Ingredients:

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter, cubed
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 cup Boiling Water or Hot Brewed Coffee
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (for icing)
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (for icing)
  • 1/3 cup Milk (for icing)
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted (for icing)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (for icing)
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans (optional, for icing)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 13x9 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Create a well in the centre.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine the cubed butter, cocoa powder, and the boiling water/coffee. Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined and smooth.
  5. In a separate small bowl, lightly whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract together.
  6. Pour the wet ingredients into the chocolate batter and mix until just incorporated (do not overmix!).
  7. Pour the thin batter into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted near the centre comes out with moist crumbs attached.
  9. While the cake is baking, prepare the icing: In a small saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until melted and uniform. Remove immediately from heat.
  10. Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl. Pour the hot chocolate/butter mixture over the sugar, add the vanilla and pecans (if using), and whisk quickly until the icing is smooth and glossy.
  11. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour the warm icing evenly over the hot cake.
  12. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.