Ingredients
Chocolate Sheet Cake
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cups (266g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (25g) baking cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp baking powder (3g)
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda (9g)
- ½ tsp fine salt (2g)
- ¾ cup (180g) hot water
- 1 ½ tsp instant espresso or coffee powder (3g)
- ½ cup (120g) buttermilk, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (75g) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (64g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 large eggs (112g), room temperature
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (80g) heavy cream, room temperature
- ¼ tsp fine salt (2g)
Chocolate Pudding Filling
- 2 (3.9 oz) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
- 4 cups (980g) whole milk
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (226g) full-fat cream cheese, cold
- 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480g) heavy cream, cold
- ⅓ cup (83g) peanut butter
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) chopped peanuts
- 2 cups (360g) mini chocolate chips
- 4 fun-sized Snickers bars
Instructions
1. Make the Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (162°C) and line a 9×13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Batter:
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine hot water with espresso powder, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 32–37 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let the cake cool, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. Prepare the Caramel Sauce
- Melt the Sugar: Gradually add the sugar to a medium pot over medium heat, allowing it to melt and deepen in color.
- Add Butter: Mix in the butter slowly, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Finish with Cream: Remove from heat and whisk in the cream and salt. Let cool before using.
3. Make the Chocolate Pudding
- Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator until set.
4. Whip Up the Peanut Butter Cream
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Gradually add vanilla and heavy cream, whipping until soft peaks form.
- Fold in the peanut butter and whip briefly until thickened. Be careful not to overmix.
Notes
- First Layer: Begin with a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle dish or individual cups.
- Second Layer: Spoon a layer of chocolate pudding over the cake.
- Third Layer: Spread a generous layer of peanut butter whipped cream.
- Fourth Layer: Drizzle caramel sauce, then sprinkle chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, and Snickers pieces.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers until the dish is full, ending with whipped cream.
- Garnish: Top with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a slice of Snickers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes