Description
This homemade Hostess Sheet Cake brings back every nostalgic bite of your favorite childhood treat, with layers of ultra-moist chocolate cake, a fluffy marshmallow filling, and a rich ganache topping. It’s the perfect easy recipe for birthdays, potlucks, or when you just need a comforting, chocolatey pick-me-up. Great for breakfast ideas, dessert tables, and simple make-ahead treats, this cake slices cleanly and stores beautifully. If you’re craving quick desserts or food ideas that impress without a fuss, this one hits the sweet spot.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup marshmallow creme
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch metal baking pan. Optionally line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients into the wet and mix until just incorporated. Batter should be glossy and thick.
5. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
6. Cool completely in the pan before proceeding.
7. To make filling, beat butter until creamy, then add marshmallow creme and powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
8. Carefully slice cooled cake in half horizontally. Remove top layer and set aside.
9. Spread filling evenly on the bottom layer. Replace the top layer gently over the filling.
10. For the ganache, heat cream until just steaming. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 1 minute. Stir until smooth and glossy.
11. Pour ganache over the top layer of cake and spread edge to edge. Let it set before slicing. Optionally pipe a swirl of vanilla frosting on top.
Notes
Make sure the cake is fully cooled before slicing or adding the filling to avoid melting.
Use a serrated knife and chill the cake slightly before cutting for clean, even layers.
Store the cake in the fridge for firmer layers or at room temperature for softer texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Hostess sheet cake, easy dessert, chocolate cake, snack cake, birthday cake, potluck recipe