As a homeschool mom I’m always looking for alternative ways to teach my kids math, fractions, and chemistry! It just so happens that baking covers all 3 of these subjects — and then some, including the culinary arts. This easy chocolate cake recipe for kids is the best way to incorporate real life lessons into your day to day homeschooling lessons.
Every kid needs to know how to make a chocolate cake. It’s definitely one of the core subjects. And this is such an easy chocolate cake recipe for kids.
I include our kids in baking and housekeeping responsibilities as early as they are capable. Baking is one of the chores they are most eager to want to help with. They love to help mix the ingredients, and it’s always a great way to teach responsibility. We all help to clean up and then we get to enjoy the rewards of our efforts.
Once they learn how to read, I let them make the recipe all on their own; or at least with as little supervision as possible. Of course, I’m always on hand to oversee and answer questions, but the best part of this type of lesson is that they get to do it by themselves.
We start with simple recipes just like this easy chocolate cake recipe for kids. They read the recipe and follow the directions. They have to measure, emulsify, mix, and bake. Part of the fun and learning is the sense of accomplishment from seeing the project from start to finish.
And then, of course, indulging in the final result.
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe for Kids
My kids love to make treats in the kitchen. Mostly, I think they just like to steal spoonful’s of batter, chocolate chips, and bites of cake. They definitely love licking the bowl.
Nothing can incentivize a kid to do something faster than the reward of licking the bowl.
This easy chocolate cake recipe for kids is a simple chocolate sheet cake. It can be converted into cupcakes, a layer cake, or a pan cake but nothing says easy like a sheet cake. It is deliciously chocolatey, fantastically simple, and superbly moist.
This is the cake you make with a toddler who just can’t wait to stick their hands in a bag of sugar.
‘So Easy a Kid Can Make it Chocolate Cake’
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Half Sheet Cake Pan
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar +/-
Instructions
Cake
- Melt butter and water on stove over low heat, or in the microwave until melted
- Set aside
- In large bowl combine remaining ingredients
- Stir together as best you can
- When the mixture is too thick, pour melted butter and water over mixture
- Stir until smooth
- Pour into a well greased 15 x 10 half sheet cake pan
- Bake at Fahrenheit 350° for 20 minutes
- Remove from oven and immediately cover with frosting
Frosting
- Melt butter and milk over low heat, or in a microwave safe bowl
- Transfer to a medium size bowl
- Add remaining ingredients and beat with electric mixer until smooth
Finalè
- Pour frosting and spread over cake while still warm
- Let cake cool completely and slice to serve
One Bowl
This recipe is so simple! You just need one bowl, and one sheet pan.
After you make the cake and put it in the oven, use the same bowl to make the frosting. You don’t even need to wash it out. It’s all going in the same belly, and chocolate is chocolate!
Can I Reduce this Recipe?
Yes!
You can cut this recipe in half and cook in a quarter sheet pan. It turns out beautifully. It’s actually the pan I made this in for the pictures shown here.
How Do I Convert this Recipe to Cupcakes?
You’ll make the recipe same as directed above, but increase the flour by 1/4 cup. This recipe will make 24 cupcakes and be sure to fill the cupcake liners no more than 1/2 full.
Just like I did in with my Orange Chocolate Cupcakes!
To make a layer cake, bake in two prepared 9″ cake pans.
To make a pan cake, bake in a 9×13 casserole dish.
Why Do you Frost this Cake Warm?
- It’s easy.
- It’s easy and it’s done. No waiting around or coming back to it.
- More importantly, the frosting becomes part of the cake rather than a toping for the cake. It melts into the warm cake and forms a crust.
It’s amazing. I kind of want to do it on every cake I ever make.
Make This Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe for Kids!
If you make this cake, tag @Fahrenheit350sweets on Instagram so I can see it! And I’d love it if you left a review and a comment below!
LOVE Texas sheet cake! YUM!
I make a white sheet cake, but will try this one now! Looks really good and your high opinion of it makes me put it at the top of my to try list. 🙂
I am doing dessert for a big group and this might be a winner!
Texas Sheet Cake was a staple at our house growing up too! You've inspired me to give it a try!
LOL – I think you should have to be FROM Texas to make Texas sheet cake :o) This recipe looks a little different than mine, but it still looks yummy!