Have you ever craved a rich, decadent chocolate cake but dreaded the mountain of dishes afterward? This one bowl chocolate cake solves that problem perfectly. Making this easy chocolate cake recipe at home not only saves you money compared to bakery prices, but it also fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and gives you complete control over ingredients. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself on a Tuesday evening, this foolproof recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal cleanup. The beauty of this one bowl chocolate cake lies in its simplicity—no stand mixer required, no fancy techniques, just pure chocolatey goodness that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients List
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- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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- 2 cups granulated sugar
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- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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- 2 teaspoons baking soda
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- 1 teaspoon baking powder
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- 1 teaspoon salt
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- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
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- 1 cup warm coffee (or hot water)
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- 1 cup buttermilk
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- ½ cup vegetable oil
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- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Frosting:
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- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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- 3 cups powdered sugar
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- ⅓ cup milk
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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- Optional: Chocolate chips or sprinkles for decoration
Timing / Cooking Schedule
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30-35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
This cake comes together faster than most boxed mixes, making it perfect for last-minute celebrations or weekend baking projects with kids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans. Pro tip: Use cocoa powder instead of flour for dusting to avoid white residue on your dark cake.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In one large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps—this ensures even distribution throughout your batter.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon or whisk, stir everything together until just combined. The batter will be thin—this is exactly what you want for a moist cake! This easy chocolate cake recipe requires minimal mixing to avoid tough texture.
