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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch sheet cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and sugar. This ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry ingredients, add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and well-combined.
- Add Boiling Water: Gradually pour in the boiling water, mixing as you go. This will thin the batter out slightly, which is normal. The boiling water adds moisture to the cake and makes it incredibly soft.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before adding the filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Filling
- Whip the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the heavy cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the filling seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk to adjust the consistency.
- Spread the Filling: Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the creamy filling evenly over the top of the cake using a spatula. Be gentle to avoid disrupting the cake.
Step 3: Make the Ganache
- Heat the Cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, but do not let it come to a boil.
- Add the Chocolate: Remove the cream from the heat and add the chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate). Let the mixture sit for 1-2 minutes to soften the chocolate, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the Ganache: Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring it over the top of the filled cake. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over the surface, letting it drip over the edges for a beautiful finish.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
- Chill the Cake: For the best results, let the cake chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the ganache to set and the creamy filling to firm up slightly.
- Cut and Enjoy: Once the ganache has set, cut the cake into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy the indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth layers of chocolate goodness!
Tips for Perfect Fluffy Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest batter and filling, ensure that your eggs, milk, and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: While it’s important to mix the batter well, avoid overmixing once you’ve added the dry ingredients. Overmixing can make the cake dense rather than light and fluffy.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet filling, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the filling to taste.
- Make It Ahead: This cake can be made a day in advance. In fact, the flavors meld together beautifully when it’s allowed to sit overnight in the fridge, making it the perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings.
Variations and Customizations
- Add Some Fruit: For a fruity twist, try adding fresh raspberries, strawberries, or banana slices on top of the creamy filling before adding the ganache. The fruit’s natural sweetness will complement the rich chocolate flavor.
- Flavor the Ganache: If you prefer a flavored ganache, you can add a splash of vanilla extract, coffee, or orange zest to the cream before mixing with the chocolate.
- Nutty Topping: For some extra texture, sprinkle crushed nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans on top of the ganache before it sets.
Conclusion
This Fluffy Chocolate Sheet Cake with Creamy Filling and Ganache is the ultimate indulgent dessert, offering the perfect balance of rich chocolate, creamy filling, and glossy ganache. It’s simple to make, yet looks and tastes like a bakery masterpiece. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this cake will undoubtedly satisfy your sweet tooth and impress anyone lucky enough to get a slice.
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