One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

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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.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients:
  • How to make a one-bowl chocolate cake?
  • How to make fudgy chocolate frosting?
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

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?

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)
  • 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 flourbag 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.

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.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

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.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (4)

Recipe FAQs:

Can I use this recipe to make cupcakes?

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.

Can I double the recipe to bake in a larger pan?

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.

Can I use hot coffee instead of water?

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:

  • Eggless Chocolate Cake
  • One Bowl Vanilla Cake Recipe
  • Raspberry Cake with Sweet Cream Glaze
  • The Best Apple Crumb Cake
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (9)

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (10)

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 - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (11)

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

Author: Anna

This One-Bowl Chocolate Cake is a rich and decadent moist chocolate cake made in just one bowl. The fudgy frosting is irresistible!

4.88 from 292 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 9 pieces

Calories 388 kcal

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

  1. Afeefa says

    One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (16)
    Tried this cake today, not the incongruous though. Cake was really easy and came out perfectly. I thought it was a super quick and easy recipe.
    Just made 1 alteration, I added 1 tbsp of coffee to the hot water, otherwise followed the recipe to the ‘T’.

    Reply

  2. Alana says

    One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (17)
    I've made this recipe many times and love it so much!

    I've tried to make it "healthier" and always screw it up- I'm going back to this one!

    I just wanted to say thank you again, and a very BIG thank you for putting in all the ingredients in the instructions too- this helps so much so I don't have to scroll up with my flour-covered fingers!

    lots of hugs and love, thank you!

    Reply

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One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

How do you add crunchy texture to a cake? ›

If whole nuts seem a little too jarring, you can sprinkle chopped nuts on top of a decorated cake, or even mix them right into the frosting. Chopped peanuts or sliced almonds would work well mixed into buttercream, adding just the right amount of crunch in each bite without being so hard that you might break a tooth.

What happens when you add sour cream to a box cake mix? ›

Sour cream adds moisture without thinning your batter the same way that a liquid would. That fact that sour cream delivers moisture without further thinning out a batter results in a cake with a very tender, very fine crumb.

What makes a cake more moist buttermilk or sour cream? ›

ADD SOUR CREAM

Adding a tablespoon or two of sour cream to your cake batter can help make it more moist. Sour cream's creamy and light texture can help keep your cake from becoming dense and dry. Sour Cream Coffee Cake is a great example of how sour cream can enhance the flavor, texture and moisture of a cake.

What stays crunchy in a cake? ›

Candied walnuts, almonds, or cashews would all work well, as would honey-roasted peanuts. As an added perk, candied nuts would maintain more crunch in your cake thanks to that sugary coating on the outside, which helps protect the nut from the cake's moisture.

How to get crunch in cake? ›

  1. Candied Nuts. candied pecans in bowl - Veselovaelena/Getty Images. ...
  2. Toffee Bits. chocolate cake with toffee bits - Lauripatterson/Getty Images. ...
  3. Granola. granola in bowl - Ermak Oksana/Shutterstock. ...
  4. Mini Chocolate Chips. pile of chocolate chips - Subjug/Getty Images. ...
  5. Crushed Cereal. ...
  6. Candy Bar Bits. ...
  7. Crunchy Peanut Butter. ...
  8. Pretzels.
Mar 10, 2024

Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

If you're unsure, it's safest to use a 50/50 combination of butter and oil instead of replacing the butter completely. This way you'll get the added moisture from the oil without sacrificing the structural integrity that butter provides.

What substance makes the cake soft and fluffy? ›

Therefore, a powder added while baking bread and cakes to make them fluffy and soft is baking powder.

What happens if you add an extra egg to a box cake mix? ›

The additional fat in the egg yolk helps create a more tender and moist cake that is full of flavor. The extra egg also helps the cake have a more stable texture, which is great if you want to bake it up as a layer cake instead of a sheet cake or cupcakes.

What does adding mayo to cake mix do? ›

All this means that adding mayonnaise to the cake batter boosts the moisture of the final product—and leaves none of its characteristic taste. Testing showed that using oil or butter instead of mayo made for a drier cake, but keeping the eggs in addition to the mayonnaise improved richness and springiness.

How do you make a box cake taste like it came from the bakery? ›

  1. Swap Oil for Melted Butter.
  2. Exchange Water for Dairy.
  3. Enhance With Extracts.
  4. Incorporate Sour Cream or Mayo.
  5. Add Nuts.
  6. Make Homemade Frosting.
  7. Layer With Fillings.
  8. Turn It Into a Poke Cake.
Apr 12, 2024

Is it better to use milk or buttermilk in a cake? ›

Buttermilk has more acid than regular milk, which will reduce the carbon dioxide released and thwart the leavening process important to these recipes. To achieve the desired result when using buttermilk instead of milk, be sure to substitute baking soda for some or all for of the baking powder.

Is yogurt or sour cream better for cake? ›

While sour cream sets the stage for a denser, more traditional cake, the inclusion of Greek yogurt can often lead to a lighter, health-conscious choice with a subtler finish, perfect for those who enjoy a less heavy dessert.

Which milk is best for cakes? ›

The more fat you have in milk, the more the texture of the bake will change. You want bakes to be moist, so this means you should choose milk with a higher fat content to achieve this. Therefore the best milk to use during baking is in most cases whole milk.

How to make the top of a cake crunchy? ›

Just be sure to add the topping to the batter before baking, so that it has a chance to crisp up. Add a crunchy layer. This could be a layer of graham cracker crumbs, cookie crumbs, or even a layer of crispy rice cereal. Just be sure to press the layer down into the batter before baking, so that it adheres to the cake.

How to add crunch to dessert? ›

Crunchy Toppings

Crushed cookies, nuts, and seeds are all great options. For example, you could sprinkle some crushed graham crackers on top of a lemon tart for a little bit of texture and a complementary flavor. Or, you could add some chopped pecans to a caramel tart for a nutty crunch.

How do you add texture to a cake? ›

One of the best ways to add a texture onto your cake is using a texture comb. So many companies now sell them and they come in so many different designs. They enable you to smooth the buttercream on the side of your cake, whilst adding in a fun design around the edge.

What are the crunchy bits used in baking? ›

If you've ever had a professionally made cake or confection and noticed a mysterious yet delightful crunchy texture in one of the layers, chances are it is feuilletine. Feuilletine, or pailleté feuilletine, is basically just a super thin crepe that's been crumbled into flakes.

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