Spiced Pecan Chocolate Sheet Cake
A moist chocolate sheet cake infused with warm spices and topped with crunchy toasted pecans, perfect for gatherings or a cozy treat. This desserts ready in about 50 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 320 calories and feeds 12, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup chopped and toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1 tsp salt until well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- Step 5: Carefully stir in 1 cup boiling water until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.
- Step 6: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle 1 cup chopped toasted pecans over the hot cake, pressing gently to adhere.
- Step 8: Once cooled, dust the top with 1/4 cup powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pecan Chocolate Sheet Cake take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 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 Spiced Pecan Chocolate 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 Spiced Pecan Chocolate 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 Spiced Pecan Chocolate Sheet Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Spiced Pecan Chocolate Sheet Cake?
Desserts 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.
