Go Back
easy-chocolate-traybake-cake_feature

Easy Chocolate Traybake: Your New Favorite Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

This chocolate traybake recipe is a simple yet impressive dessert that combines moist chocolate sponge with rich fudgy icing, all baked in one pan for maximum convenience. Perfect for serving crowds, it's versatile for parties, bake sales, or everyday treats with minimal preparation time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
  4. Slowly add the boiling water to the batter while stirring continuously. The batter will be thin, which is normal and contributes to the moist texture.
  5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
  6. While the cake cools, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until you achieve a spreadable consistency.
  7. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the fudgy icing evenly over the top. Cut into squares and serve. For easier slicing, you can chill the iced cake for 15-20 minutes first.

Notes

Spoon flour into measuring cup and level off—don't scoop directly from bag. Mix only until combined to avoid overmixing. Cool cake completely before icing for best results. Chill iced cake briefly for easier slicing.