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a slice of vanilla sheet cake in a white baking dish being held by a blue cake spatula.

Easy Vanilla Sheet Cake with Warm Chocolate Glaze

This Easy Vanilla Sheet Cake with Warm Chocolate Glaze is the perfect dessert for any special occasion or casual weeknight treat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake Batter

  • 3/4 cups butter 1 1/2 sticks or 12 tablespoons
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp almond extract

Warm Chocolate Glaze

  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make the Vanilla Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 13"x9" baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan over low heat, add the butter and water. Allow the butter to melt, remove from heat, and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
  • To the saucepan, whisk in the sugar and buttermilk. Add the eggs and whisk well.
  • Add the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, and salt and mix well. Pour in the vanilla extract and almond extract and stir well.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-28 minutes. Check the vanilla cake at 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. The toothpick should come out clean.*
  • Place the cake on a wire rack.

Make the Chocolate Glaze

  • While the cake is baking, make the chocolate glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the sifted cocoa powder.
  • Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the powdered sugar and milk, alternating between the two, until the glaze is smooth and well combined. Add in the vanilla extract and stir well.
  • Pour the chocolate glaze over the warm cake and smooth the icing out with a spatula.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

*if your cake still needs more baking time but it's getting too brown, tent the cake with aluminum foil while it continues to bake.
Storage Instructions for Vanilla Sheet Cake
Once the vanilla sheet cake has completely cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. 
Store on your counter at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep the cake fresh and moist.