The Best Fluffy One Bowl Chocolate Cake

This one bowl chocolate cake is super light and fluffy and is topped with a decadent chocolate buttercream. It is my favorite go to chocolate cake because it is just SO easy to make and has a rich chocolate flavor. It’s the best cake for any celebration from birthdays to holidays or any special day.

If you are looking for an easy but delicious chocolate cake, look no further! This cake is super easy to make, has a delicate light crumb, and is packed with chocolate flavor. My favorite thing about this cake is that you can make it in one bowl.

All you have to do is combine the dry ingredients, eggs, and then the wet ingredients in one bowl and mix! It seriously could not be easier to make a chocolate cake from scratch.

As a trained pastry chef I like to work smarter not harder so this recipe is also the base recipe for some others on my site like my 6 inch chocolate cake, chocolate filled cupcakes, and small batch chocolate cupcakes.

Top it with a chocolate buttercream that is made with cocoa powder (for more ease) and you have the perfect chocolate cake!

Ingredients you need

• White Sugar – White sugar helps sweeten the inside of the cake and blends in smoothly with the cake batter. 
• All Purpose Flour – AP flour makes up the base of the dry ingredients of this cake. 
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This is what gives the cake a chocolate flavor and deep brown color. 
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder – The combination of these two ingredients help the cake rise and give it a fluffy texture while it still stays dense. 
• Kosher Salt – Balances the sweetness in the cake. 
• Eggs – Eggs help any cake bind together while baking and create the crust on the top and sides. 
• Vanilla Extract – The perfect flavor extract that pairs well with any baked chocolate cake. 
• Whole Milk Yogurt – Yogurt is responsible for making the cake moist setting it apart from store bought cakes. 
• Coffee – Adds a rich decadent flavor that pairs very well with chocolate and gives the cake a little something extra. 
• Vegetable Oil – This helps make the batter smooth and rich. 

How to make a one bowl chocolate cake

Step 1: Bring all of your baking ingredients to room temperature and preheat the oven to 350° F and spray a 9″ x 13″ rectangular pan or 3, 8″ round cake pans with baking spray. 

Step 2: In the bowl of a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and tsp kosher salt. Mix by hand or on low speed for 15 seconds.

Step 3: In a medium sized bowl combine the eggs, yogurt, vanilla extract, coffee, and vegetable oil. Whisk until combined. 

Step 4: Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix by hand or on low- medium speed for 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated. 

Step 5: Pour the batter into the one pan or divide it evenly between the three cake pans and bake.

Step 6: The cake is done when the edges start to pull away from the pan and when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Top or fill and frost the cake with easy chocolate buttercream frosting.

Why add coffee to chocolate cake?

Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor and will bring out some more of its richness. It’s one of my best kept secrets in a lot of my chocolate recipes.

If you’re not a regular coffee drinker, invest in some good quality instant coffee — you can throw it into any number of chocolate baked goods, so don’t worry about wasting your money on an ingredient you’ll never use again.

To make the coffee use 1-2 tbsp coffee with 1 cup of hot water.

Tips for the Making the cake

• The best way to measure ingredients is with a kitchen scale. Otherwise you can accidentally add too much flour into the batter changing its consistency. If you don’t have a scale, spoon your dry ingredients into a measuring cup and then level it off with a knife.
• The cake batter is very liquidy so dont think you messed it up!
• You can make this in a 9×13″ pan or in 3, 8″ round pans. Make sure to check the different baking times below.
• You can leave out the coffee and use warm water instead. The warm water helps bloom the chocolate and bring out the flavor.

How to decorate the cake

To decorate, you can frost the cake using an offset spatula and chocolate buttercream frosting, then top it with fun sprinkles.

Storing and freezing

Storing- Store this cake covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. It does not need to be refrigerated.

Freezing– This cake freezes really well! I recommend freezing it before adding the buttercream. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe FAQ

Do I have to add in the coffee? No you dont have to add in the coffee. You can add warm water instead in the same amount.

How can I make this cake dairy-free? Use a non dairy yogurt for this recipe.

Can I make this cake into cupcakes? Absolutely! This recipe would make close to 50 cupcakes. Cut it in half to make less.

What other frosting can I try? SO many! Try this coffee buttercream frosting, my ultimate cream cheese frosting, or this strawberry cream cheese frosting.

More Chocolate Cakes