Quick & Cozy One-Bowl Wonder Chocolate Cake Recipe

One-bowl wonder chocolate cake brings pure magic right into your kitchen with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Mixing ingredients becomes a breeze when you follow this straightforward approach.

Chocolate lovers will appreciate how simple yet decadent this dessert can be.

Baker’s secret weapons often involve clever techniques that simplify complex recipes.

Minimal dishes mean more time enjoying sweet moments with those you love.

Rich chocolate notes promise an indulgent experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

You’ll be amazed how quickly this cake comes together with just a single bowl and some basic pantry ingredients.

Prepare to fall in love with the easiest, most delicious chocolate cake recipe ever created.

Easy Steps to One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

• Simplify Baking: Whip up a delectable chocolate cake using just one bowl, minimizing cleanup and making the baking process a breeze.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Mix all ingredients directly in the same bowl, creating a smooth batter without complicated steps or multiple mixing containers.
• Foolproof Chocolate Delight: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe guarantees a moist, rich chocolate cake with minimal effort and maximum flavor satisfaction.
• Versatile Dessert Option: Ideal for casual gatherings, family celebrations, or when you need a last-minute sweet treat that impresses everyone with its decadent chocolate ganache topping.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Must-Haves

• All-Purpose Flour: Base foundation for the cake's structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake's texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate leavening and adds tenderness.
• Vanilla Essence: Adds depth of flavor.
• Cold Water: Helps combine ingredients smoothly.

• Heavy Cream, Chocolate: Creates rich, glossy chocolate coating for the cake.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Method

Step 1: Prep The Oven And Pans

Warm up your oven to 180°C (350°F). Get two 9-inch round cake pans ready by greasing them and lining with baking paper.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Salt

Step 3: Create A Smooth Batter

• Vegetable oil
• White vinegar
• Vanilla essence
• Cold water

Whisk everything until the batter looks silky and well blended.

Step 4: Bake The Cake Layers

Split the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean.

Step 5: Cool The Cake Layers

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 6: Craft A Luxurious Chocolate Ganache

Heat cream gently over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Pour the hot cream over chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Finish With Ganache

Stir until the chocolate melts completely, creating a smooth, glossy ganache. Allow to cool slightly, then spread generously over the cooled cake layers.

Cake Tips for One-Bowl Chocolate Wonder

• Simplify Mixing: Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend ingredients quickly and avoid lumps in the batter.
• Temperature Trick: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Moisture Magic: Add a splash of strong coffee instead of water to enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
• Ganache Genius: Let the ganache cool and thicken slightly before spreading to prevent it from running off the cake sides.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace cream with coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate for a vegan-friendly version that's equally delicious.

Chocolate Cake (One-Bowl Wonder): Save It Easily

• Store cake covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep ganache-covered cake in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw individual slices at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Warm refrigerated cake at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. For a slightly warm slice, microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture.

Chocolate Cake One-Bowl Match Ideas

• Pair Velvety Chocolate with Bold Red Wine: Rich cabernet sauvignon cuts through the cake's sweetness, creating a luxurious tasting experience that enhances the chocolate's deep flavor profile.
• Complement with Espresso Shots: Strong, freshly brewed espresso provides a perfect bitter counterpoint to the cake's rich chocolate, awakening your palate and intensifying the dessert's complex taste.
• Match with Raspberry Liqueur: Smooth raspberry liqueur adds a bright, fruity dimension that beautifully contrasts the cake's deep chocolate notes, creating an elegant and sophisticated dessert pairing.
• Elevate with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a smooth texture and subtle sweetness that balances the cake's intense chocolate flavor, offering a classic and comforting combination.

Cake Flavor Add-In Ideas

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a soft and moist texture for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Delight: Substitute dairy cream with coconut cream, use plant-based chocolate, and replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce for a cruelty-free version.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Option: Swap regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use dark chocolate with higher cocoa content to reduce overall sugar intake.
• Nutty Chocolate Variation: Add chopped walnuts or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and nutritional boost, creating a more textured cake experience.

FAQs

• Why use vinegar in this chocolate cake recipe?

The vinegar helps activate the bicarbonate of soda, creating a light and fluffy texture while ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.

• Is this cake suitable for vegans?

Yes, the recipe is naturally vegan as it uses oil instead of butter and does not include any eggs or dairy in the cake batter.

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

You can substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the cake gluten-free without compromising the texture.

• How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is fully baked and ready to be removed from the oven.

One-Bowl Wonder Chocolate Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent “one-bowl wonder chocolate cake” brings pure bliss straight from your kitchen without complex preparation. Moist chocolate layers promise rich flavor and effortless baking that delights chocolate enthusiasts with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups (710 ml) white wings plain flour
• 2 cups (400 g) CSR white sugar
• 1/2 cup (50 g) cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) sunflower or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
• 2 cups (480 ml) cold water

Ganache Ingredients:

• 200 grams (7 ounces) chopped milk cooking chocolate
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 180°C (350°F) and configuring two 9-inch round cake pans with protective baking paper coating.
2. Utilize a spacious mixing vessel to meticulously sift dry components, ensuring a uniform texture without any lumpy residues.
3. Introduce liquid ingredients systematically into the dry mixture, whisking with precision to create a silky, homogeneous chocolate batter.
4. Distribute the liquid concoction equally between the prepared baking receptacles, maintaining balanced volume for consistent baking.
5. Position the pans in the preheated oven and monitor for approximately 30-35 minutes, verifying doneness through a clean skewer test.
6. Allow cakes to rest momentarily within their baking containers, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization.
7. Transition cake layers onto a cooling apparatus, permitting complete temperature reduction before embellishment.
8. Craft the decadent chocolate ganache by gently heating cream until it reaches a subtle simmering point.
9. Cascade heated cream over finely chopped chocolate, creating a luxurious melting process through patient resting.
10. Manipulate the chocolate-cream fusion with delicate stirring motions until achieving a glossy, seamless consistency.
11. Once slightly cooled, lavishly drape the ganache across the cake’s surface, ensuring elegant and even coverage.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent batter texture.
• Replace oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat version that maintains moisture.
• Test cake doneness early to prevent over-baking, which can make the cake dry and crumbly.
• For a gluten-free adaptation, swap wheat flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg