One Bowl Chocolate Cake with Simple Ingredients

If you are looking for a dessert that is rich, quick, and simple to prepare, then one bowl chocolate cake recipes are the best choice. This cake is made in just one bowl, which means less mess and less cleanup. The recipe uses basic pantry ingredients like flour, cocoa, sugar, and oil, yet the result is soft, moist, and full of chocolate flavor.

The secret is adding hot water or coffee, which makes the cake tender and enhances the chocolate taste. You don’t need a mixer or special baking skills to make it. Anyone can follow these easy steps and get perfect results. Whether you want a birthday cake, a family treat, or a quick dessert, this recipe is always a success.

Why Choose One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipes

Saves Time and Effort

No stand mixer, no multiple bowls. Just whisk, pour, and bake.

Beginner Friendly

Perfect for kids, first-time bakers, or anyone short on time.

Moist and Flavorful

Using hot water (or coffee) keeps the cake soft and brings out deep chocolate notes.

Easy to Customize

You can make it as a sheet cake, layer cake, or even cupcakes.

Key Ingredients Explained

Before baking, let’s understand why each ingredient matters.

Flour

All-purpose flour provides structure while keeping the crumb light.

Sugar

Adds sweetness and helps the cake stay moist.

Cocoa Powder

The heart of any chocolate cake. Dutch-process cocoa gives a darker, richer flavor, while natural cocoa provides a lighter taste.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Work together to make the cake rise and stay fluffy.

Salt

Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate flavor.

Eggs

Bind the ingredients and create stability. Can be replaced with applesauce for an egg-free version.

Oil

Keeps the cake moist longer than butter. Vegetable or canola oil work best.

Buttermilk

Adds tang and tenderness. You can easily make it at home by mixing milk with a little vinegar or lemon juice.

Hot Water or Coffee

The secret step. It “blooms” the cocoa powder, deepening the chocolate flavor while giving the cake a soft texture.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Measure your flour correctly. Always spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off, instead of scooping directly from the bag. This prevents adding too much flour, which can make the cake dense.

Step by Step One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

This recipe is quick, simple, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg (or ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce for egg-free)

• ½ cup vegetable oil (canola or melted coconut oil also work)

• ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar/lemon juice)

• ½ cup hot water (or hot coffee for stronger flavor)

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Pan

Line an 8-inch square or round cake pan with parchment paper or grease lightly. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 3 – Add Wet Ingredients

Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Whisk until the batter is smooth.

Step 4 – Add Hot Water

Stir in the hot water or coffee. The batter will be thin, but this is the key to a moist cake.

Step 5 – Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6 – Cool and Frost

Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before frosting or serving.

Easy Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

2. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.

3. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

4. Mix until shiny and spreadable.

5. Spread over the warm cake for a fudgy finish.

Cake Variations

• Cupcakes: Makes about 12. Bake for 18–20 minutes.

• Layer Cake: Double the recipe for two 9-inch layers.

• Sheet Cake: Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for 30–35 minutes.

• Vegan Cake: Replace egg with applesauce or flax egg, use plant-based milk.

How to Store One Bowl Chocolate Cake

• Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container or under a cake dome for up to 3 days.

• Refrigerator: Store for 5–6 days, but bring to room temperature before serving for best taste.

• Freezer: Wrap slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice, Without Frosting)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing: Makes the cake dense. Mix only until ingredients are combined.

• Skipping hot water/coffee: This is the secret to a moist texture and strong chocolate flavor.

• Overbaking: Check the cake a few minutes early; dry cake is hard to fix.

• Not cooling before frosting: Warm cake will melt frosting.

One bowl chocolate cake Recipes

If you are looking for a dessert that is rich, quick, and simple to prepare, then one bowl chocolate cake recipes are the best choice. This cake is made in just one bowl, which means less mess and less cleanup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course One Bowl, Oven Baked

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg or ¼ cup applesauce for egg-free
• ½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• ½ cup buttermilk or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar/lemon juice
• ½ cup hot water or hot coffee for richer flavor
• For Frosting
• 5 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 2 –3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8-inch cake pan.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth.
• Stir in hot water or coffee. Batter will be thin—this is normal.
• Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• For frosting, melt butter in a pan. Stir in cocoa, then add sugar, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
• Spread frosting over the warm cake, cool slightly, then slice and serve.

Notes

Coffee instead of water gives stronger chocolate flavor.

For cupcakes, bake 18–20 minutes.

To make vegan, replace egg with applesauce and use plant-based milk.

Let cake cool before adding frosting.

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice, Without Frosting)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	220 kcal
Protein	3 g
Fat	9 g
Carbohydrates	32 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	20 g
Sodium	190 mg

FAQs About One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipes

Can I use coffee instead of water?

Yes. Hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes. Replace the egg with applesauce or a flax egg, and use plant milk.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Bake in a larger pan or divide into two round pans for a layered cake.

Conclusion on One bowl chocolate cake

This one bowl chocolate cake recipe proves that baking can be quick, simple, and still taste amazing. With only one bowl and a few everyday ingredients, you can make a rich and moist cake in less than an hour. The hot water or coffee trick gives it a deep chocolate flavor while keeping the texture soft.

It’s perfect for birthdays, family dinners, or any time you want a homemade dessert without extra work. You can enjoy it plain, with a simple dusting of sugar, or topped with fudgy frosting. Once you try it, this recipe will become a go-to favorite for busy days and special moments. Easy, delicious, and reliable—this cake is one you’ll bake again and again.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe Card

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup sugar

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg (or ¼ cup applesauce for egg-free)

• ½ cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)

• ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar/lemon juice)

• ½ cup hot water (or hot coffee for richer flavor)

For Frosting

• 5 tablespoons butter

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8-inch cake pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth.

4. Stir in hot water or coffee. Batter will be thin—this is normal.

5. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. For frosting, melt butter in a pan. Stir in cocoa, then add sugar, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.

7. Spread frosting over the warm cake, cool slightly, then slice and serve.

Notes

• Coffee instead of water gives stronger chocolate flavor.

• For cupcakes, bake 18–20 minutes.

• To make vegan, replace egg with applesauce and use plant-based milk.

• Let cake cool before adding frosting.

Nutrition Facts (Per Slice, Without Frosting)

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

• Total Time: 35–40 minutes

• Method: One Bowl, Oven Baked

• Cuisine: American

• Servings: 9 slices

• Calories: ~220 per slice

• Yield: 1 square or round cake