Description
Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake is a moist and rich chocolate cake made with mayonnaise for extra tenderness, layered with a creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting. This old-fashioned Southern dessert comes together quickly and offers a perfect balance of chocolate flavor and velvety icing, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 2/3 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/3 cups hot water
Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with baking spray that contains flour or alternatively grease and flour the pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder until well combined. Set aside.
- Combine Eggs and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until light and bubbly.
- Add Mayonnaise: With the mixer on low speed, add the mayonnaise and beat just until combined, ensuring the batter remains smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Water: Alternately add the flour mixture in three additions and hot water in two additions to the wet mixture, beating just until each addition is mixed in before adding the next. This helps maintain a smooth batter without overmixing.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.
- Mix Cocoa and Sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and powdered sugar until evenly combined.
- Combine Frosting Components: Beat half of the cocoa-sugar mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Then add the heavy cream and beat until incorporated. Add the remaining cocoa-sugar mixture and beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy cream to reach desired consistency.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled cake, smoothing the top with a spatula or knife. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake is exceptionally moist due to the mayonnaise, which acts as a fat substitute and adds tenderness.
- The thick chocolate cream cheese frosting complements the rich cake, making it a decadent dessert.
- This recipe is a nostalgic Southern favorite, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
- Be sure not to overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/16 of cake)
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 43 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
