An old-fashioned sheet cake with great chocolate flavor. The top layer is crackly outside but remains gooey and rather soft inside. It keeps well and is perfect for potlucks, casual parties, or when you simply crave chocolate! Have it slightly underbaked for a fudgier experience.
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Gooey and irresistible
I think this is one of the most sinful chocolate cakes ever. So we eat it regularly, lol.
It's great to snack on during long, festive weekends, to bake when you have kids and teenagers at home, and to take to a barbecue or potluck.
A crowd-pleaser like you wouldn't believe it. Or maybe you would. Some say it's the best chocolate cake I make. That's debatable because, you know, we already have the chocolate bourbon cake in the archives. But still.
It appeals to everyone, comes together really quickly, and has that magic ingredient that is condensed milk. Really, what recipe that has condensed milk isn't great? I dare you. I can give enough proof of this with the margarita key lime pie, the best chocolate fudge EVER, and my favorite sweet potato pie. The proof is in the pudding, definitively.
The frosting alone can be eaten with a spoon; that's how incredibly yummy it is.
Ingredient list
- Cocoa powder: always use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Sweetened condensed milk: it's a must ingredient and can't be substituted. Use the regular type, not unsweetened or evaporated milk.
- Brown sugar: it makes a subtle difference in flavor and moistness, but you can use regular white sugar if that's all you have.
- Unsalted butter.
- Eggs: fresh, large.
- Powdered sugar: also called icing sugar or confectioners' sugar, is powder-like and needs to create that crackly top.
- Flour: both all-purpose and cake flour work well for this recipe.
- Salt.
- Vanilla extract.
- Ground cinnamon.
Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.
How to make this cake
- Stovetop: the first step takes place on the stove, where you need to mix butter with cocoa and water. Remove when it breaks into a boil. This will ensure the cocoa dissolves well and 'blooms' which means the flavor will be deeper.
- Dry ingredients: they need to be sifted. Do so in a large bowl where you'll be mixing the chocolate batter.
- Condensed milk: you'll be using a whole can, but it will be divided. You'll use ⅓ of the can for the cake batter and the rest for the chocolate glaze. I eyeball it, but if you're uncomfortable doing that, you can measure or weigh it first and divide it accordingly.
- Final batter: it's quite thin, so I recommend you pour it into the prepared pan near the oven.
The sweetened condensed milk frosting
It's essential to make this such a decadent chocolate cake recipe.
The frosting or icing should be sweet, crackly, and with enough chocolate flavor. This one checks all the boxes, of course. That's why we love it so much.
Variation: sprinkle some chopped walnuts on the icing after you pour it over the hot cake.
Step-by-step VIDEO
Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, utensils and equipment needed, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Baking time: consider that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as possible, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend tracking how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
- Icing or glaze: always pour it over the warm cake so it seeps a little into the top of the cake. Or make a poke cake: pierce or poke holes with a brochette stick or toothpick on the surface of the cake when it comes out of the oven. Then pour the chocolate icing over them. It will seep more into the baked cake and the whole thing will be fudgier.
- Cake pan: I use a rectangular pan without a removable bottom and serve the cake straight from the pan. This is because when you pour the frosting some of it goes to the sides, and spills down the bottom sometimes. But you can use a pan with removable bottom, refrigerate the cake after you glaze it and then remove it before serving.
- Fudgier cake: if you slightly underbake the cake, it will be fudgier. And even more amazing in my opinion!
- Walnuts: sometimes, I sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the icing before it sets.
- Serving it: I like it as is, straight from the pan. But you can recreate the so-called 'better than sex cake' by adding a thick layer of whipped cream (or cool whip topping), drizzling caramel sauce or dulce de leche over it, and adding chopped heath bars or toffee bits on top. A decadent dessert for those with a sweet tooth!
- Variation: for a more sophisticated version, add a tablespoon of your favorite liquor (I love Kahlua, Baileys, and Cointreau) to the batter and the icing. Or whisky/bourbon; it works so well with chocolate. Did I tell you about my favorite cake, the Bourbon Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake? It's beyond amazing.
Related recipes you might like:
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Gooey Chocolate Sheet Cake (with condensed milk)
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An old-fashioned sheet cake with great chocolate flavor. The top layer is crackly outside but remains gooey and rather soft inside. It keeps well and is perfect for potlucks, casual parties, or when you simply crave chocolate! Have it slightly underbaked for a fudgier experience.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, or cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, light or dark, firmly packed
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces or 397g, divided
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar, also known as icing sugar or confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C).
- Grease a 13x18-inch (33x45cm) pan. I usually serve it directly from the pan or cake tin, but if you want to remove it and serve it on a platter, use a cake pan with a removable bottom and line it with parchment paper. See Notes below.
For the cake:
- Melt 1 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan.
- Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Sift 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 ½ cups brown sugar and combine.
- Make a well in the center and add the cocoa mixture, ⅓ can (eyeball it) of the condensed milk, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes, until the cake springs back and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out with some moist crumbs attached. It should not come out wet. Don't overbake it. This is not a very tall cake so it doesn't take long to bake. But all ovens are different so check to see if it's done.
For the frosting:
- Have it ready before the cake comes out of the oven.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a small saucepan (I use the same one as before without cleaning it).
- Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and the rest of the condensed milk. Mix well.
- Add 1 cup powdered sugar and mix until completely smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the warm chocolate cake as it comes out of the oven. Or make a poke cake: pierce or poke holes in the surface of the cake with a brochette stick or toothpick when it comes out of the oven. Then pour the chocolate icing over them. It will seep more into the baked cake, and the whole thing will be fudgier.
- Let cool completely. If removing it from the pan, refrigerate it first just until firm so it's easier to remove.
- Refrigerate leftovers, well covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Notes
Cake pan: I sometimes use a rectangular pan without a removable bottom and serve the cake straight from the pan. This is because when you pour the frosting, some of it spills over to the sides and sometimes down the bottom. However, you can use a pan with a removable bottom and line it (see below). Refrigerate the cake after you glaze it, then remove it from the pan before serving.
To line the pan, use strips of parchment paper to line the greased pan. When ready to cut and serve, they will help you remove the whole cake. The strip (or strips) must be as wide as the pan. 1 strip: cover the bottom and two short sides. The two long sides will be greased but not lined. 2 strips: make a criss-cross pattern and cover the bottom (twice) and all sides. One strip will be wider than the other.
Sweetened condensed milk: it's a must ingredient and can't be substituted. Use regular milk, not unsweetened or evaporated milk.
Baking time: Please note that all ovens and pans can vary, even if they appear similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as possible, but it might take you more or less time. You can use an oven thermometer to check that your oven is at the correct temperature. I recommend tracking how your oven works and identifying any minor details that may need adjustment.
Fudgier cake: If you slightly underbake the cake, it will be fudgier. And even more amazing, in my opinion!
Walnuts: Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the icing before it sets.
Serving it: I like it as is, straight from the pan. However, you can recreate the so-called 'better than sex cake' by adding a thick layer of whipped cream, drizzling caramel sauce or dulce de leche over it, and topping it with chopped Heath bars or toffee bits. A decadent dessert for those with a sweet tooth!
Variation: For a more sophisticated version, add a tablespoon of your favorite liquor (I love Kahlúa, Baileys, and Cointreau) to both the batter and the icing. Or whisky/bourbon; it works so well with chocolate.
Cocoa powder: Always use unsweetened cocoa powder. In my experience, the dark ones are the best (this does not apply to the super dark used for making homemade oreo cookies known as 'dark or black cocoa powder').
Cocoa powder: Always use unsweetened cocoa powder. In my experience, the dark ones are the best (this does not apply to the super dark used for making homemade oreo cookies known as 'dark or black cocoa powder').
Nutrition
Calories: 517kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 7gFat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 283mgPotassium: 266mgFiber: 2gSugar: 55gVitamin A: 719IUVitamin C: 1mg
Did you try this recipe?Let me know in the comments below!
Julie Forbes says
Sounds so delish but I’m totally confused about the way you line the tin for this cake? Julie
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Julie! The best way is to make a crisscross pattern with two pieces of parchment paper. They are placed in opposite directions and both cover the bottom and two of the sides. The angles will not be covered. Does this help?
EM says
We Love the Homely Sweetness of it
Isabella says
It's the best recipe I've ever found! I've made it too many times to count!
Paula Montenegro says
Thanks for letting me know Isabella!
Debra says
Can I use a 9x13 pan do I need to double the recipe
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Debra! The pan used is 13x18 inches, so you have to HALVE the recipe to make it in a 9x13 pan.
Debra says
Can I use a 9x13 pan
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Debra, you have to use two 9x13 pans for the whole recipe. Or make half the recipe and use one.
Monica says
I halved the recipe to use a 9 x 13 pan. The batter doesn't come up very far at all. Is that correct? It just seems like there isn't going to be much cake.
Diane Marie says
Could you use this recipe to make cupcakes?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Diane, it's a fudgy cake and a soft glaze so be careful when adding the glaze as it will be a bit of a mess. You might get some cake stuck in the paper liners.
Elizabeth says
I want to make this recipe but I do not have a sheet pan. Do you think I could make it in a 9" X 13" cake pan?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Elizabeth, 9x13 inches is half the size of the pan I use, so I recommend you make half the recipe.
Donna says
Paula, yes this a vintage recipe! I am 74 years old. My mother made a ""brownie recipe" very similar to your Chocolate Condensed Milk Cake when our family lived on a farm in southern Iowa. At that time, we had fresh eggs, raw milk, heavy cream! (raw-meaning it was right from the cow, separated into milk and cream and refrigerated.)!! Yes, my mother also put coffee in the frosting! We knew this dessert as 'Chocolate Creams'. In the summertime my dad would make homemade vanilla ice cream!! What a treat on a Sunday afternoon! No farm work on that day until milking time in the evening!!
Paula Montenegro says
I love this Donna! I'm 54 and also had milk's cream (top foam) growing up, directly from the milking yard. Dairy was so different back then. I love that these were brownies and it's not hard to imagine as the cake can be very fudgy if removed from the oven at the right time. Have a great rest of the year Donna.