Quick Ina Garten Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe to Charm All

Decadent chocolate sheet cakes transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories with their velvety allure.

Each slice promises a luxurious journey through rich, silky layers of pure indulgence.

Bakers adore these desserts for their effortless magic and crowd-pleasing potential.

When chocolate meets celebration, something extraordinary happens—connections spark and smiles bloom.

Smooth, moist textures dance across taste buds, creating instant joy in every forkful.

This delightful creation transcends simple baking, becoming a centerpiece that weaves delicious stories.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to craft a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Store and Freeze Ina Garten Sheet Cake

• Preserve Cake Freshness: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its soft texture and delicious flavor intact.
• Refrigerate for Extended Enjoyment: Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its moisture and taste.
• Freeze for Future Treats: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months for a convenient dessert option.
• Room Temperature Serving Tip: Remove refrigerated or frozen cake 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach the perfect room temperature and restore its original soft texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients for Ina Garten Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake

• Butter: Choose high-quality unsalted butter for richer flavor and precise salt control.
• Sugar: Select fine granulated sugar for smooth texture and even sweetness distribution.
• Eggs: Pick fresh, room-temperature eggs for better incorporation and smoother batter.
• Sour Cream: Opt for full-fat sour cream to enhance moisture and tenderness.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest: Select bright, firm lemons with vibrant yellow skin for zestiest essence.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Sift together to eliminate lumps and create light, airy texture.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced flavor enhancement.
• Baking Soda: Ensure fresh, active baking soda for proper rising.

• Chocolate Chips: Select high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for deep, rich flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Choose full-fat cream for smooth, luxurious frosting consistency.
• Corn Syrup: Adds glossy sheen and prevents sugar crystallization.
• Butter: Use cold butter for proper frosting stability and spreadability.

Equipment to Bake Ina Garten Sheet Cake

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for blending wet ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Spatula: Great for scraping bowl sides and spreading batter evenly.
• 12×18-inch Sheet Pan: Provides the right surface for baking the cake.
• Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are lump-free and well-combined.
• Double Boiler or Heat-Safe Bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate gently.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center moisture.
• Whisk: Essential for creating smooth, creamy chocolate frosting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate for precise ingredient amounts.

Instructions for Making Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake

• Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven and grab a spacious sheet pan. Coat the pan generously with butter and dust with a light flour layer to prevent any sticky situations.

• Craft Creamy Base

Whip butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud. Gently fold in eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest. Blend everything until silky smooth, scraping bowl sides to catch every delicious bit.

• Develop Dry Blend

Sift flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda together, creating a light and airy powder mixture that will give your cake perfect texture.

• Merge Mixtures

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently. Spread batter across the pan with smooth, even strokes, ensuring a consistent layer.

• Bake and Cool

Slide pan into oven’s center and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cake cool completely, allowing flavors to settle and texture to become tender.

• Create Chocolate Drizzle

Melt chocolate with cream over gentle heat, stirring until glossy and smooth. Add corn syrup and vanilla for extra richness and depth of flavor.

• Finish Frosting

Whip cooled chocolate mixture with butter until it transforms into a luxurious, spreadable topping. Let kids join the fun by decorating with colorful chocolate treats.

Tips and Variations for Sheet Cake Flavor

Unleash delicious variations and expert tips to elevate this classic sheet cake recipe.

Replace vanilla extract with almond or orange extract for a surprising taste twist. Experiment with different extracts to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or occasion.

Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs. Ensure the cornstarch is also certified gluten-free for sensitive guests.

Use piping bags with different tips to create elegant chocolate designs. Sprinkle crushed nuts, colorful sprinkles, or edible glitter for a personalized decorative touch that makes the cake pop.

Brush the cooled cake with simple syrup before frosting to keep it incredibly moist and tender. Mix equal parts water and sugar, then lightly dab over the cake surface for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Serving the Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake

• Chocolate Candy Crunch: Sprinkle colorful chocolate candies like M&Ms, Smarties, or crushed chocolate bars over the frosted cake for a playful and exciting texture.
• Festive Frosting Swirls: Use a piping bag to create beautiful chocolate frosting swirls or decorative patterns across the cake's surface, adding a professional bakery-style touch.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating Party: Gather family or friends to help decorate the cake, letting children add their favorite candies, sprinkles, or create fun designs with the chocolate frosting.
• Slice and Share: Cut the cake into square portions and serve on colorful plates, perfect for birthday parties, school events, or casual family gatherings.

Incredible Ina Garten Birthday Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s birthday chocolate sheet cake delights chocolate enthusiasts with its rich, moist layers. Cocoa-infused batter and creamy frosting create a memorable dessert perfect for celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 24 oz (680 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 18 tbsps (255 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 oz (227 g) sour cream, room temperature
• 4 tbsps (57 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsps light corn syrup
• 1 lemon, zested
• Chocolate candies (like M&M’s) for decorating

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 12×18-inch sheet pan with butter and dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Creaming: Blend butter and sugar until ethereally light. Introduce eggs two at a time, thoroughly incorporating each before the next addition.
3. Liquid Integration: Fold in sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Carefully scrape the bowl’s edges to guarantee uniform mixture.
4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda together, eliminating potential clumps and ensuring smooth texture.
5. Batter Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, mixing only until harmoniously combined to maintain cake’s delicate structure.
6. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan using a silicone spatula. Bake centrally in the oven for 25-30 minutes, confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test.
7. Cooling Stage: Rest the cake at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, allowing complete thermal equilibration.
8. Ganache Creation: Melt chocolate chips and heavy cream in a double boiler, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency. Remove from heat and incorporate corn syrup and vanilla extract.
9. Frosting Preparation: Whisk cooled chocolate mixture with softened butter until reaching a luxurious, spreadable texture.
10. Final Assembly: Generously spread chocolate frosting across the cake’s surface using an offset spatula. Invite playful decorating with colorful chocolate candies for a whimsical finishing touch.

Notes

• Butter Preparation: Generously grease the pan to prevent cake sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Egg Incorporation: Add eggs gradually and mix thoroughly to create a smooth, uniform batter with optimal texture.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain the cake’s delicate, tender crumb structure.
• Cooling Critical: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure perfect ganache application.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 85 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 80 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg