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Easy Chocolate Traybake: The Ultimate One-Pan Chocolate Cake Recipe

This easy chocolate traybake is the perfect chocolate cake recipe that feeds a crowd without any fuss. With its moist, tender crumb and rich fudgy icing, this one-pan wonder comes together quickly and is perfect for parties, bake sales, or satisfying chocolate cravings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined
  2. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined
  3. Gradually add boiling water to the batter, stirring constantly. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely in pan before icing
  5. While cake cools, prepare icing. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in cocoa powder and milk until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and glossy
  6. Pour warm icing over cooled cake and spread evenly with a spatula. Allow icing to set for about 10 minutes before slicing

Notes

Ensure ingredients are room temperature for best texture, don't overmix batter, cool cake completely before icing, and test for doneness at 30 minutes