Just one bowl and five minutes—that’s all it takes
This one bowl chocolate cake is rich, moist, and so easy to make!
This post is all about the perfect one bowl chocolate cake—it’s a quick, foolproof treat everyone will love!
In this post, you’ll learn all about the simplest one bowl chocolate cake recipe, how to make it perfect every time, and how to adjust it for both kids and adults!
Chocolate Cake Recipe
This one bowl chocolate cake is a recipe my mom taught me. She made it for birthdays, school events, or just whenever we needed a quick treat. It’s one of those cakes that’s simple to make, but always feels special. Rich, moist, and full of comforting, nostalgic vibes, it’s the perfect go-to when you want something delicious with minimal effort. I love how just a few basic ingredients can come together to create something that tastes like home. Every time I bake it, I’m reminded of my mom making it for us, and how it never failed to bring a smile to our faces.
Why you’ll love this simple chocolate cake recipe:
- Quick and Easy: Just one bowl, five minutes, and you’re good to go.
- Super Moist: Every bite is rich, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Versatile: Perfect on its own or topped with a luscious chocolate sauce. You can even add coffee or different chocolate chips to customize!
- Nostalgic: Tastes just like childhood—comforting and familiar.
- Perfect for Everyone: Kids and adults love it, making it a go-to for any occasion.
- Irresistible Smell: Your house will smell so good, you won’t be able to wait for the first bite!
Chocolate Cake | Ingredients
This cake is made with simple ingredients, but the magic is in the details. The yogurt keeps it soft and moist, while the cocoa gives it that rich, chocolate flavor. The hot cocoa mix adds a little extra sweetness and flavor, and the sauce—made in the microwave—adds even more moisture and richness. Let’s break it down!
- Flour: It gives structure, but in this case, it keeps things light, so every slice feels soft and tender without being too heavy.
- Baking Powder: The secret behind that perfect rise. It lifts the cake just enough to make it light and airy, without making it too fluffy or dense.
- Eggs: The binding agent that brings everything together. Eggs give the cake richness and help it stay moist.
- Oil: Keeps the cake soft and moist without making it greasy. It’s the secret to that perfect texture, yet it’s not greasy.
- Sugar: Not just for sweetness—sugar helps the cake stay moist and tender. It also helps create that perfect crust as it bakes, adding a bit of caramelized flavor with every bite.
- Salt: A little salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor. It’s a must!
- Yogurt: Yogurt is a bit of a secret weapon in baking. It doesn’t just add moisture—it gives the cake a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. It’s what helps the cake stay incredibly soft and tender, even the next day. Plus, that creamy texture it brings makes every bite feel indulgent without being heavy. It’s a little twist that elevates the cake and keeps it fresh longer.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash of vanilla deepens the flavor and adds that comforting, warm taste we all love.
- Cocoa Powder & Hot Cocoa Mix: This is where the deep, rich chocolate flavor comes from. The cocoa powder brings that intense chocolate taste, while the hot cocoa mix adds an extra layer of sweetness and flavor. You can adjust the ratio to suit your taste, but balance is key for a perfectly moist cake. Be careful not to overdo it with the cocoa powder, though—it can make the cake dry if you go too heavy.
- Chocolate Chips: These melt into pockets of gooey, chocolaty goodness. They make the cake even more decadent.
- Coffee (Optional): A little coffee boosts the chocolate flavor, making it even richer. But if you’re not into it, skip it!
- Chocolate Sauce (Made in the Microwave): The easiest chocolate sauce ever! Just melt chocolate and cream together in the microwave for a few seconds. It’s quick, smooth, and adds a rich, indulgent touch to the cake. Poke holes in the cake and pour it over for that extra gooey goodness. You can adjust the chocolate type to suit your taste!
By the way, if you’re wondering where I got those cute teaspoons in the photos, you can find them here: colorful teaspoons or here: flower teaspoons. They’re the perfect little touch for any dessert!
Tips for the best, simple moist chocolate cake recipe
- Use room temperature ingredients: It helps everything mix together more smoothly, especially the eggs, and creates a better texture overall.
- Don’t overdo the cocoa powder: Too much can make the cake dry, so stick to the recommended amount. You can always adjust the hot cocoa mix for more sweetness if you like.
- Poke the cake for the sauce: After baking, use a skewer to poke holes in the cake. This lets the chocolate sauce seep in and makes it even more delicious.
- Pour the sauce hot on a hot cake: It’s best to pour the sauce when both the cake and the sauce are hot. This way, the sauce soaks into the cake, making it even more moist and indulgent.
- Try different chocolate chips: Whether it’s dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, feel free to experiment with what you like best. You can also try adding chopped chocolate for extra chunks.
- Upgrade with coffee: A splash of coffee can deepen the chocolate flavor. You can also try adding a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of vanilla extract, or even a spoonful of nut butter for a unique twist!
- Topping options: Get creative with toppings! Try sprinkles, M&Ms, shredded coconut, or even a drizzle of caramel or extra chocolate chips. Whatever you choose, it’s the perfect way to make your cake even more fun and delicious. The most nostalgic for me are the mini M&M’S, HERE’S A LINK :).
- Let it cool before serving: While it’s tempting to dive in right away, letting the cake cool a little helps the flavors settle and gives the sauce time to set.
Storage Instructions:
- At Room Temperature: If you plan to enjoy the cake within a couple of days, store it at room temperature. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- In the Refrigerator: For longer storage (up to 5 days), keep the cake in the fridge. Wrap it well in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
- For the chocolate sauce: Store it separately in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about a week. To reheat, gently warm it in the microwave or on the stove over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Serving Tip: The cake is best enjoyed when you heat a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This will enhance its moisture and bring out its rich, chocolate flavor!
If you like the concept of this one bowl chocolate cake, you’ll also love my one bowl orange loaf cake!
My Orange Loaf Cake Recipe
This recipe is just as simple and foolproof, with a secret ingredient that takes it to the next level. Moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make—definitely a must try!
Cooking with Oli
As you can probably guess, whenever I’ve got flowers around, Oli’s right there, making sure he’s the center of attention! He’s completely fascinated by them, playing with them and, let’s face it, causing a little chaos along the way. But, he’s such a good boy and never really destroys them—he just enjoys them in his own way! I can’t get enough of having flowers all over the house, no matter the season, and seeing Oli have a blast with them makes it even better. You’ll see in this video (and others) just how much fun he has—he’s always curious and up for some flower mischief. Hope you enjoy watching him as much as I enjoy having him around!
One Bowl Chocolate Cake
Equipment
- 1 (26 cm/10-inch) round pan (or 2 English cake pans – baking time will change)
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup oil (vegetable or sunflower seed oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 200 ml plain yogurt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup hot cocoa mix
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 25 ml espresso , optional
- 100 grams chocolate chips , optional
Chocolate Sauce
- 100 grams dark or milk chocolate (you can also mix)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 170°C (340°F) and grease or line a 26 cm (10-inch) round cake pan.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, salt, and yogurt. If using coffee, add it now.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the flour, cocoa mix, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top (don’t press them in too much, or they may sink), and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Prepare the sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate and cream together. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. Don’t overheat—it should take about 1 minute or no more than 3 rounds. The chocolate will continue to melt as you stir when it's hot enough.
- Finish: Poke holes in the warm cake with a skewer, then pour the sauce over it. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before adding sprinkles or other toppings to prevent them from melting. Let the cake cool a bit before serving.
Now that you’ve got the perfect one bowl chocolate cake recipe, what are you waiting for? If you’ve never made a one bowl cake before, now’s the time to dive in! It’s so easy—less than 10 minutes of prep, and you’ll be enjoying that rich, chocolatey goodness in no time. Plus, did I mention how good your house will smell? Don’t forget to check out the tips and topping ideas I’ve shared in this post and let me know how it turns out! Happy baking!
