocoa in boiling water before adding it. If you prefer, you can divide this among two round cake pans and fill.

Cooks' Note

(F) Place the frosted cake on a tray or plate and open freeze. Once frozen, place in a box or freezer bag and return to the freezer.
(D) Let stand overnight on a wire rack, then sprinkle with your topping of choice.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 12 to 14 pieces

Ingredients

3/4 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup superfine sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, dissolved in 3 to 4 tablespoons boiling water to make a smooth paste
1 2/3 cups less 1 tablespoon self-rising flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips chocolate buttons, smarties, or fresh raspberries, to decorate

For the frosting

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa, dissolved in 2 tablespoons boiling water to make a paste
5 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 11 x 7 x 2-inch baking pan.

    Step 2

    In a large bowl, place the softened butter, sugar, eggs, and dissolved cocoa. Sift over the flour and baking powder. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture until it is pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Using a metal spoon, fold in the chocolate chips.

    Step 3

    Turn the mixture into the greased pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until risen and springy to the touch. Cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack.

    Step 4

    Once the cake is cool, in a bowl, place all the frosting ingredients and, using the hand mixer, beat together well. Spread over the cake. Run a fork across the surface of the frosting to create a wavy pattern of lines.

From The Foolproof Freezer Cookbook: Prepare-ahead meals, Stress-free entertaining, Making the Most of Excess Fruits and Vegetables, Feeding the Family the Modern Way by Ghillie James. Text © 2011 Ghillie James; photographs © 2011 Tara Fisher. Published in 2012 by Kyle Books.
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