No stand mixer? No problem. You don’t need any fancy equipment to bake a delicious, fluffy, homemade cake. With just a bowl, a whisk (or spoon!), and a little elbow grease, you can make a cake that tastes just as good—maybe even better.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make a cake without a mixer, plus tricks to get the right texture and structure using just your hands.
Why Bake Without a Mixer?
- No special equipment required
- Less cleanup
- Great for beginner bakers
- Ideal for small kitchens or quick baking
- Gives you more control over texture and mixing
What You Need
- Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
- Whisk, spoon, or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sifter or fine-mesh strainer (optional but helpful)
Best Cake Style for Hand Mixing
The easiest cakes to make without a mixer are:
- Oil-based cakes (no creaming required)
- One-bowl cakes
- Simple sponge cakes or snack cakes
- Loaf and sheet cakes
Butter-based cakes can still be done—just melt the butter first.
Easy No-Mixer Vanilla Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup milk or yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Set it to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan (8-inch round or loaf).
2. Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and milk until well combined and smooth.
3. Add dry ingredients
Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Use a whisk or spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
4. Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
Tips for Mixing by Hand
- Sift dry ingredients for a smoother batter
- Use a large whisk or sturdy spoon for easier stirring
- Don’t overmix—just combine until you no longer see dry flour
- For fluffier texture, let the batter rest for 5 minutes before baking
- Melt butter before using if a recipe calls for creaming it
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Cake – Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients
- Banana Cake – Mash 1 banana into the wet ingredients
- Lemon Cake – Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and zest
- Coconut Cake – Replace milk with coconut milk and add shredded coconut
Simple Frosting Ideas (No Mixer Needed)
- Whipped cream (manual whisk)
- Melted chocolate + coconut milk
- Yogurt glaze with powdered sugar
- Jam + powdered sugar dusting
Cake Without the Fuss
Baking without a mixer is not only possible—it’s fun, easy, and rewarding. With just a bowl and a whisk, you can create a soft, moist, and beautiful cake that everyone will love.
Sometimes, the simplest method is the sweetest.
