8 One-Bowl Cake Recipes for Homemade Treats Without the Mess

Champagne Cake with Fresh Strawberries
Photo: Jason Donnelly

When you need an easy-prep dessert, a one-bowl cake is a smart way to go. These cake recipes are a breeze to prepare and—even better—require minimal cleanup. Here you'll find one-bowl chocolate cakes, apple cakes, and even cakes with booze (like this stunning strawberry champagne cake).

01 of 08

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake with powdered sugar dusting
Andy Lyons

There's a good chance you already have all the ingredients in your pantry to make this one-bowl chocolate cake. Plus, it only requires 4 minutes of mixing time before you're pouring the batter into the pan to bake. Keep things simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or top with your favorite frosting.

02 of 08

Easy Orange-Carrot Cake

Easy Orange-Carrot Cake
David Loftus

If you love classic carrot cake but don't want to spend the time making multiple layers, you're in for a real treat. Our one-bowl cake features carrots, orange, and warm spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger). Topped with a super simple sour cream frosting, your sweet tooth will be satisfied in no time.

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03 of 08

Champagne Cake with Fresh Strawberries

Champagne Cake with Fresh Strawberries
Jason Donnelly

Looking for a fun way to spruce up a boxed cake mix? Add booze, of course! This one-bowl cake recipe replaces the water in the cake mix with champagne (or sparkling wine). The resulting cake is light, airy, and irresistible with fresh strawberries.

04 of 08

One-Bowl Chocolate S'more Cake

One-Bowl Chocolate S'more Cake
Jason Donnelly

No need to start a fire to get a taste of your favorite camping treat. This one-bowl chocolate cake spreads a jar of marshmallow creme on the still-warm cake for a simple, yet eye-catching frosting. Top with graham crackers and you've got a s'mores dessert for the whole family to enjoy.

Buy It: KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer ($55, Amazon)

05 of 08

Lemon Bundt Cake

Lemon Bundt Cake
Blaine Moats

If bundt cakes are already your go-to when you want dessert without a lot of decorating, this one-bowl cake recipe will become a favorite. Simply whisk together the ingredients, pour into your bundt pan, and bake. Add a little lemon zest to top your simple powdered sugar glaze for a pop of color.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Formed-Aluminum Bundt Cake Pan ($28, Williams Sonoma)

06 of 08

Banana-Clementine Wacky Cake with Pomegranate Sauce

Banana-Clementine Wacky Cake with Pomegranate Sauce
Jason Donnelly

This all-in-one cake recipe skips the bowl and goes right to the pan. The dry ingredients go into the pan first before gently stirring in fruit, melted butter, and vinegar (this makes it super airy and moist). The pomegranate sauce provides the perfect contrast of color on the plate and sweetness to every bite.

07 of 08

Chocolate Harvest Cake

Chocolate Harvest Cake
James Carriere

No one will ever believe a cake this gorgeous came together in just one bowl. The cake features buttermilk to bring a pleasant tang to the rich chocolate notes. Our filling combines cream cheese and canned pumpkin to give the one-bowl chocolate cake a taste of fall.

08 of 08

Spiced Rum Cake

Spiced Rum Cake
Scott Little

Here's another one-bowl cake using a bit of alcohol to elevate a boxed mix. Rum is used in place of the water to give this spice cake a kick. We also added a bit of pumpkin pie spice to further amplify those warm flavors.

Buy It: Checkered Chef Cooling Racks For Baking ($12, Amazon)

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