Red Vines Dark Cocoa Sheet Cake

01. Mix Cocoa Sheet Cake Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper.

Whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt until foamy. Add the buttermilk, oil, and melted butter and whisk to combine.

Add the cocoa powder and whisk to combine. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and whisk until smooth.

Whisk in the water.

02. Bake Cake and Let Cool

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the cake springs back when you gently press the top.

Remove the cake from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least an hour.

While the cake cools, make the frosting.

03. Make Chocolate Frosting

In the bowl of stand mixer, combine the butter and salt.  Beat the butter for 3 minutes, until very creamy.

While you beat the butter, melt the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each microwave cycle. Repeat 2-3 times until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Add ½ of the powdered sugar to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until combined.

Add the remaining powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until combined. Add the melted chocolate and mix on low speed until combined.

Add the cream and black food coloring, if using. Turn the mixer speed up to medium-high, and blend until the frosting is very fluffy—about 5 minutes.

04. Frost Dark Cocoa Sheet Cake

Use the parchment paper in your cake pan like a sling to remove the cake from the pan. Place the cake on a plate or serving tray.

Use a spatula or spoon to dollop a large amount of frosting onto the cake.

Use an offset spatula, the back of a spoon, or a butter knife to spread the frosting into a layer on the top of the cake. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth—you’ll be covering it with candy anyway!

05. Decorate with Red Vines Licorice Candy

Cut the Red Vines Licorice Twists into small pieces, ranging from ½ inch to 1 ½ inches long. A variety of sizes is fine! 

Place pieces of Red Vines on the cake, making a pattern if desired.

Continue until the entire cake is covered with Red Vines.

06. Store Finished Sheet Cake

The cake will keep at room temperature, well covered, for up to 4 hours. You can also store it in the refrigerator, well covered, for up to 3 days.