Sheet cakes are terrific! They bake in just 15 minutes and can easily serve at least 20!

For a holiday version, I created a moist, chocolate sheet cake with a simple and sweet peppermint frosting. It’s a way to satisfy that sweet craving without committing to a large slice of a layered cake. Perfect to bring to a holiday gathering- May want to indulge in more than one. When sliced, this cake can be picked up or enjoyed with a fork.

Sheet cakes, particularly of the Texas variety, tend to have a thinner, glossy icing that is smoothed over the warm cake. I chose to allow the cake to cool and use a cream cheese-based peppermint frosting. Then, I sprinkled with chopped candy cane Hershey kisses. You could also use crushed candy canes.

‍

‍

Ingredients

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Chocolate chips, melted
• Vanilla
• Instant coffee + water
• Applesauce
• Greek yogurt
• Milk (can use dairy free)
• Eggs
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cocoa powder
• Gluten free flour blend

Peppermint Icing

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Milk or cream
• Vanilla
• Peppermint extract
• Powdered sugar
• Candy cane Hershey's kisses

‍

How to Make a Gluten Free Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peppermint Icing

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the butter, brown sugar, melted chocolate, and vanilla. In a small dish, stir together the instant coffee and water. Then, whisk in the coffee extract, applesauce, Greek yogurt, and milk. Next, whisk in the eggs, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and gluten free flour blend. 
3. Grease or line a 9x13 jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spread the batter evenly in the pan using a spatula.  Bake for 12-16 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter. Then, beat in the milk/cream, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Finally, beat in the powdered sugar.
5. Spread the peppermint frosting over the cooled cake with a knife or an offset spatula. Next, sprinkle with the crushed candy cane Hershey’s kisses. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

‍

What is a sheet cake?

Sheet cake is baked in a large, shallow pan, like a jelly roll pan. Regular cakes are typically baked in a 9x13 baking dish or round cake pans. Texas sheet cake is a chocolate sheet cake with a glossy ganache icing and topped with chopped pecans. 

‍

Can I use a box mix to make a sheet cake?

Yes, if you’re short on time- a boxed cake mix can be used. In general, sheet cakes are known for being moist. You would also need to reduce the baking time from the box, as using a jellyroll pan will create a thinner cake.

‍

‍

Craving more???

Gluten Free Eggnog Cookies

Gluten Free Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Gluten Free Brownie Cookies