Love and Olive Oil
Chocolate Blackout Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbs

Chocolate Blackout Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbs

This chocolate blackout sheet cake is for serious chocolate lovers only, topped with dark chocolate glaze and a layer of sweet and salty cookie crumbles.

Darker than the darkest night, this sheet cake recipe takes dark chocolate to entirely new depths. The cake itself is moist and surprisingly light, with an intense dark chocolate flavor that takes center stage. Add to that a rich chocolate glaze and crunchy cookie crumbs liberally sprinkled on top and you’ve got yourself one heck of a sheet cake.

Ultra dark chocolate sheet cake with bittersweet chocolate glaze and chocolate cookie crumbs

Set your expectations aside: this is unlike any chocolate sheet cake you’ve ever encountered. Typical it is not. Far from it.

It’s is a true grown-up chocolate cake with a intensity of flavor unlike any cake I’ve made before. Comparing this cake to a typical Texas sheet cake is like comparing a piece of expensive ultra dark chocolate and a gas station candy bar. I mean, talk about night and day.

For one thing, it’s not nearly as sweet as most chocolate sheet cakes, with a more intense chocolate flavor thanks mostly to the addition of black cocoa as well as Dutch processed. 

The glaze falls somewhere in between a chocolate donut glaze and silky smooth, bittersweet chocolate ganache. The best of both worlds, if you will, and certainly not your typical shiny and saccharine sheet cake glaze (and I really don’t mean to keep ripping on Texas sheet cake here, I actually like them, but most people are familiar with what a Texas sheet cake is so it makes a good reference point to help me describe what this cake is, and what it is not).

The final touch is the chocolate cookie crumb, adapted from Christina Tosi’s recipe. The crunchy, salty crumbs taste like a grown up Oreo cookie, less sweet and with a more pronounced chocolate bitterness (in a pinch you could use crushed up Oreos here instead). They’re also delightfully salty, the perfect textural contrast and flavor amplifier.

It’s the combination of the glaze, crumb, and a liberal dose of sprinkles that makes this cake so gloriously messy. You’ll have crumbs and sprinkles on your lap and smudges of chocolate on your face, but, you know what? You won’t care because it’ll be the best piece of chocolate cake you’ve ever devoured.

Ultra Dark Chocolate Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles and rainbow sprinkles

I debated long and hard what to call this cake, since plain old ‘chocolate sheet cake’ didn’t seem quite descriptive of just HOW dark this chocolate cake is.

I mean, what’s darker than dark chocolate? If there were such a word to describe it I’d surely be using it here.

Someone looking for a basic chocolate sheet cake probably won’t like this recipe. And the last thing I want to do is disappoint. So if you’re after a barely brown chocolate sheet cake with an overly sweet powdered sugar glaze, best look elsewhere.

I toyed with calling it midnight cake, or black magic cake, even eclipse cake was an idea that came up in the facebook group. But ultimately I went with blackout, as the classic Brooklyn Blackout cake features a similar layer of cookie crumbs that seemed like a fitting descriptor.

Bittersweet Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe Dark Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles

It’s hard to ignore the sheer simplicity of sheet cakes. Sure I’ve managed to make it a bit more complex, what with the homemade chocolate crumb and all, but still, there’s no tricky stacking, trimming or fancy frosting involved.

Just bake the cake in a 13-by-9-inch cake pan (preferably a metal one with nice square corners). Pour on the glaze while the cake is still lukewarm, then dump handfuls of cookie crumbs and sprinkles on top.

Let it set for a bit and then dig in!

Want a slice of this Dark Chocolate Blackout Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles This Blackout Sheet Cake is ultra dark, complete with a chocolate glaze and crunchy cookie crumbs on top!

Like any chocolate dessert where the primary flavor comes from the cocoa, quality matters.

For an even darker chocolate cake, I swapped 2 tablespoons of the already dark Dutch-process cocoa for Black cocoa powder (I used Guittard Cocoa Noir, and yes I have a 5lb bucket of it, why do you ask?) Black cocoa is further alkalized to make it even darker even than Dutch-processed. Keep in mind, however, that this additional processing results in a lower-fat product, so you don’t want to use all black cocoa in this recipe or your cake will end up too dry.

My favorite Dutch-process cocoa powder is Cacao Barry Extra Brute. Seriously, get yourself some. It’s the best value for one of the best quality cocoas on the market. I haven’t purchased grocery store cocoa powder in years.

I have not tried this recipe using natural cocoa and can’t attest as to the results; you’ll likely end up with a cake that’s much lighter in color and more bitter/acidic due to the increased acidity of the natural cocoa. My advice? Buy yourself a big bag of Cacao Barry and your baked goods will be all the better for it.

Chocolate Blackout Sheet Cake Recipe Blackout Chocolate Sheet Cake topped with Chocolate Glaze and Cookie Crumbles Blackout Sheet Cake is darker than dark chocolate, super moist and topped with a rich chocolate glaze and homemade cookie crumbs!

The sprinkles are optional, of course, but they sort of give this cake an almost galaxy-like feel. I used a sprinkle medley called Splendor from Sweetapolita (<<< use code LOVEANDOLIVEOIL15 and get 15% off your first order!) Unfortunately this particular medley appears to be discontinued, but there are plenty of other fabulous options.

Because, let’s admit it, everything is better with sprinkles.

Blackout Chocolate Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles

Blackout Chocolate Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles

This ultra dark chocolate sheet cake is for serious chocolate lovers: with a dark chocolate glaze and a layer of crunchy cookie crumbles to top it off.
5 stars (5 reviews)

Ingredients

For Chocolate Crumble:

  • cup / 85 g all-purpose flour
  • cup / 65 g Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
  • ½ cup / 100g granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons / 84 g unsalted butter, melted

For Cake:

  • 1 ¼ cup / 160 g all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup / 75 g Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted*
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups / 300 g granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup / 280 g lowfat buttermilk**
  • cup / 72 g vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Chocolate Glaze:

  • 1 cup / 240 g heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • ½ cup / 100 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons / 44 g light corn syrup or golden syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup / 60 g dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
  • ½ cup / 50 g Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted*
  • pinch salt
  • sprinkles, optional, for decoration

Instructions

For Chocolate Crumbles:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch and salt until evenly incorporated.
  • Drizzle in melted butter and mix until no dry ingredients remain and mixture forms rough crumbles.
  • Dump onto prepared baking sheet, spreading crumbles out into a single layer and breaking up any extra large pieces.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once part way through. Let cool completely. Crumbs can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.

For Chocolate Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter or grease a light or medium colored metal 13-by-9-inch baking pan (if using a dark metal or glass baking pan, I recommend reducing the baking temperature by 25 degrees to avoid overcooking).
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • In another bowl or large 4-cup glass measuring cup, whisk together sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla until evenly incorporated. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in buttermilk mixture. Whisk until combined and no dry ingredients remain.
  • Pour into prepared pan, spreading the batter into an even layer.
  • Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until center is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out completely clean. If it still has some moist crumbs attached to it, bake it for a few minutes more.
  • Let cool on a wire rack while you prepare the glaze.

For Glaze:

  • Combine cream, butter, sugar and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir gently over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and chocolate chips. Gently stir until chips are completely melted (if the residual heat isn't quite enough to melt the chips, return to burner set to low for 30 seconds, then remove from heat and continue stirring).
  • Sifted cocoa powder over top and whisk until smooth.
  • Pour glaze over lukewarm cake. Generously sprinkle chocolate crumbles over top of liquid glaze, along with any sprinkles as desired for decoration.
  • Let cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
  • Cake will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • *For an ultra dark chocolate cake, substitute 2 tablespoons/20 grams of black cocoa powder in place of the Dutch process. Don't use all black cocoa, however, as it is significantly lower in fat and will result in a drier cake.
  • **If using thick, whole buttermilk, use 1 cup buttermilk and 1/4 cup water.
All images and text © for Love & Olive Oil.

Did you make this recipe?

Let us know what you think! Leave a Review below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #loveandoliveoil.

There may be affiliate links in this post. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!




19 Comments

  1. I did not see your note about using low-fat buttermilk and used full fat buttermilk which I had in my fridge.  Would that make the cake denser?  

  2. It’s Thursday  and the cake is in the oven.  Can I make the Crumble on Friday and store it in a container until Sunday before spreading onto cake?  I live in Florida and our humidity is high.  
    Thanks
    Pam

    • This cake is tricky to make ahead as the glaze is added to the still-warm cake and the crumb topping needs to be added while the glaze is still wet (otherwise the crumbs won’t stick). The crumbs may loose their crunch especially in high-humidity climates. You could try baking and freezing the unglazed cake, then thaw and adding the glaze/crumble the day of. The glaze won’t ‘sink’ into the cake quite as much if it’s glazed while cool, but it’s probably your best bet for making it ahead of time.

  3. I made this cake  last year for my daughter’s birthday and she loved it . I am to planning to make it again for tomorrow’s BBQ. Is it if I can make the cake today add the syrup but put the crumbles tomorrow just before I serve. 

  4. I made this cake for my nephews graduation party and it was a hit! Everyone one loved it. I’d like to make this again but as cupcakes maybe?

  5. Hello! Could this cake be made in a jelly roll pan like a traditional Texas Sheet Cake?

    • In theory it should! I can’t speak to the exact scaling (you’d want to compare volumes of the individual pans), and also will need to decrease baking time to account for the thinner cake.

    • Just wanted to bump this up – if you want to make this cake in a 13×18 sheet pan (1″ deep), you should 1.5x the recipe. Baking time will be slightly less to account for the thinner cake. Or, if you happen to have a 2″ deep half sheet cake pan, then you can double it.

  6. I just made this for a Galentines Day party and it was amazing! Delicious chocolate flavor and the crumbs were a great touch. Thanks so much for sharing!

  7. I love chocolate cakes. Especially with this topping cake is looking more beautiful and delicious. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.

  8. I am serving this cake for our son’s wedding the weekend. I actually hate baking but the pictures and the description sucked me in! I did two test bakes much to the delight of Husband and friends. The cake itself also freezes very well with “assembly” the day of serving. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  9. How does it look delicious! I’ll try to cook, I hope I will succeed :)

  10. Thank you so much for sharing recipes.Great blog!!!

  11. It looks very yummy.

    Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.

  12. This cake is soooo good!  I made it yesterday for a dinner party last night.  Everyone loved it, including my husband who doesn’t care for dark chocolate.  I thought for sure he would say it was too rich but not the case!  The sweet and salty cookie crumb really impressed.  We were all fighting over the crumbs left in the pan.  Thanks for this recipe!

  13. YUM! This cake looks absolutely gorgeous! So delicious and perfect for hosting ?

  14. whoa, I’m impressed, super creative and fun with the extra tweak of the cookie crumbs, thank you!

Did you make this recipe? Leave a Review »