Is there such thing as too much chocolate? We think not — so we created a sheet cake that’s so dark and chocolatey that it’s actually black. The flavor is every chocolate-lover’s dream: slightly bitter, rich, and intensely chocolatey. It has just the tiniest hint of sweetness and the same bittersweet flavor you get from a fancy chocolate bar. It’s all thanks to black cocoa powder.
Makes 1 (9×13-inch) cake; serves 12
• For the frosting:
• 1 pound milk chocolate chips
• 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup black cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• For the cake:
• Butter, for greasing
• 2 cups cake flour, sifted
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup black cocoa powder, sifted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
Prep the frosting:
Place the chocolate chips in the bowl of a stand mixer and set aside.
Place the cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat and heat, whisking constantly, until the cocoa powder is fully dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer, about 4 minutes. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Refrigerate until very thick, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, make the cake.
Make the cake and assemble:
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Generously coat a 9×13-inch metal baking dish with butter, then line it with parchment paper.
Place the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Place the cream, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cream mixture to flour mixture, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. (The mixture will be very thick at this point.) Add the hot coffee and stir until completely smooth. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
Once cooled, remove the cake from the pan and discard the parchment paper. Trim the top so it’s flat. Flip the cake over and gently transfer it back into the pan. (So the top is now the bottom.)
Fit the bowl of chilled frosting onto the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Frost the cake and decorate with sprinkles, if using.
Recipe Notes
Cocoa powder: Depending on the intensity of the black cocoa you use, this cake can range in color from dark chocolate brown to jet black. Dutch-processed cocoa powder can be used in place of black cocoa, but the color will be much lighter.
Storage: Leftover cake can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
From The Kitchen by Charli Nowak