This One-Bowl Chocolate Cake is a rich and decadent moist chocolate cake made in just one bowl. The fudgy frosting is irresistible!
If you like one-bowl recipes, you have to try the brownies too! Another delicious cake is my One-Bowl Vanilla Cake.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When it comes to desserts, cakes especially, I want easy and quick. That's why I often reach for my crumb bars or cheesecake bars recipes. Easy is where it's at. This One-Bowl Chocolate Cake is just that! You need it in your go-to recipes file. It's as easy as box mix but made from scratch. The fudgy frosting made in a saucepan with just a whisk is out of this world and complements the cake perfectly. You have to try it!
This One-Bowl Chocolate Cake is perfect for a last-minute dessert or if you are craving chocolate cake and need an easy recipe. This one is a keeper!
Ingredients:
- flour - I used all-purpose flour. If you need to use gluten-free flour, choose one that allows you to substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
- sugar - I used white, granulated sugar.
- cocoa powder - Use the best you can get. This is where the chocolate flavor comes from. Dutch-processed cocoa is wonderful here.
- baking powder and baking soda - The combo of these leavening agents allows the cake to rise and cook properly.
- buttermilk - I always make my own by combining whole milk (or half and half) and vinegar (or lemon juice). No need to buy it in the store.
- egg - Binds all ingredients together.
- oil - I used vegetable oil but canola or even olive oil works here.
- hot water - This is the secret to making this cake so moist. You can use coffee as well. It will intensify the chocolate flavor.
How to make a one-bowl chocolate cake?
- Start by measuring out the flour. To do that correctly, spoon flour into a measuring cup, then level the top. Do not dunk the measuring cup into the flour bag and scoop. You will end up with too much flour.
- Next, measure out the remaining dry ingredients and whisk everything together.
- Add wet ingredients and whisk until the batter is smooth, no flour lumps should be visible.
- Pour the batter into parchment paper or an aluminum foil-lined baking pan (I used an 8" square pan but a round pan will work too). Tap the pan gently against the counter to release any air bubbles, then place it in the oven to bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Check with a toothpick or a dry spaghetti noodle to make sure the cake is done. Next, prepare the frosting.
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This recipe is so easy, you won't need a box cake mix anymore. Measure out the ingredients and whisk everything together in one bowl until the batter is smooth. It might seem runny and not thick but no worries, the cake will bake perfectly and every bite will be moist and melt in your mouth.
How to make fudgy chocolate frosting?
To make this easy chocolate frosting, all you need is a whisk and a saucepan. No mixer is needed! Simply melt butter and whisk it with cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to make a smooth, rich, shiny frosting. Spread over still-warm cake.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! To make chocolate cupcakes, divide the batter in the cupcake pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes OR until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cupcake comes out clean.
If you want to use a 13" x 9" pan, double the ingredients. The baking time should be increased to 40 to 45 minutes. But always check the cake with a toothpick to ensure it's done.
Absolutely! Coffee intensifies chocolate flavor so it's a great idea to use it in this recipe. You can use coffee you brewed or mix instant coffee with hot water.
More cake recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
for the cake:
- 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
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup buttermilk see note
- ½ cup hot water
for the frosting:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8" square or round cake pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, soda, baking powder, and salt.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
- Add egg, oil, and buttermilk and whisk well. Add hot water and whisk until the batter is smooth.1 large egg, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup buttermilk, ½ cup hot water
- Pour into prepared pan. Tap gently against the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes OR until the toothpick inserted in few places comes out clean.
- Cool and make frosting in the meantime.
- To make the frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Add cocoa powder and whisk in. Cook for 2 minutes. Do not boil. Remove saucepan from heat.¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Add sifted powdered sugar and whisk in. Add vanilla and milk, one tablespoon at a time. The frosting should be shiny and smooth.1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour over warm cake and spread with a spatula. Let cool before cutting.
Notes
- To make homemade buttermilk: whisk 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with enough whole milk or half and half to make ½ cup of liquid.
- Sifting powdered sugar prevents clumps in the frosting.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Stephanie Austin says
If I could give this recipe 10 stars I would! 5 stars for the cake, which was absolutely perfect, and 5 stars for the most well written online recipe I have e EVER used! Listing the ingredient amounts within each step is something I’ve never understood not being standard, so thank you! Automatically including how to make homemade buttermilk, because most of us don’t usually have buttermilk on hand (I used plain Greek yogurt and it worked great too). Ever detail was perfectly laid out!
I will definitely follow you for more recipes!
Deb says
Love this cake but wondering why mine always sink in the middle a little? I cook them longer than it says because it’s never done. Any suggestions? I did check my oven temp already.
Alana says
Ahh, me too! I can't figure out how to fix it, the outer sides end up shrinking in before the middle sets. I tried to make sure its evened out before it goes in, but still , I have this same problem. It'll often be uneven too once it baked because of the rise and sinking that happens as I pull it out to toothpick-test the center...
Judy says
Definitely caught my eye because I love all things chocolate and the small batch is perfect for two. But…the heading says "crunchy" and I can’t find anything crunchy. What was left out?
Anna says
Hi Judy, Crunchy Creamy Sweet is the name of this website, not the name of the recipe. Hope this helps!
Sue says
Question about the recipe... I've always added a good quality vanila to all my cakes, should adding 1/2 tsp be enough?
Deb says
Yes because it has cocoa. It’s perfect.
Leona says
Loved it!
Julie says
Fantastic recipe! Both the cake and the frosting are delicious and incredibly easy to make. I had a whole cake complete and on serving plates in 45 minutes. I added some salted caramel sauce drizzle on top for extra decadence. Thanks for serving up a winner!
Kelli says
This is moist, rich and dense and the best chocolate cake I have ever had. My husband requested this cake every week for the first 6 months of me finding this recipe. Now it is only every other week. Wonderful cake and perfect for two. Thank you for sharing.
Susan says
My husband and I loved your chocolate cake. It was so moist and decadent. I loved the icing. Perfect size cake for 2 people. 😁♥️
Leanne Tyrrell says
Great recipe beautiful cake.
Tina says
Used granulated cane sugar instead of white. The batter was VERY thin. Took more like 45 mins to bake through at 350°F in a 8x8 pyrex square pan.
Lisa says
The most decadent chocolate cake I’ve ever had!! Will make again. 👍
Alice says
Best Chocolate cake ever! My family and friends favorite! Hard to go wrong with this one! Super easy.
Carmen M says
Excellent cake and chocolate frosting! Made this for my husband’s birthday and it was a hit! So moist and delicious. We served it with a side of French vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries. Will definitely be making this again!
Naina says
Super easy to make and the cake was delicious. Thank you for the recipe!
Dionne Warwick says
Perfect cake and soo easy to make. It taste kinda like boxed cake but better I substituted water for leftover coffee to bring out chocolate flavor. Insanely good and I literally made the cake part in less that 15 mins
Cloudy Seymour says
A big DOUBLE WOW!! This was beyond insanely Deelish!! I’ve always made the Hershey chocolate cake but it just wasn’t wowing me and because I’m a big fan of throwing everything in a bowl and mixing this one caught my eye. I doubled the recipe to fill a 13” x 9” pan and it was perfect. I didn’t even get time to ice it and hubby had eaten half…oh my goodness it was the best I’ve thrown out all my other chocolate recipes and I had a lot believe me…now this is the only one I will ever bake. Thank you so much for sharing you’re a legend!!