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Home » Recipes » Homemade Chocolate Brownie Cake Recipe

Homemade Chocolate Brownie Cake Recipe

Published: Sep 23, 2017 · Modified: Jul 27, 2023 by Lynda · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This homemade Chocolate Brownie Cake recipe creates a delicious hybrid of chocolate brownies and a Texas sheet cake. The cake is topped with luscious chocolate icing made from scratch.

Sliced chocolate brownie cake and a metal spatula.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪How To Make a Chocolate Brownie Cake
  • ⏲️ Baking Time
  • 📖 Recipe

Most brownie recipes only make an 8×8 or 9×9 batch. I came up with this Homemade Chocolate Brownie Cake in order to make a larger batch.

I combined some elements of a few recipes, tweaked them a little, and bam! These chocolate brownies are what some may call a Brownie Sheet Cake.

Mound of cocoa powder and sugar on a white background.

🥘 Ingredients

To make a 9×13 pan of chocolate brownie cake from scratch, you need the following ingredients:

Chocolate Syrup

  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Brownie Cake Batter

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons espresso powder
  • 10 tablespoons butter (= 1 stick + 2 tablespoons)
  • ¾ cup baking cocoa
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup chocolate chips
  • Chocolate Syrup

Chocolate Icing

  • 1¼ cups chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 1 stick butter

🔪How To Make a Chocolate Brownie Cake

Start off by making a simple chocolate syrup. Just sugar, cocoa, water, vanilla, and a little salt.

Boiling chocolate in a small saucepan.

The reason to make the syrup first is that it has to come to a boil and then cool. It will thicken some during the cooling period.

While the syrup is cooling, start the other aspects of the brownies, like preparing a 9×13 pan. I like to line it with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

All-purpose flour and espresso in a glass bowl.

Next, gather the other ingredients together. (Above is flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.)

Eggs in a small glass bowl.

It’s best to add eggs one at a time. I like to crack all of mine into a little glass bowl before adding them. You never know when you will run across a bad egg.

Now, microwave the butter until it is melted in a medium-size glass bowl. Add cocoa and oil and whisk until smooth.

Transfer the cocoa mixture to a bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in the sugar and add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla.

Gradually add the flour mixture. Pour in chocolate syrup and chocolate chips.

Brownie batter on a whisk attachment in a mixing bowl.

⏲️ Baking Time

Pour batter into prepared 13×9 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until done. Let cool before icing.

Baked brownie cake without icing.

This is how it looks before the icing is added.

Chocolate chips in a glass bowl with a stick of butter.

The icing is a simple chocolate glaze made with chocolate chips, butter, and a little corn syrup.

To make the icing, melt chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals on high, stirring well after each segment. (It took me a total of one minute + an additional 10 seconds.)

Add corn syrup and stir until smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes before pouring over brownies.

📖 Recipe

Sliced chocolate brownie cake and a metal spatula.

Chocolate Brownie Cake

Chocolate Brownie Cake – this dessert recipe is so good. It's a mix between a brownie and chocolate sheet cake. Yum!
4.60 from 49 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 492kcal
Author: Lynda

Ingredients

Chocolate Syrup

  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Brownie Batter

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tabelspoons espresso powder
  • 10 Tablespoons butter (1 stick + 2 tablespoons)
  • ¾ cup baking cocoa
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cups chocolate chips
  • Chocolate Syrup

Chocolate Icing

  • 1¼ cups chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)

Instructions

  • To make the syrup: in a medium or large saucepan, whisk the cocoa powder and sugar until well blended. Add water and whisk over medium-high until it starts to boil and becomes a little frothy. Continue boiling for approximately 3 minutes. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and add salt. Let cool.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom of 13×9 pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder and set aside.
  • Microwave butter until melted in a medium size glass bowl. Add cocoa and oil and whisk until smooth.
  • Transfer cocoa mixture to a bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture. Pour in chocolate syrup and chocolate chips.
  • Pour batter into prepared 13×9 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until done. Let cool before icing.
  • To make the icing: Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second intervals on high, stirring well after each segment. (It took me a total of one minute + an additional 10 seconds.) Add corn syrup and stir until smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes before pouring over brownies.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 340mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 53g
Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @SouthernKissedBlog or tag #southernkissed!
Iced brownie cake in a foil lined baking pan.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kathy Graziano says

    March 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    can you use fondant frosting on it need to decorate for a school project

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      March 16, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      You probably could. If my child had a school project, I think I would just use a box of cake mix to keep expenses down rather than make this from scratch.

      Reply
  2. doris stuart says

    January 08, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    well the brownie cake looks good but i would what the one person did was omitt the espresso powder but i wouldnt add anything in place of it. dont drink coffee and dont like the stuff with with coffee in it. and i woud make my own frosting to put on it . thanks

    Reply
  3. Jeanne B says

    July 20, 2020 at 10:14 am

    I made these and they were excellent! I did make two changes though. I don’t drink coffee, so I used onyx powder instead, it’s a very dark cocoa powder, like in Oreo cookies. Also, I was in a hurry so I substituted a layer of Nutella for the icing on top, which turned out delicious, of course, and softened the dark intensity of the brownies in a good way. Everyone gobbled these bad brownie boys up!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      July 20, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Thanks, Jeanne, for stopping by and leaving your comment. It made me happy to hear that they disappeared!

      Reply
  4. Jolene says

    July 01, 2020 at 1:18 am

    Made this recipe, a little over the top with all the sugar oil and butter and the taste wasn’t as good as I was hoping for.

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      July 02, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hate that they were not what you were hoping for. Honestly, at this stage in my life, I probably would find them too sweet and too rich.

      Reply
  5. Grace says

    April 14, 2020 at 8:33 pm

    Thank you for this recipe! I made these this week ( we added pecans to the icing) and it’s been hands down the best brownies I’ve ever made. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      April 15, 2020 at 6:57 am

      Your comment makes my heart happy! Thank you so much for sharing. I am so delighted you like the recipe. <3

      Reply
  6. Chris says

    January 03, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    Looks amazing. Can’t wait to try them. How much instant coffee instead of expresso?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      January 04, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      I would double the amount.

      Reply
  7. Ethel Anderson says

    June 04, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Would like to bake in a larger sheet cake pan would this work

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      June 05, 2019 at 6:24 am

      I am not sure. If you were to do that, you would have to adjust the baking time and/or temperature.

      Reply
  8. Sara says

    June 20, 2018 at 9:33 am

    I see the instructions to make the chocolate syrup, but no instructions as to what the syrup is for. Is it added to the brownie batter or just something to drizzle on top?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      June 20, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Look at step #5. It gets added to the batter to make it nice and chocolate-y. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Mai Cua says

    March 29, 2017 at 4:47 am

    I love this cake. It looks so amazing

    Reply
  10. Fernando says

    November 02, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    I’d like to know about espresso powder, because here in Brazil there isn’t it.

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      November 02, 2015 at 5:34 pm

      Do you have instant coffee available?

      Reply
  11. Judie Cox says

    August 15, 2015 at 7:20 am

    What is a concession stand for food?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      August 15, 2015 at 8:06 am

      The “concession stand” was a room full of food that was available for parents of children who were competing in the competition. Parents of children at the host school were asked to bring goodies for the visitors.

      Reply
  12. Vella says

    December 08, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    im from the south and these have been touched! I love them

    Reply
  13. Vella says

    December 08, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    hola at your girl omg! These were awesome!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      December 08, 2014 at 6:30 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  14. Packing my Suitcase says

    December 01, 2014 at 8:51 am

    Wow!! Thus is indeed a temptation… I love brownies, and I love baking them!! Recipe saved 😀
    Loved your blog by the way, I found it via 2 wise monkeys abroad 😀
    I will follow you on your social media channels, so we can keep in touch!
    Have a great week,
    Allane

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      December 01, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Thanks! I love the Wise Monkeys Abroad. Such a sweet, sweet couple!

      Reply
  15. Marilyn Lesniak says

    June 07, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Just a note to say I chose your Chocolate Sheetcake as my Featured Pick for Merry Monday #5. Congratulations! Please stop by at get your featured badge! http://www.marilynstreats.com

    Hope to see you again!

    Reply
  16. Marilyn Lesniak says

    June 02, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Marilyn from Merry Monday stopping by to say thanks for joining and hope to see you next week!

    Reply
  17. Jesica H says

    February 26, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    You must have been reading my mind because I couldn’t stop thinking about making brownies today! LOL.
    Pinning!

    Reply
  18. Jen says

    February 26, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    Those look so moist and delicious!

    Reply
  19. Sarah @Must Have Mom says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Mmm that looks tasty! Anything chocolate and brownie is fine by me!

    Reply
  20. Hanan says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    These remind me of those Little Debbie comic brownies. Love a good brownie!

    Reply
  21. Audrey at Barking Mad! says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I do NOT like chocolate. Not even the least little bit. BUT? I LOVE Brownies. LOVE THEM! Especially if they are fresh out of the oven, too hot to eat. YUM! And the crispier edges! Super-YUM!

    Reply
  22. Tamara H says

    February 08, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    What kind of chocolate chips did you use?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      February 08, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      I cannot recall what brand, but it was more than likely either Nestle, Publix, or Kroger’s Simple Truth Organic chocolate chips.

      Reply
  23. Tamara says

    February 06, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    What kind of chocolate chips did you use for the cake and icing?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      February 06, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Honestly, I don’t remember what brand, but it would probably have been Nestle, Publix brand, or possibly Kroger’s Simple Truth.

      Reply
  24. Ilia says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    5 stars
    Hey just wondering if it would still be yummy without the espresso powder? I don’t have any in my house due to not drinking coffee or using it in anything. They just look so yummy I really want to try them!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      January 29, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      I would imagine they should be fine without the espresso powder. If I did not have espresso powder I would still make them. The powder just helps to highlight the chocolate flavor.

      Reply
  25. Mickey says

    January 26, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    That looks awesome! I’ve never put icing on brownies, but clearly should be. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Mellisa says

    January 20, 2014 at 9:39 am

    Looks amazing. I love brownies.

    Reply
  27. vanessa: thequeenofswag says

    January 15, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    4 stars
    This looks amazing. I would eat the whole sheet myself. lol.

    Reply
  28. Tosha G. says

    January 06, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    My only question is are these cakey or fudgy? They look amazing!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      January 06, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      I would say that they are a blend of the two, if that makes any sense. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  29. Cat Davis says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Those are some good looking brownies. I never have much luck with them myself. Mine always end up hard and overbaked or soft and gooey/raw in the middle.

    Reply
  30. Marla says

    October 29, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    When do you add the stick of butter to the icing?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Thank you so much for catching that! Melt the butter with the chocolate chips in the microwave. (I went back and corrected the recipe.) 🙂

      Reply
  31. Katy says

    October 29, 2013 at 5:20 am

    This looks great! I also have to make some concession stand food in a couple of weeks. Maybe I’ll try your recipe.

    Reply
  32. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    October 28, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    I can’t believe you didn’t offer to send me some of these. What kind of friend are you? 😉 Those look sooooooooo good!

    Reply
  33. Tammy says

    October 28, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I believe my family would gobble that up! I made some Turtle Brownies this weekend, the pan is almost empty, ha ha!

    Reply
  34. HilLesha says

    October 27, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    5 stars
    That looks utterly amazing! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂

    Reply
  35. Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says

    October 27, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    That looks so decadent and delicious!

    Reply
  36. Jennifer @ The Quirky Momma says

    October 27, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    Now that’s the size of brownie recipe I needed! With a large family, this is perfect! Thank you!

    Reply
  37. Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says

    October 27, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Dang it! I really want some brownies now. Thanks for another great recipe that has me drooling.

    Reply
  38. Kait says

    October 27, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    OOoo how yummy! I bet my hubby would love this!

    Reply
  39. Katie says

    October 27, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    that looks SO rich!!

    Reply
  40. Jennifer H says

    October 27, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I should not of seen this before dinner. My tummy is grumbling! I love chocolate. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says

    October 27, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    Anything with a stick of butter in it has to be good. Looks amazing!

    Reply
  42. The Involuntary Housewife says

    October 26, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Oh, these look so good! Can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  43. Stephanie says

    October 26, 2013 at 10:11 pm

    Hello LOVER!!! This looks amazing!

    Reply
  44. Anne says

    October 26, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    Homemade brownies are delicious, I will have to try your recipe

    Reply
  45. Carla says

    October 26, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    OMG! This looks utterly amazing! My son makes something similar but I think he needs to add the syrup. I’m going to show him this.

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

    Reply
  46. Embracing The Good Life says

    October 26, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at brownie but then you took it over the top! I might do this for my little guys 2nd birthday! Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  47. Sandra (at) Coasahmom (dot) com says

    October 26, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    wowza! Really looking good there!

    Reply
  48. Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says

    October 26, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    You just had to go there today. I was all good until I saw that brownie. Man that chocolate icing looks so good.

    Reply
  49. Singapore Mum Blog says

    October 26, 2013 at 11:27 am

    oh man! the chocolate looks so so so so good on the brownie!

    Reply
  50. Echo says

    October 26, 2013 at 8:42 am

    4 stars
    That looks fantastic!

    Reply
  51. patti says

    October 25, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    looks delicious….I love the way you tweak, mix and match your recipes!

    Reply
  52. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says

    October 25, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    Oh goodness..this looks heavenly!

    Reply
  53. Meghan @JaMonkey says

    October 25, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    This would be good without the icing. I love the crust on the brownies!

    Reply

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Lynda and Johnny statue

My name is Lynda and I am a recovering sugar addict and travel junkie. I’m also a mom of two children & 2 dogs, wife of 1….and a messy cook taking life one bite at a time.

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