One Bowl Cake

This one bowl chocolate cake is the kind of recipe that feels almost too easy to be as good as it is.

With minimal prep and no complicated steps, you’ll have a rich, deeply chocolatey cake that bakes up incredibly moist and tender every single time.

It’s the perfect go-to dessert when you need something reliable, impressive, and completely satisfying.

The magic of this cake comes from its simple method and perfectly balanced ingredients.

The batter comes together quickly in a single bowl, and the addition of boiling water creates a smooth, silky consistency that results in a soft, fluffy crumb.

Whether you frost it with a classic buttercream or enjoy it as-is, this cake delivers bold chocolate flavor in every bite.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Additional Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 24
Yield: 1 2-layer (9-inch) cake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.
  4. Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin—this is normal.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Chefs Notes

  • This cake pairs beautifully with chocolate buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
  • The thin batter is key to the cake’s moist texture—don’t be tempted to thicken it.
  • For extra richness, substitute hot coffee for the boiling water to enhance the chocolate flavor.
  • Make it ahead—this cake stays moist for days when stored properly.
Pin0Yummly0