Baking · serves 2

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

No eggs, no mixer, no creaming. Whisk it in one bowl and bake.

55 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups maida
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup water or milk

Method

  1. Whisk all the dry ingredients together in the tin itself if you like — flour, sugar, cocoa, soda, salt.
  2. Make three wells. Oil in one, vinegar in another, vanilla in the third.
  3. Pour the water over everything and whisk until smooth.
  4. The vinegar and soda react immediately, so get it into the oven within two minutes. That reaction is what lifts an eggless cake.
  5. 180°C for 32-35 minutes.
  6. Cool completely before icing, or the icing slides off.

Questions people ask about One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

How long does One-Bowl Chocolate Cake take?

About 55 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in One-Bowl Chocolate Cake?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make One-Bowl Chocolate Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is One-Bowl Chocolate Cake vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for One-Bowl Chocolate Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with One-Bowl Chocolate Cake?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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