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Recession Chocolate Sheet Cake

This Recession Chocolate Sheet Cake is an easy, budget friendly chocolate cake made with pantry staples and topped with a glossy chocolate glaze. Rich, moist, soft, and deeply chocolatey, it’s the perfect everyday dessert for feeding a crowd without breaking the budget.
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Course: Cake, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: budget friendly chocolate cake, chocolate glazed chocolate cake, chocolate sheet cake, dairy free chocolate cake, depression cake, depression era cake, egg free cake, egg free chocolate cake, poor mans chocolate cake, single layer chocolate cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling and Setting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 -16 servings

Ingredients 

Cake

  • 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons
  • ¾ cup canola oil
  • 1 cup warm water
  • ½ cup warm brewed coffee or additional water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • teaspoons baking soda
  • teaspoons white vinegar
  • teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon espresso powder optional, recommended
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon optional

Chocolate Glaze

  • cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter optional
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Large pinch espresso powder optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10-inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper if desired.
  • If using espresso powder, dissolve it into the warm water.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, warm espresso water, coffee, vanilla, and vinegar.
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Pour batter into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the top evenly.
  • Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  • Allow cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  • To make the glaze, combine water, cocoa powder, and espresso powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth and slightly steaming.
  • Add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir until mostly smooth.
  • Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted and glossy.
  • Let glaze cool for 5–10 minutes until warm, but not hot.
  • Pour glaze evenly over the cooled cake and spread gently if needed. (Glaze has the potential to drip over the sides, so be cautious when pouring).
  • Let glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.