When you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with a sink full of dishes, one-bowl cake recipes are your best friend. These recipes are quick, mess-free, and incredibly satisfying—and yes, the results can still be fluffy, moist, and delicious.
In this article, you’ll learn the basics of one-bowl baking, plus get tried-and-true recipes and tips to make your busy-day cakes shine.
Why Choose One-Bowl Cakes?
- Less cleanup
- Faster prep
- Beginner-friendly
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for weeknights or last-minute baking
What Makes a Cake Recipe “One-Bowl”?
A true one-bowl cake recipe allows you to:
- Mix everything in one bowl (no separate wet/dry bowls)
- Skip electric mixers (just a whisk or spoon works)
- Get into the oven in under 10 minutes
Perfect for when you want cake without the fuss.
One-Bowl Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk or plant-based milk
- 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
- Whisk until smooth—about 1–2 minutes.
- Pour into pan and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Cool and serve—top with powdered sugar or simple glaze.
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
Same steps as above—add everything to a bowl, whisk, pour, and bake. So easy!
Tips for One-Bowl Baking Success
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing
- Whisk dry ingredients first, then add wet—helps avoid clumps
- Don’t overmix—just enough to combine
- Bake immediately after mixing—especially if using vinegar and baking soda
- Use nonstick or parchment-lined pans for easy release
Flavor Variations (Still One Bowl!)
- Lemon Cake – Add lemon juice and zest
- Banana Cake – Mash 1 ripe banana into the batter
- Coconut Cake – Use coconut milk and add shredded coconut
- Mocha Cake – Replace milk with brewed coffee for depth
- Berry Cake – Fold in frozen or fresh berries
Quick Topping Ideas
- Powdered sugar dusting
- Jam + whipped cream
- Chocolate glaze (melted chocolate + cream)
- Peanut butter + maple drizzle
- Fruit compote
Storage
- Room temp: 2–3 days
- Refrigerator: up to 5 days
- Freeze: unfrosted cakes for up to 1 month
One Bowl. One Bake. No Stress.
One-bowl cakes prove that delicious baking doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a whisk and a few pantry staples, you can have a warm, homemade cake in the oven in minutes—and only one bowl to clean.
So next time you want something sweet but simple, grab a bowl and get baking.
