Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist chocolate cake baked in a sheet pan, layered with rich chocolate frosting — easy to slice and perfect for large gatherings. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 20, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 20 American cuisine 370 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 15x10x1 inch sheet pan.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 eggs, 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Carefully stir in 1 1/4 cups boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pan.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. Step 6: For frosting, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and 1/4 tsp salt. Beat on high for 3-4 minutes until fluffy.
  7. Step 7: Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Cut into 20 squares for easy serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 20 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 20). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chocolate Layered Potluck Sheet Cake?

American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes