Birthday Sheet Cake

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Pooch Party

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (63)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(63)

Cook Time:
30 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
1 (12x18-inch) cake

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 30 min
Total:: 45 min

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Ingredients

For the cake:

18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
8 ounces (about 1 cup) sour cream, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 lemon, zested
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

24 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Chocolate candies for decorating (recommended: M&M's)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Pour evenly into the pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan to room temperature.

For the frosting, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it's thickened.

Spread the frosting evenly on the cake. Have the children decorate the cake with chocolate candies.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
null null, null 11-10-2009
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Wonderful Cake
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This cake was wonderful. I made it for my husband's birthday. Instead of making it in a sheet pan, I made it in three layers.... It was dramatic and everyone thought it was delicious. I will make this cake again. Thanks Ina. I always enjoy Ina's show and her recipes. She's real and cooks recipes that are for real people. Sandra V., Hudson FLRead more
recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
Lindsay Hattiesburgf, MS 10-28-2009
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it was ok
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I thought the cake had a nice taste but there was something missing from this and i couldn't believe how many eggs it took. ... It was ok but i doubt i cook it again Read more
recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
Bryan Chicago, IL 09-28-2009
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Very good; easy; crowd pleaser
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is an easy, tasty recipe! I made it for when my nephews came over and everyone enjoyed it...plus the boys got to... decorate it with m&m's! I read a lot of posts on this, and seriously people...get a clue. If you change crucial parts of the recipe for whatever reason, don't criticize it because it came out bad. And who makes a new recipe for an important event without trying it out first? I usually just read the comments and move on, but some of these low rating/comments were truly undeserved. You don't like chocolate, so you give it a low rating...hello people, it's a chocolate frosted cake. Sorry for the rant, just tired of stupid people lowing the recipe ratings. I almost didn't make this because it only got 3 starts...but after reading those lame reviews, and relying the people that actually followed the recipe, I gave it a try. Good thing I did. Good job on this one Ina! I'll definitely make it again! And thanks to all the honest posters that actually have clue.Read more
recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
Christie Tampa, FL 09-26-2009
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Awesome birthday cake!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for my boyfriend's birthday. I followed the recipe exactly except that I halved it because it was just for the 2... of us. It was very easy and so so good! The cake had a nice taste and texture and the frosting was rich and delicious. My boyfriend loved it. He had seconds right away. I would definitely make this again.Read more
recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
Joy Miami, FL 09-23-2009
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WONDERFUL CAKE!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I gotta admit, I was hesitant to make this recipe after reading such mixed reviews, but I decided I was gonna try it. After... all, I watched Ina make it on TV and it looked marvelous. So I followed the recipe to a t, except I was a bit impatient on waiting for ingredients to come to room temp so I used them at whatever temp they were after sitting out for a few minutes. I lined the sheet pan after reading the lady's post who complained that it spilled in her oven. I reserved maybe a 1/2 cup of batter because my half sheet pan looked full and my daughter and I licked the bowl clean. The cake cooked up in 26 minutes exactly, didn't overflow (despite me lining my 2nd oven rack with foil just in case), is golden brown, smells like heaven, and I am waiting on it to cool now, but I already KNOW it tastes like it too. For the people it didn't turn out so great for all I can say is recipes vary by oven. If you know your oven and can adjust a recipe accordingly, it should come out just fine.Read more
recipe Birthday Sheet Cake
Ellie Shakopee, MN 09-12-2009
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best yellow cake recipe i've found
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I'm not normally a cake person, but this cake is fantastic. Very moist and the lemon gives it a fresh taste. Chocolate... frosting is divine. Don't shy away from trying it. It's a fun, casual and refreshing option for a birthday.Read more