• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • About

The Gardening Foodie

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • About
×

18th June 2021

One Bowl Chocolate Cake (No eggs, No butter)

Create a soft chocolatey moist cake with this One bowl chocolate cake recipe. No eggs, butter, dairy or stand mixers needed. With just one bowl, a whisk and a few basic ingredients you can create an amazing chocolate cake delight.

Create a soft chocolatey moist cake with this One bowl chocolate cake recipe. No eggs, butter, dairy or stand mixers needed. With just one bowl, a whisk and a few basic ingredients you can create an amazing chocolate cake delight.

There are many spins on the classic chocolate cake, but I doubt I will ever find one that is as easy, quick delicious and budget-friendly   

The best part is that this is the most forgiving, flop proof cake I have ever made.

Just a note on a few ingredients and substitutes if needed

While I've included the full printable recipe below, this is the section to read if you’re wondering about ingredient substitutions or how these ingredients work in the recipe.

Flour: I use cake flour for this recipe. However, if you cannot get cake flour in the country in which you live, then you can use all-purpose flour.

Sugar: White granulated sugar is used for these cookies.

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Baking soda (Bicarbonate of soda): Extra salt or baking soda can ruin otherwise perfect cakes and cookies. Scoop the baking soda into the spoon until it’s full, leveling off the spoon with the straight edge of a spatula or knife.

Vinegar: Usually, eggs act as a leavening agent helping the cake to rise. However, for this cake baking soda/bicarbonate of soda serves as the leavening agent.

Bicarbonate of soda is an alkali which needs an acid to react with, which in most cake recipes is buttermilk or sour cream. Since this cake does not contain any dairy, vinegar is as the acid instead.

These two ingredients work together, creating a soft texture. There is no taste of the vinegar in the baked cake at all.

Oil: Use a neutral-flavoured oil like canola or sunflower oil

Salt

Vanilla extract

Create a soft chocolatey moist cake with this One bowl chocolate cake recipe. No eggs, butter, dairy or stand mixers needed. With just one bowl, a whisk and a few basic ingredients you can create an amazing chocolate cake delight.

Making the one bowl chocolate cake

While the video and the full printable recipe are written below, this is the process with step-by-step pictures to guide you.

  • Add dry ingredients into a large bowl: Add flour, sugar, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), salt and cocoa powder into a large bowl. Whisk well until combined.

Add dry ingredients into a large bowl: Add flour, sugar, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), salt and cocoa powder into a large bowl. Whisk well until combined.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Pour the vanilla extract, vinegar, warm water and oil into the dry ingredients and mix well until combined.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Pour the vanilla extract, vinegar, warm water and oil into the dry ingredients and mix well until combined.

Mix until combined: Mix until combined and pour into the greased and lined cake pan.
  • Bake: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
  • Cool: Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting if preferred.

Bake: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool: Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting if preferred.

Chocolate Ganache (Optional)

Add dark chocolate pieces to warm cream. Allow the chocolate to soften in the cream for about 5 minutes before stirring.

The ganache thickens as it cools. You can pour the ganache onto the cooled cake or allow it to thicken to the desired consistency before spreading it onto the cooled cake.

Chocolate Ganache (Optional)

Toppings and frosting ideas

These can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Depending on the occasion or your mood (mine is always for chocolate 🙂 have fun with the topping. Here are the best toppings I have used in my recipes if you would like to give it a try:

Use your favourite frosting to decorate the cake. It can be as simple as a dusting of powdered sugar or as elaborate topped with a rich buttercream frosting which I used on my recipe for condensed milk lemon cake

  • Top with a simple dusting of powdered sugar
  • Frost with piped or spread with  my favourite chocolate buttercream
  • Try my delicious stabilized 3 ingredient whipped cream frosting (without gelatin) and top with seasonal fruit
  • Cover with chocolate ganache.

There are many spins on the classic chocolate cake, but I doubt I will ever find one that is as easy, quick delicious and budget-friendly    The best part is that this is the most forgiving, flop proof cake I have ever made.

Enjoy ♥

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my other amazing cake recipes

Still hungry for more?

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, or Subscribe free for the latest recipe post updates

One Bowl Chocolate Cake (No eggs, No butter)

One Bowl Chocolate Cake ( No eggs, No butter)

Create a soft chocolatey moist cake with this One bowl chocolate cake recipe . No eggs, no butter, no stand mixers are needed. Just one bowl a whisk and a few basic ingredients are required to create this chocolate cake delight.
5 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins

Ingredients
 
 

DRY INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ½ cup All-Purpose Flour or Cake Flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ level teaspoon baking soda / bicarbonate of soda

WET INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • ⅓ cup oil canola or sunflower
  • 1 cup warm water

CHOCOLATE GANACHE ( OPTIONAL)

  • 1 ½ cups chocolate broken into pieces
  • ½ cup warm whipping cream

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 180℃/350℉ (160℃ fan) Lightly grease and line an 8 inch / 20cm square or round pan.
  • Whisk the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
  • Add in the wet ingredients: Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.
  • Mix until combined: Mix until combined and pour into the greased and lined cake pan.
  • Bake: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
  • Cool: Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting if preferred.

Chocolate Ganache (optional)

  • Add dark chocolate pieces to warmed cream. Allow the chocolate to soften in the cream for about 5 minutes before stirring.
  • The ganache thickens as it cools. Allow it to thicken for about 10 minutes or to the desired consistency before spreading over the cooled cake.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 9slicesCalories: 1451kcalCarbohydrates: 336gProtein: 22gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 5gSugar: 200gCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Tried this recipe? Let me know how it was in the comments below

More Best Chocolate recipes

  • Chocolate Cake Tiramisu (without eggs and butter)
  • Chocolate Dipped Chai Biscotti
  • Microwave Double Chocolate Lamingtons (egg free)
  • Best Chocolate Cake (no eggs, no butter)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    September 27, 2018 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds way too easy, Ashika! Nothing chocolate should be so quick to prepare :). And it looks so decadent too! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      September 30, 2018 at 10:38 pm

      Thank you Kelsie, oh yes it is definitely easy and really delicious...my favorite chocolate cake recipe:)
      Have a great weekend as well 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ron says

    September 27, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    love a good chocolate cake and this one look so good and not difficult to make. It's now pinned in on my dessert board and will be made soon.

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      September 30, 2018 at 10:36 pm

      Thank you Ron, chocolate cake is pretty hard to resist, thank you for pinning, and hope that you get to make it soon 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

    September 27, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    This is chocolate heaven and looks so easy to make!! I think the frosting is a definite MUST though ?. Yum!!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      September 30, 2018 at 10:34 pm

      Thank you Kelly,Oh YES,definitely chocolate heaven and really easy too 🙂

      Reply
  4. 2pots2cook says

    September 28, 2018 at 7:26 am

    5 stars
    Pinned; one bowl, 20 minutes ? Just perfect !

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      September 30, 2018 at 10:32 pm

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Reply
  5. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    September 30, 2018 at 4:13 am

    One bowl, no eggs, no butter!? This is amazing! It looks sooooo moist my friend! I wouldn't be able to stop at just one piece!!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      September 30, 2018 at 10:31 pm

      Yes really it is that easy. Haha,believe me it is way too irresistable to stop at one piece...I did'nt 🙂

      Reply
  6. Laura says

    October 01, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    Ashika - what a great recipe this is! So easy, I might just give the recipe to my son when he needs to bake something! Thanks! Pinning this!

    Reply
  7. Maria | kitchenathoskins says

    October 02, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Can't have enough chocolate cake recipes. I love this version with no eggs, this will be perfect for my friend who has been after me for an eggless cake recipe. Gonna forward this to her.

    Reply
  8. Yasmin says

    October 27, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you Ashika ! What an awesome recipe. Made it yesterday with fresh cream topping and it was a hit!!!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      October 27, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Awww Thank you Yasmin, that is absolutely great,I am so glad that you liked the recipe too 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jane says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:59 am

    Many thanks for your humble recipe. We made it yesterday with Walnuts and it was yummy.

    Reply
  10. Adeline Lee says

    December 30, 2018 at 8:56 pm

    May I ask how you create the uneven top? Thanks.

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      December 30, 2018 at 9:40 pm

      Hi Adeline, to create the uneven tops, I just run a spatula or butter knife in lines over the frosting before it sets or hardens.
      I hope that this helps answer your question 🙂

      Reply
  11. Carol Stebbins says

    January 25, 2019 at 8:07 am

    My neighbor’s family made this years ago,called it a crazy cake and put buttercream frosting on it.It was absolutely amazing and easy to make.

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      January 27, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Carol, yes it is a great recipe and really delicious too.I hope that you get a chance to try it out as well 🙂

      Reply
  12. Natasha says

    May 06, 2019 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    Such a day saver recipe, Anshika! I am already lovin' it and so did my friends

    Reply
  13. Pat says

    June 01, 2019 at 10:25 pm

    Do you white vinegar or Apple cider vinegar?

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      June 01, 2019 at 10:45 pm

      Hi Pat, I use white vinegar 🙂

      Reply
  14. Gurpreet Sen says

    August 24, 2019 at 5:58 am

    Hi,
    Awesome recipe...can i add nuts to this recipe

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      August 24, 2019 at 7:54 am

      Hi, Gurpreet, thank you 🙂
      Yes, you can definitely include nuts into the batter, it will taste great.
      Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  15. Kelly Khaw says

    January 01, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    Hi Ashika-San,

    Thanks for your no-eggs-no butter recipe; in fact I have been looking for such recipe as I want to used as little as possible the number of ingridients 🙂 Your recipe is so simple and effortless and I like it very much.
    I have baked the cake today. My cake turned out to be springy(smells good though) is it supposed to be that way? How is the cake batter supposed to be?
    FYI, I have reduced the sugar to just 100g and the oil to around 30ml. My cake batter seems to be 'liquid/watery'. resulting I baked it in 2 cycles of 35 mins per cycle using a rice cooker with baking function.

    I would like to try it out again. Please advise.

    Thanks
    Kelly

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      January 03, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Kelly,

      Thank you for your kind words 🙂
      I am glad that you gave this recipe a try and would love to answer your questions: With regards to the batter, yes it does have a liquidy type of consistency. Reducing the sugar and oil is totally fine and will not impact on the texture, although it may be less sweet, that is according to your taste.
      Using a rice cooker is great, however the cake will have a slightly different texture as compared to using an oven.
      When you say springy, do you mean that the texture was dry?
      If that is the case, then I suggest that you not overbake the cake. Test with a skewer at 15 minutes and if it is not yet baked, then every 2 minutes after that. As soon as the skewer comes out clean, without any batter clinging to it, then you should remove it from the oven.
      I hope that this helps answer your questions 🙂

      Reply
  16. Eileen says

    March 17, 2020 at 11:24 pm

    This cake was awesome! Even better next day. Very moist, nice chocolate flavor and great as is with no frosting. Even better next day. Took closer to 30 minutes baking time for me.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      March 20, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Eileen, thank you. You are welcome 🙂
      I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe too 🙂

      Reply
  17. Siân says

    March 30, 2020 at 12:41 pm

    5 stars
    Great cake! So easy and tasty! I've spread the word of this blog! Many thanks

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      March 31, 2020 at 12:29 am

      Hi Siân, Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it and for your amazing support of my blog 🙂

      Thank you as well for your feedback on this recipe. I am so glad that you enjoyed this delicious bake too 🙂

      Reply
  18. Pearlie says

    April 08, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Haven't tried the recipe yet but I am very excited! I have a question, what type of vinegar should I use, would rice vinegar work?

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      April 09, 2020 at 11:18 pm

      Hi Pearlie. It is great that you want to give this recipe a try 🙂
      I use white or grape vinegar. Its purpose is to react with the baking soda so that the cake rises. There is no taste of the vinegar in the cake.
      I have never tried rice vinegar and am not sure whether it will alter the taste and texture of the baked cake.

      Reply
  19. Maggie De Luca says

    April 11, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent Chocolate cake!! My grandchildren and daughters all love it!! I luv to layer them!! I made one and I forgot to add the warm water what will happen? Is it still editable?

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      April 11, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      Hi, Maggie 🙂 Thank you, I am glad that you and your family enjoyed this cake so much.
      Regarding your question: The warm water is to add moisture to the cake and create a softer texture. Without it, the cake will still taste great but may have a slightly dense or drier texture. Just add a good layer of chocolate or any frosting to try to compensate for the drier texture and it should be just perfect 🙂
      I would love to know how it turns out 🙂
      Enjoy

      Reply
  20. Arleen Leone says

    May 24, 2020 at 3:53 am

    5 stars
    This was really good and easy. Will def make it again.

    Reply
  21. Jo says

    May 27, 2020 at 12:02 am

    I’ve tried this and it came out so lovely! Just wondering can this be layered. Planning on making a 3 tier cake, 8inch. Just wondering if the cake is strong enough to hold. Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      May 27, 2020 at 12:56 am

      Hi Jo 🙂 Thank you for giving this recipe a try and I am glad that you loved it too.
      Regarding your question: I have used this recipe to create a two-tier cake using a light buttercream frosting and it held perfectly. I am not sure what type of frosting you will be using. It might be a bit heavy if you are going to use fondant, then you are going to need additional support.
      I hope that this helps answer your question 🙂

      Reply
      • Jo says

        May 27, 2020 at 10:32 pm

        Hi, thank you so much for replying back. Your reply has been helpful. I was planning on using fondant. As it’s for my sons 3rd birthday and he loves the colour red. Was just planning on using a simple buttercream recipe. I think I may have to use another cake recipe. Especially as it’s a three tier cake. Which is a shame, because your recipe was so simple but probably the best cake I’ve made, taste and bake! Thanks for your help! X

        Reply
        • The Gardening Foodie says

          May 27, 2020 at 11:48 pm

          Hi Jo... you are welcome 🙂 If you are looking for a cake that holds well under fondant you can give this one a try. It is perfect for stacking and covering with fondant. You can also leave out the lemon flavouring if you prefer: https://thegardeningfoodie.com/condensed-milk-lemon-cake/
          I hope this helps and an early happy birthday wish to your son from me 🙂

          Reply
  22. Coco says

    June 02, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Hello! The amount of sugar seems to be crazy high. Can I reduce the sugar by half and still achieve the same result?

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      June 02, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Hi Coco. Yes you can reduce the sugar in the recipe ☺️. The only difference will be that it is less sweet. It will not affect the texture of the cake.

      Reply
  23. Sue from West Oz says

    August 19, 2021 at 3:22 am

    Can you freeze this cake?

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      August 19, 2021 at 10:21 am

      Hi Sue, yes you can freeze this cake. However, I suggest that you freeze it without frosting.
      1. Bake and completely cool the cake
      2. Once the cake cools completely, wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap/cling wrap
      3. Wrap again in aluminum foil, this keeps the cake dry, protecting it from condensation or moisture.
      4. Place the cake in a freezer safe container. This will keep it safe from breaking.
      5. To thaw, Transfer the wrapped cakes from the freezer to the refrigerator one day before frosting. It takes at least 8 hours to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Do not remove the wrapping from the cake until it has completely thawed out.
      These cakes can be frozen for up to 3 months.

      I hope this helps answer your question.

      Happy baking 🙂

      Reply
  24. Alice says

    February 26, 2022 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this cake multiple times now. It is definitely a go - to cake for me and my family. We all love it! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • The Gardening Foodie says

      February 28, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      Hi Alice, Thank you and you are very welcome 🙂
      Honestly, this is one of my favorite easy bakes for birthdays or just an anytime treat as well.
      I am so glad that you and your family love it too 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

author
Welcome to my blog on simple gardening ideas and easy-to-follow recipes. Great recipes made with everyday ingredients to create impressive treats. Let me show you just how easy it really is. Enjoy ♥
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • instagram
  • youtube

Popular recipes

No Yeast Soft Donut Recipe
Danish Butter Cookies
2 Ingredient Donuts
3 ingredient Butter Cookies
Cinnamon Buttermilk Loaf
Stovetop Custard Cream Buns
One Bowl Chocolate Cake (No eggs, No butter)
Homemade Corn Tortillas

Footer

home

↑ BACK TO TOP

MENU

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Gardening
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures

SUBSCRIBE


 

Copyright © 2023