Fluffy Kefir Sheet Cake– Czech Kefírová buchta

Say hello to Kefírová buchta—a beloved Czech classic that’s as simple as it is irresistible. This moist, tender sheet cake gets its signature fluffiness from kefir or buttermilk, making every bite melt in your mouth. It’s crowned with a rich, glossy chocolate glaze and sprinkled generously with shredded coconut for a nostalgic touch that takes you straight to a cozy European kitchen. Perfect with a cup of coffee or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, this humble cake is a timeless treat that never goes out of style.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings 10

Ingredients

Buttermilk batter:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 cups kefir or buttermilk
1 medium egg
3 Tablespoons dutch cocoa powder unsweetened
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup sunflower oil or canola

Chocolate glaze:

1 cup chocolate chips dark semi-sweet
⅓ cup heavy cream with a fat content of around 30%

Misc.:

3 Tablespoons schredded coconut unsweetened; to sprinkle the cake
½ Tablespoon solid fat to grease the baking pan
1 ½ Tablespoons flour od breadcrumbs to dust the baking pan

Instructions

Make ahead: First, prepare a baking pan. Grease it with ½ Tablespoon solid fat and dust with 1 ½ Tablespoons flour od breadcrumbs. Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
Put 2 cups kefir and ½ cup sunflower oil in a mixing bowl. Add 1 medium egg, 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, 3 Tablespoons dutch cocoa powder, and 2 cups all-purpose flour mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
Using a hand mixer, blend everything until you achieve a smooth, semi-liquid batter.
Pour the batter onto the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
The exact baking time depends on the size of the baking pan you use. If the pan is smaller and the batter layer is thicker, it may need to bake a little longer. Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Toward the end of the baking time, insert a wooden skewer into the cake. If it comes out dry, the cake is done. If not, bake for another 3-5 minutes and repeat the skewer test for doneness.
Let the kefir cake cool completely.
Prepare chocolate glaze: Melt 1 cup chocolate chips over a water bath. Add ⅓ cup heavy cream and stir until you have a smooth, combined chocolate glaze.
Pour the chocolate glaze over the cooled cake and spread it evenly over the entire surface. Let it sit for a while, then sprinkle the top with 3 Tablespoons schredded coconut.

Notes