Looking for a Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe

I don't have a recipe, but if you want to save some time and effort, Byerly's/Lund's offers a free cake for first birthdays. Also, I do a lot of children's birthdays at my daycare and white cake is easier to clean up than chocolate, but first birthdays are usually more for adults, so chocolate might be fine too.

hi S.,
i use a box chocolate cake mix and add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon(sp?) to the batter. it gives it a wonderful homemade flavor with out the work. you can then frost how you wish and enjoy!
L.
mom to gentry and ainsley 11/03

There is a children's story by Patricia Polacco called "Thunder Cake" available by request through the library system (it's also still in print and available in paperback). It is a story about a grandmother who teaches her granddaughter not to be afraid of thunderstorms by showing her how to bake "Thunder Cake." There is a recipe at the end of the story and it is a really really delicious chocolate cake that can be baked in sheet cake form (we've done it). My son really took to the story and loves the idea of having Thundercake for his birthday!

My mom makes this recipe for EVERY birthday. She usually makes a 3 layer cake, but I made it for my son's 2nd birthday and it made one regular rectangular (9 x 12) cake pan very nicely. It is SUPER EASY and VERY TASTY. My favorite kind of baking... no one could mess it up :) Her instructions are included - she sent it to me a few months ago for our son's party.

Also included is her frosting recipe which is also very good.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake (or Cupcakes)

2 cups cake flour (1 3/4 cups regular flour)
1 3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups milk
3/4 cup shortening (I use butter)
3 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon double acting baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour cake pans (if using layer cake pans, makes 3 8" layers)

Measure all ingredients into large bowl. With mixer on low speed beat until well mixed constantly scraping the sides of the bowl. At high speed, bean 5 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionaly.

Pour into prepared cake pan(s). Or, spoon into muffin cups for cupcakes.
Layer cakes take 20-25 minutes, cupcakes 20.
Two nine inch layers will take 30-35 minutes (almost too much batter for two 9 inch layers).
Sheet cake: not sure how long to bake, I think it took closer to 35 minutes but watch it close after 20 or 25 minutes.

Chocolate Butter-cream Frosting:

1 16 ounce package powdered sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons of milk or half and half (more if needed to make the icing of good spreading consistancy)

I like to make things from scratch but you know I make all my sheet cakes from a box because it is so much easier and people really seem to like it. I use two boxes for a sheet cake. Hope this helps.