A cake in a skillet? A cake with a few instructions, easy to whip together and bakes in less than 30 minutes. A cake that looks as rustic as it sounds but tastes if not more delicious than its counterparts? That my friends is a Skillet Chocolate Sheet Cake! It can be whisked together while you are cooking dinner and baked in the oven while you are eating. Easy Peasy!
Repeat after me- YOU MUST HAVE ICE CREAM WITH THIS! Say it again! YOU MUST HAVE ICE CREAM WITH THIS! Okay, good- glad we are on the same page.
This is not any ordinary chocolate cake. It is a sheet cake with a rich, sinful crunchy glaze/topping that just melts in your mouth. The cake itself has a texture similar to a brownie and the topping is reminiscent of chocolate powdered sugar with a crunch. Sounds funny huh but that is exactly what I feel like I am eating with every bite. The glaze is sugary, sweet, nutty and crunchy from the walnuts and silky. Simple silky and delicious. Take my word for it- This will change your life!
I actually do two types of desserts in my good old cast iron skillet. A chocolate chip cookie and this cake. The chocolate chip cookie is divine and over the top but that recipe seems to be floating around the web a little too much lately so I opted to share my skillet sheet cake with you instead. If you are not into chocolate (the horror) then my all means omit the cocoa and use extra vanilla and maybe hints of almond extract, orange or lemon flavors to give the sheet cake a nice fresh taste. Now don’t be alarmed in the process of making this cake when you realize that your wet and dry ingredients are not quite coming together and a nice orderly fashion. The first time I made a skillet cake I thought I had done something wrong or missed a step because once I added in my egg, the mixture was so small and lumpy. I learned to just go with it! Keep forging and whisking and push/spread out the batter to the edges of the pan and pat it down. I can’t promise it will look perfect but I can promise you haven’t messed up and the end result will be extraordinary.
So where have I been? I have heard from so many wonderful and sweet bloggers inquiring if everything is okay. Thank you all for your concern. You see, my schedule postings used to be 3 days a week and they have recently diminished to 1 or at most 2. I can joyfull say ALL IS GREAT! I am just enjoying watching my 9 month old grow, my 3 yr old tackle life and loving my family and friends through service and fellowship. I have not and will not take a break- I just needed a little extra room to breath (which if you are a blogger you know exactly what I mean). However, with my 3 yr old back in Mommy’s Day Out I have “room to breath” and I will be returning to your normally scheduled programming! So stay Tuned! There is more to come and you don’t want to miss it!
- For the Cake:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- dash salt
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- For the Topping:
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 3-4 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt together and set aside.
- In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, bring the butter, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, and water to a boil. Remove it from the heat and whisk in the dry ingredients well. Mix in the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Bake the skillet cake at 350 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- While the cake starts to cool, make the frosting. In a medium saucepan, bring the butter, cocoa, and milk to a boil. Remove them from heat and add the icing sugar, nuts, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over the warm cake, spread with a spatula.
oh yeah! that looks like an easy but so delicious recipe- every kitchen needs one like that! especially since there are ppk who don’t hv an oven!
I love this idea! I just got a pretty new skillet and think the idea of making a cake in it is the most fabulous ever!
Thanks girls! You can make pretty much anything in a skillet! The best is desserts:)
Great idea using a skillet Jessica. You’ve got my mind rolling now. Looks delish!!
Oh I would love to see what kind of dessert you would come up with in a skillet! Go!
This looks delicious, and I love that it’s made in a skillet! Dense, brownie-like cakes are my favorite, so no doubt I would LOVE this one!
You said it exactly- dense brownie like cake!
Girl you know I love me some sheet cake and I love that this is not su huge that I gain 15 pounds because I cant throw it out its to darn good.
Lol! You took the words out of my mouth! That’s what I like too! It’s not too big like a cake but not too small like brownies or cupcakes. Best of both worlds!
What a great idea and time-saver, too. I’m not going to promise to make it tonight because I still have desserts left over from my birthday, but it is definitely going on the list. Thanks for sharing and come visit when you can.
Um…yes x 1 million. Why is it that anything in a skillet it automatically more exciting?!
OMG, chocolate cake in a skillet? Awesome.
i dont hv a cast iron skillet but i think i can just do it in a baking tin. this cake sounds really wonderful especially the toppings! take care and hv fun with all at home!
Your chocolate sheet cake looks very yummy indeed! An iron cast skillet is on my wishlist for ages, they are very expensive! Meanwhile, this goes to my KIV list!
I MUST MAKE THIS – thought, it sounded good to go with the “MUST HAVE THIS WITH ICE CREAM”.
Awesome recipe Belle.
🙂 Mandy xo
You like that! Lol! I need to start putting disclaimers on my recipes stating exactly what you must eat each dish with! Lol’
You’ve just taught me something new!!!! Baking a cake in a skillet! Wow! Not only does this super rich cake look and sound fantastic, but just think of how you save on your electric bill by not having to use the oven! Double whammy bonus!
It’s crazy how much time it takes to blog isn’t it?!
Anyway, glad all is well and this cake looks devine!
Oh my goodness this just looks amazing!!
This looks amazing and it’s funny because I’m making my chocolate chip cookie in the skillet today. I love baking in the cast iron skillets. I haven’t tried a cake or brownies yet in the skillet, but seeing your chocolate cake recipe, I think I’ll give it a go.
Jackie
BTW, I totally get the needing a break from blogging thing. I realize we have a small window with our kids before they go off to college (I have a 7th grader and 2nd grader this yea, what??) and I’m slowing things down lately so I can be more present with them. Honestly, my friends tell me more than 2 posts a week is too much, if that helps you. Have you seen the movie Julie and Julia yet? If not, check it out. I watched it before I started blogging but watched it again with my daughter this past weekend and it sunk in so much more. You can really relate to Julia!
xoxo,
Jackie
Oh you have no idea how much I needed to hear this today! Will email you more tonight but just wanted to say thanks:)
Wow, even a non-baker such as myself might be able to make this. What a great idea. I need to have this up my sleeve when I need an easy cake.
Sam
oh boy! cake in a skillet is something I would have never thought of. But i can imagine the crust it will give and I love a crusty edge of a cake!
What a great recipe! Can be cooked while you eat dinner-just perfect!
That is the best looking fudgy cake I’ve seen in a long time. I’m dying to taste it.
Oooof, give me a slice right now please, amazing and awesome 🙂
Ohh the perfect mid week treat~ I could use a HUGE slice right now, lol!!
Yes indeed ice cream is a must for this delicious looking cake!
This looks like a fuss-free and lovely sweet treat. The 2nd click looks really AMAZING!
You always out do yourself Jessica. This is gorgeous! I love getting to use skillets for dessert. There’s something so fun about that!
Wow, this looks superb! Would love this with some vanilla ice cream.
I actually just love that you are using a skillet for this cake!! It just feels so comforting and rustic! Now chocolate is my downfall….so I’m all in on this recipe!!!
I bought vanilla ice cream today and it will taste wonderful with this chocolate sheet cake.
I love anything cooked in heavy cast iron skillet. But mostly food in my kitchen, but so happy to see such a delicious chocolate cake being made in the skillet. I should give it a try!
p.s. About your posting etc, kids grow up so fast that we must cherish every moment. My son is 1st grade so he’s till 2:45, while my daugther is in pre-K so just in the morning. I think we must spend as much time as possible because looking at my son, all we do after school is driving them to activities and homework, not much cuddling time. 🙂 Happy to hear all is well!
That cake = chocolate heaven!
Oh yes, I love this – I’ll take chocolate cake cooked in just about anything – but this looks so decedant!! SO delicious and YES with ice cream !!
Mary x
Oh yes…definitely with a scoop of ice cream! Your skillet cake looks scrumptious!
Thanks biren! Next time I think I might put espresso in it:)
Chocolate sheet cake is one of my favorites. I love that you’ve made this in a skillet. I agree with you….it has to have a big old scoop or two of Blue Bell. Unfortunately, I don’t have Blue Bell up here so I will settle for second best….Ben and Jerry’s. 🙂
I’ve made fruit cobblers in my cast-iron skillet, but never chocolate cake. It does look rich and brownie-like. Yes, a scoop of ice cream is in order!
Chocolate cake in a skillet! What a brilliant idea! I’d love mine with a scoop of ice cream
Friend! Sorry I have been MIA! I hope all is well with you, darling!
This skillet cake looks divine! I must try this out! 😉
Must make this soon! I’ve been seeing skillet cake everywhere lately. And, mmm.. I am so jealous 😉
ps: I’ve taken blogging breaks before because I value my time with the family. It’s hard to balance everything. We need to just prioritize what is important to us 🙂
Hugs.
This was *outstanding*. Would love, love, love, love for you to share your skillet chocolate chip cookie recipe. Even my kids are begging.
Well, there goes my diet! Was going to ask if I could use pecans in place of walnuts (in the writing you say walnuts) but I see the recipe says pecans, so I will use pecans!! 😉
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