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One Bowl Chocolate Cake

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This One Bowl Chocolate Cake is nearly as easy to make as a boxed mix. This simple, classic recipe results in a perfect chocolate cake every time!

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

The other night after we had finished dinner I had a strong, persistent craving for chocolate cake. I frequently get a sweets craving after a meal, but this time around the craving was specific. Chocolate cake! It had to happen.

For some odd reason, I’ve yet to share my basic chocolate cake recipe with you. This is just craziness considering how often I bake that cake! This recipe is my quick version of that beloved cake and since I needed chocolate cake and I needed it fast, this one had to come first.

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One Bowl Chocolate Cake

It has a seriously no-fuss method that I love. All you’ll need is a large mixing bowl, an electric mixer, and a few minutes on your hands to get it in the oven.  

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

I frosted it with an equally quick and Easy Chocolate Buttermilk Icing but you could go with any frosting you like.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Watch the quick video below to see how it’s done and scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl – all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Add some buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Use an electric mixer and mix until well combined. You could do this all in the bowl of your stand mixer if you’d like.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Add 1 cup of very hot water and mix again until combined. The batter will be quite thin. Transfer it to a 13″ x 9″ baking dish that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

See the recipe below for all the details on how to cook up the satiny, luxurious Easy Chocolate Buttermilk Icing. Sometimes I’ll stir in some chopped pecans. Yum.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

I wish I could share this with you all because it’s currently sitting in my kitchen calling out my name…

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

This One Bowl Chocolate Cake is nearly as easy to make as a boxed mix. This simple, classic recipe results in a perfect chocolate cake every time!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 15
Change the number in the box above to adjust serving size. Please note that size of cookware and cook time may vary.
Print
4.43 from 7 votes

Ingredients

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup very hot water

Easy Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

  • 1/2 cup 1 stick butter
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 16 ounces 4 cups powdered sugar, or as needed to reach desired consistency
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

  1. For the Cake:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 13" x 9" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Using an electric hand or stand mixer, beat in eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Add hot water and mix until combined. Batter will be quite thin.
  3. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
  4. For the Frosting:Melt butter in a large saucepan over MEDIUM heat. Whisk in cocoa powder, buttermilk and vanilla. Turn heat to LOW and whisk in powdered sugar until you've reached desired consistency. It should be thick but pourable. Continue whisking vigorously until smooth. Stir in chopped nuts, if using.
  5. Immediately pour frosting over cake and use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread it out evenly over the surface. Allow to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving the cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal
Fat: 18g
Saturated fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 311mg
Potassium: 183mg
Carbohydrates: 74g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 57g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 5.1%
Calcium: 5.4%
Iron: 10%
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
One Bowl Chocolate Cake

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Reader Interactions

Latest Comments
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    • Hello Garmia. I know that vegans frequently use egg replacements with great success. I’ve heard of using 1/4 cup applesauce per egg, for instance, and there are many others. I’d recommend doing a Google search for “egg replacements in baking” and see what you can find. Best of luck!

      Reply

      • Garima Jain….you probably found your egg sub by now….but 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon flax meal….in a small dish, combine and microwave 30 seconds….cool and you have an egg sub

        Reply

      • Just want to give a replacement for eggs-vegan mayonnaise! Heinz has an eggless mayo that is vegan and I just put in a couple tablespoons in the batter.

        Reply

  3. Hi Valerie, this looks like a cake I need to try as soon as possible :-). One question though. I notice you have a fan/convection oven, so I’m curious about the temperature. Is it 350 convection or 350 conventional?

    Thanks for sharing – can’t wait to try this!!

    Reply

  5. The icin recipe says 16 ounces(4 cups) of powdered sugar. 16 ounces is 2 cups-not 4. I’m assuming 4 cups is the correct amount?

    Reply

  8. Hi Valarie, thanks for the amazing easy recepie! Do you happen to know if the results would be just as good if i substituted the icing for a homemade caramel sauce? Please let me know what you think.

    Reply

  9. I have a similar chocolate go-to cake but it has no eggs or milk. It uses one cup more flour, one cup less sugar, 4 tsp bp and one baking soda, together with the same cocoa. Mix in same van ess, one cup oil, two cups hot water and 50ml vinegar. Beat till you get a froth, then bake in a tray that has been sprayed with cooking spray, and bake at 180 deg C for just 17 minutes to get fab gooey brownies, or 20 minutes for the most softest cake. I cover with a chocolate ganache….

    Reply

  10. Tried and loved this recipe. I didn’t ice as I tried to cut out some calories.
    It froze beautifully cut into serving portions.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Hi Bonnie. While I’ve never tried using a Bundt, I’m sure it would work just fine. Watch it closely towards the end of the recommended baking time by inserting a toothpick in the center. When it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, it’s time to pull out of the oven.

      Reply

  14. Love this cake…I didnt have buttermilk so I used 3/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup milk and it turned out soooo good!!

    Reply

  15. Hi Valerie. Whenever I make a chocolate cake and the recipe calls for hot water it never turns out. I tried your recipe tonight, and even though my hopes were high- the results were the same. During the cooking duration the middle of the cake will start to bubble, towards the end the bubbles will deflate and the center concaves. Ahhh, it makes me so mad! I followed you recipe exactly, just like the others. Please help! What’s going wrong? I live in a high altitude area and my oven is run of the mill (not convection).
    Thanks, Bridget

    Reply

    • Hi Bridget. I’m sure this has been incredibly frustrating for you. Since I’m not right there with you in your kitchen, it’s hard for me to pinpoint the exact issue but I’m betting it could be due to the high altitude conditions. However, there are several other things to consider – the freshness of your ingredients, being sure not to over work the batter, etc. Take a look at this article – Rise to the Occasion – How to Keep a Cake From Falling. It includes some information you might find helpful and links to another article specifically on tips for high altitude baking. I hope this helps 🙂

      Reply

    • I find that happens at high altitude. I decreas3d the sugar by 1/4 cup decreased the soda to 11/2 teaspoons and baked it at 375 for 35 minutes

      Reply

  16. In Canada here we have powdered sugar and icing sugar. Icing sugar is the type we use for frosting a cake etc. Are you familiar with (icing sugar) and is it the same as your (powdered sugar) in the U.S. ?

    Reply

  17. Hi, I’ve just made this, the only problem was that it rose in the middle a lot more than the sides,so they were a bit dryer………can you please tell me why that may be?

    Reply

    • You might want to try taking it out of the oven a minute or two sooner. I’m betting it just baked a little too long. Glad to hear it worked out otherwise.

      Reply

  20. Hii, can you tell me the power output of your oven? Mine is 2300. This would give me an idea to alter the temperature and time accordingly. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Yes! I’ve used it for cupcakes many times. The baking time will be less so keep a close eye on them. I’d expect them to take approximately 20 minutes. For something really special, try pushing a Hershey’s Kiss into the cupcake batter before baking, delicious!

      Reply

  23. Just made this for my husband who doesn’t like homemade cake. It had to be from a box and the cans of frosting… (yuck). I think this cake just converted him to homemade.? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Well, isn’t that funny! Typically you find folks who prefer baked from scratch over a boxed mix, not the other way around. I’m glad to hear we made him a believer 🙂 Thanks so much, Heather and happy you enjoyed the cake 🙂

      Reply

      • I have family who really don’t like all my homemade goods and just like the boxed cake and store bought stuff ugh. It’s kind of weird! Oh well!
        I’m excited to try this! I just need a simple cake to make cake pops for Valentine’s day! 😊

        Reply

  24. Pretty sure this is the recipe that has been on the Hersey’s Cocoa Powder container for the last 20 years? My go to recipe also.

    Reply

    • I just grabbed my Hershey’s Cocoa Powder from my pantry and there is a recipe called Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake on the container. I’m not sure if this is the one you are referring to but it is different in both the ingredients and amounts from this one (no buttermilk, etc.). My recipe was modified from a cake recipe I’ve baked for years and years that is a bit more involved. Over time I found shortcuts and this recipe is the result. I will eventually get the original recipe published here as well. It’s a good one!

      Reply

      • I live in a country where buttermilk isn’t available; I put half a tbsp of apple vinegar and a few drops of lemon juice into the milk, let it sit for about 10 minutes and used it… worked just fine and this is now my go-to chocolate cake. Thanks, Valerie!

        Reply

  27. Valerie, my husband made this cake for my birthday and it is absolutely delicious!! We halved the recipe since it’s just us, and it was a good thing we did because we can’t get enough of it! It was so easy to make. Super rich, extra moist, and everything I wanted for my birthday. This will be a keeper for sure! 🙂

    Reply

    • I love that your husband made it for you! Glad to hear it worked out so well. I’ve used it for 13 x 9 cakes, layers cakes, and cupcakes and it has never done me wrong! Thanks so much for your comment and Happy Birthday 🙂

      Reply

  29. the cake was excellent. moist and chocolatey. I substituted the hot water with 1cup hot coffee, brings out the chocolaty flavor, yet doesn’t taste like coffee. didn’t have any luck with the frosting, it never thickened. maybe because i didn’t use all 4 cups of the powdered sugar.

    Reply

    • Coffee is an excellent substitution but I’m so sorry to hear the frosting didn’t work out for you. If it wasn’t thick enough, it seems maybe you needed to add more powdered sugar but the consistency should be somewhat thin and pourable out of the pan and then sets up on the cake as it cools. Thanks, Rhoda!

      Reply

    • You could with a multipurpose gluten free mix. Almond flour is different. It needs more eggs and such. I know because my son can only have almond flour and coconut flour. It’s a totally different baking world. Lol. There is so nice out there now for gluten free.

      Reply

  31. Hi. The cake looks yummy. But can you tell me how to do this with pressure cooker? And can it be done with a Teflon mould or an ordinary mould?

    Reply

  32. One of my favorite recipes ever! I plan to make cupcakes with this recipe for a party this week and then a layered cake for another party this weekend. It’s that time of year. 🙂 Thanks for this awesome recipe!

    Reply

        • I’ve baked this cake as a round layer cake many a time and have used everything from store-bought frosting to homemade chocolate buttercream, depending on my level of ambition 🙂 A more substantial frosting would work better for a layer cake.

          Reply

  35. The cake turned out very good. I didn’t have butter milk so I substituted it with 1 cup of whole milk and 1 tbsp white vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes before using. Used it in the frosting as well with around half tbsp vinegar but would suggest to strain it before using it in the frosting.

    Reply

  36. I made this cake last night and it came out moist and delicious – I baked it 37 minutes. Also, I used hot coffee instead of water (as another writer noted), which enhanced the chocolate in the cake. I will make this again and will add 2 extra tablespoons of cocoa powder to the icing because I like dark chocolate icing. This is definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  39. Hi, I have dutch processed cocoa powder, so is it okay to use that or does it have to be natural/unsweetened cocoa powder?

    Reply

    • From what I’ve read, regular (natural) cocoa powder, the type found most often in grocery stores (Scharffen Berger, Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, etc.), is higher in acidity than Dutch process cocoa. I think it’s best to stick with what is specified in any given recipe to ensure the cake will rise properly.

      Reply

  40. Hello! This cake and frosting were a big hit in my home tonight, so thank you! The frosting did seem a bit gritty? Any thoughts as to why. All and all so yummy!!!

    Reply

  41. OMG! I don’t know what happened.
    I followed the directions completely.
    When I put the cake in the oven, it cooked up over the top of the pan and made a huge burning mess on the bottom of my oven. Ugh! I’ll try to save it, but I think it will be by scooping it into a bowl and hiding it under some ice cream. Not even going to try to make the frosting.
    Excuse me, I have to go clean my oven………………..

    Reply

    • What size cake pan did you use, Pat? I’ve made this cake more times than I can count and it bakes up perfectly in a 13″ x 9″ pan as stated in the directions. So sorry you had trouble.

      Reply

  42. I made this cake last night but instead of hot water I added hot coffee cause I’ve heard it makes the chocolate standout more or something like that. The cake turned out delicious! I took it the next day to a gathering and everyone attacked it! This chocolate cake is the one for me. It’s a keeper! Very easy to make. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply

  44. Most easy and delicious cake! Ive made it several times and it is wonderful! Thanks for sharing! My family loves it too!

    Reply

  46. Just made cake waiting for guest to arrive so have not tried cake but icing is amazing my new go to chocolate icing thanks for the recipe

    Reply

  47. Made this twice, once with the icing and one with a whipped cream frosting. So good !!! My favorite chocolate cake both ways but love the icing too! Double chocolate!

    Reply

  49. Hi There!! Love this cake!! I am just curious if the 460 calories is per serving (one slice) or for the entire cake!

    Much thanks,

    Shelby.

    Reply

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