Gluten Free Chocolate Sheet Cake

Prep Time : 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time : 30 minutes

Serve a crowd with this scrumptious gluten free chocolate sheet cake. This gf Texas sheet cake is moist and fluffy, and it is easy to slice for giant events.

Leap to Recipe

This wealthy, fudgy gluten free chocolate sheet cake is a straightforward one-bowl chocolate cake recipe with a simple, poured icing. It’s simply the very best ever cake for a potluck or birthday.

Why that is the very best gluten free chocolate cake recipe for a sheet cake

This can be a moist gluten free chocolate sheet cake that’s wealthy, however nonetheless gentle sufficient to get pleasure from after an enormous meal, or after a light-weight brunch. It’s very simple to make with easy elements you most likely have already got readily available, so long as you’re able to go along with one among our all goal gluten free flour blends.

There’s no melted chocolate within the batter, and actually there isn’t even a ton of unsweetened cocoa powder. That’s why the cake pairs so properly with a poured chocolate icing, and collectively they keep extremely moist, with simply the correct amount of chocolate taste to please chocolate and vanilla lovers alike!

The cake batter is comparatively skinny, which is widespread in sheet desserts that aren’t designed to bake up thick, or tall. The additional moisture in a cake like this with a skinny batter evaporates within the oven since a lot of the batter is uncovered to the warmth early on within the baking course of. And all that moisture additionally ensures an excellent tender cake crumb.

Is that this a Texas sheet cake?

Once I first printed this recipe in 2012, it was tailored from a recipe (linked within the directions under) for Texas sheet cake. I didn’t develop up consuming that type of cake, however readers stored asking for a gluten free chocolate sheet cake recipe (of the Texas selection, they mentioned!) so I did some analysis.

Again then, to me, a “sheet cake” was a thick, bakery-style layer cake that was loaded with that amazingly scrumptious, who-knows-what’s-in-it, sugar-rush-style white frosting. A Texas sheet cake, it turned out was a skinny cake baked in a jelly roll-style rimmed baking sheet with a poured icing. After the primary attempt, I used to be in ❤.

I suppose that is technically a Texas sheet cake, nonetheless. But when I don’t name it that, I don’t have to fret about being advised that I’ve performed one thing nontraditional like sprinkling the recent poured icing with fairly nonpareils.

A skinny sheet cake like this one is so excellent for any type of gathering, for a birthday or only a potluck. You know the way adults usually say, “I’ll simply have a bit slice”? Nicely, there’s no cake simpler to customise within the measurement of slices than a skinny sheet cake. After which when my youngest comes alongside and asks for the “greatest slice,” you possibly can accommodate her too!

In the event you’re hoping for a distinct type of chocolate cake, listed below are 10 gluten free chocolate cake recipes for all the things you possibly can think about. My favourite might be the basic one bowl gluten free chocolate cake. And naturally, if you happen to’re extra of a vanilla-type particular person, there’s at all times the perfect gluten free vanilla cake.

Gluten free chocolate sheet cake ingredient notes

• Gluten free flour – I like to make use of Higher Batter gluten free flour (at all times the basic mix) on this recipe for its excellent stability of elements, together with xanthan gum and superfinely floor rice flour.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – You can also make this cake with both pure or Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is much less acidic and has a extra wealthy chocolate taste, so I choose that if attainable.
• Granulated sugar – The sugar within the cake, in fact, provides sweetness, nevertheless it additionally helps tenderize the cake considerably. I like to recommend in opposition to lowering the quantity, which is a query I get rather a lot, since your cake with be much less tender.
• Baking soda – The baking soda right here provides rise, and also will neutralize the acid in pure unsweetened cocoa powder, if you happen to’re utilizing that as an alternative of Dutch-processed.
• Salt – Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavors.
• Butter – Including buttery taste, moisture, and tenderness from the fats, unsalted butter is a vital ingredient on this moist and tender chocolate sheet cake.
• Espresso – You don’t style any espresso taste once you add the brewed espresso to this cake. It actually simply helps improve the chocolate taste with out the necessity to add extra melted chocolate or much more cocoa powder.
• Bitter cream – The acid in bitter cream tenderizes the crumb, and naturally provides moisture. In the event you don’t have bitter cream, you should use an equal quantity of plain Greek-style yogurt.
• Egg and egg yolk – The egg provides rise and a few richness, and the additional egg yolks is there for added richness.
• Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate taste and provides depth.

Tips on how to make this gluten free (Texas) sheet cake

Select the correct pan for an oblong chocolate cake

I feel the key to creating a sheet cake extremely wealthy and moist like this one, is to make it not more than one-inch thick in a jelly roll-style rimmed baking sheet. In the event you had been to make use of this recipe and double it, then bake it in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, the slices would probably disintegrate as you tried to take away them from the pan.

Right here, the pourable batter is made in a single bowl, with melted butter, then smoothed out in a rimmed baking sheet. It’s baked simply till the cake springs again when pressed gently.

It may be a bit difficult to unfold the batter into a superbly even layer within the pan, however to not fear. The poured icing covers all inconsistencies.

Monitor your gf chocolate cake’s baking time

Be certain to not overbake this cake, otherwise you’ll sacrifice that extra-tender crumb. It’s the type you decide up with the tines of your fork and so they smoosh a bit once you’re grabbing them.

Bake the cake simply till the cake springs again when pressed gently towards the middle. Don’t trouble with the toothpick take a look at for doneness, because it isn’t at all times correct right here.

Icing your gluten free Texas sheet cake

Ideally, you’ll pour the recent icing on a freshly-baked cake that’s nonetheless heat from the oven, and work to unfold out the icing rapidly earlier than it begins to set. The icing doesn’t harden, even when chilled, however it should set and wrinkle if you happen to attempt to disturb it because it cools. The icing will probably have a number of bubbles and lumps. They’ll even out because the cake cools, although.

Tips on how to make a smaller gluten free Texas sheet cake

Once I initially printed this recipe, the cake was made smaller and baked in 1 / 4 sheet pan that measures 9 x 13 x 1-inch. Regardless of the relative suggestion of the names of the pans, a normal quarter sheet pan doesn’t have half the capability of a half sheet pan.

In the event you’d wish to make this cake in 1 / 4 sheet pan, you’ll want to cut back the recipe by one-third. The best method to try this is to multiply every ingredient by 2/3. That’s a easy discount for many elements, however requires some alterations for others.

For ease, listed below are the ingredient quantities for baking this chocolate cake in 1 / 4 sheet pan (9 x 13 x 1-inch). Simply comply with the directions under for the strategy, altering solely the pan measurement. The baking time needs to be roughly the identical:

• For two/3 of the cake, use these elements instead of these listed within the recipe card under, however utilizing the identical technique:
  • 1 cup (140 g) all goal gluten free flour mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit in case your mix already comprises it)
  • 3 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons (112 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) brewed espresso, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) bitter cream or plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
  • 1 egg (50 g, weighed out of shell) at room temperature, overwhelmed
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• For two/3 of the icing: use these elements instead of these listed within the recipe card under, however utilizing the identical technique:
  • 2 cups (230 g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons (112 g) unsalted butter, chopped
  • 3/8 cup (3 fluid ounces) milk, any type
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • nonpareils, for sprinkling (elective)

Tips on how to make an superior gluten free chocolate frosting

GF chocolate cake frosting ingredient notes

• Confectioners’ sugar – Confectioners’ sugar, which is powdered sugar with an added starch or different anti-caking agent, supplies sweetness and construction to the chocolate frosting.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – The chocolate taste comes completely from cocoa powder right here. Dutch-processed cocoa powder will add richer, deeper chocolate taste, however pure cocoa powder works, too.
• Salt – Salt brightens the flavour of the frosting, and balances the sweetness.
• Butter – Melted butter provides buttery taste and ideal texture because it cools; the butter is what makes offers the highest of your frosting that lovely crackly sheen when it units.
• Milk – Only a contact of milk makes the frosting pourable and retains it comparatively mushy even after it units.
• Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate taste and provides depth.
• Nonpareils for sprinkling (elective) – Gluten free nonpareils are only for enjoyable and fully your selection, in fact! Add them when the frosting is first poured, or they received’t adhere.

Making the sheet cake frosting

Historically, the frosting is made because the cake is nearing the top of its baking time, so it’s prepared the second the cake comes out of the oven. It’s poured over the recent cake, and so they cool and set collectively.

If you wish to guarantee a smoother frosting, sift your confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder right into a mixing bowl earlier than you soften the butter and warmth the milk. Whisk the melted butter into the sifted dry elements, and pour it over the recent cake.

Tips on how to retailer this gluten free flour chocolate cake

In the event you plan to make the cake greater than a few hours earlier than serving it, I might advocate storing the cake unfrosted. I do know it goes in opposition to the recipe directions, which name for pouring the recent frosting over the just-baked cake, however the cake merely doesn’t retailer as properly as soon as it’s been frosted.

If you wish to make the cake forward of time, let it cool within the pan, unfrosted, then cowl the pan and retailer it within the freezer. Defrost absolutely at room temperature, then add the frosting and permit it to set.

You probably have leftover frosted cake, slice the leftover cake into rectangular parts and retailer them in a flat, well-sealed container in a single layer within the fridge. The frosting will maintain the cake moist for a minimum of 3 days so long as the container has a tight-fitting lid.

Gluten free Texas sheet cake: substitutions

Gluten free dairy free Texas sheet cake

Once I not too long ago determined to make this cake once more, pondering it might be excellent for the lengthy vacation weekend arising within the U.S., the very first thing I did was make sure that it labored with dairy-free substitutes. And I’m pleased to report that it really works completely!

Rather than butter within the cake itself, I used half virgin coconut oil and half nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening (I exploit Spectrum model). Each measurements are by weight.

Rather than the bitter cream or Greek yogurt, I used a plain, unsweetened nondairy yogurt. Because the yogurt I used wasn’t thick sufficient, I strained it till it was the consistency of Greek yogurt, after which measured the right quantity by weight. For milk, I used unsweetened almond milk.

Within the icing, I like to recommend utilizing all virgin coconut oil instead of the butter. Shortening has nearly no moisture, and the icing tends to grab up and find yourself too thick to unfold.

Gluten payment egg free Texas sheet cake

I haven’t tried making this recipe egg-free. The one egg may most definitely get replaced by a “chia egg” (1 tablespoon floor chia seeds + 1 tablespoon lukewarm water, combined and allowed to gel), and the egg yolk by one other tablespoon of virgin coconut oil, melted.

For a naturally egg-free and dairy-free cake, attempt my loopy cake gluten free chocolate cake. You received’t consider how moist it nonetheless is!

Gluten free sugar free Texas sheet cake

I haven’t tried making this cake with sugar alternate options, however I’m anxious to attempt. I’d advocate attempting Lankato model monkfruit granulated sugar substitute instead of the granulated sugar, by weight.

Watch the consistency of the cake batter, although. If it appears too thick, as sugar substitutes are typically drying in baking, add extra brewed espresso by the teaspoonful till it appears just like the feel you see within the video.

Rather than the confectioners’ sugar, Swerve has a confectioners’ sugar-style substitute that ought to work. Once more, watch the consistency and add extra liquid as appears mandatory.

Concerning the brewed espresso on this gluten free Texas sheet cake

Because the solely chocolate on this recipe comes from cocoa powder, with none melted chocolate, the brewed espresso actually helps to deepen the flavour. Caffeine isn’t in any respect mandatory, although, so brewed decaffeinated espresso is simply fantastic. You may substitute the espresso with water, however you’ll sacrifice taste.

FAQs

What’s the distinction between a gluten free sheet cake and an everyday cake?

A sheet cake is baked in an oblong pan, and is often not as deep as a “common” cake. It’s additionally not often made as a layer cake, though you can also make a layered sheet cake.

What makes a gf Texas sheet cake completely different?

They are saying {that a} Texas sheet cake is so-called as a result of it’s the dimensions of Texas, however I don’t know if that’s true or not! This cake is completely different from, say, our gf vanilla sheet cake, as a result of it’s made in a jelly roll or different sheet pan in a skinny layer, and has a sizzling boiled butter icing on prime.

How can I make the very best gluten free chocolate cake?

To make sure that your cake comes out excellent, make sure you keep away from making ingredient substitutions wherever attainable, together with the gluten free flour mix, measure your elements by weight (not quantity, which is unavoidably imprecise), and comply with the recipe fastidiously.

What’s the key to a moist gluten free chocolate cake?

This cake is additional moist as a result of the batter has quite a lot of moisture, loads of butter and sugar for tenderizing, and a little bit of bitter cream to lock in moisture and guarantee a young crumb.

Can I exploit this gluten free sheet cake recipe to make cupcakes?

No, I might not attempt to use this recipe to make cupcakes, for the reason that batter is formulated to bake up brief, like in a jelly roll pan, not tall, like in a cupcake. I might use our recipe for the excellent gluten free chocolate cupcakes as an alternative.

Why didn’t my gluten free sheet cake rise?

In case your cake didn’t rise correctly, examine to see in case your baking soda is outdated. In case your chemical leavener is just not contemporary, it received’t activate. Since there’s solely baking soda which prompts the second you add liquid to it, and no double-acting baking powder, if you happen to combine the batter and don’t put it proper within the oven, your baking soda could not have lasted lengthy sufficient to offer an increase within the oven.

Why did my gluten free chocolate sheet cake come out rubbery?

In case your cake got here out rubbery, it might have risen after which fallen because it cooled, leading to a gummy, dense cake with no actual crumb. That’s often because of a too-hot oven that baked the surface too quick, earlier than the within has an opportunity to bake all the best way to the middle. It can also occur if you happen to overmeasure your liquid or undermeasure your flour, each of which may result in a cake with extra moisture than can bake out within the oven.

Gluten free chocolate sheet cake recipe