If you’re new around here – Hi, I’m Charlotte, and I’m such a lazy baker. Add that to the fact that I don’t own a dishwasher, and the result is a constant pile of dishes next to the sink, that almost always includes many baking bowls. And we’ve got a tiny tiny kitchen. Bad times.
To remedy this, I’ve put together a list of fifty recipes that will only need one bowl. Yep, just the one. You’ll probably also need a spatula, some measuring spoons, and something to bake in or on, or something to eat it from, but there’s nothing I can do about that.
There are cookies, there is fudge. There are also six cake recipes, which is a feat in itself, what with every cake around needing either frosting or a separate bowl for the butter/sugar beating. But I searched high and low through this blog, and many many others, to find you tasty, easy, and low maintenance recipes for when you want to bake something, but you can’t be bothered to deal with the clean-up.
Cookies & Biscuits
Cookies are by far the easiest recipes to turn into one bowl wonders, and that’s why they’re up first. Some need chilling, others don’t, but the one thing they’ve all got in common is they’re totally scrumptious and great for novice bakers and pros alike.
1 – Super Berry Granola Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). The newest recipe here on my blog only needs one bowl. How convenient. This stuff doesn’t just plan itself you know.
2 – Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). My all-time favourite cookie recipe, and it’s such an easy one. You don’t even need to chill these babies. And they taste phenomenal.
3 – Salted Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Slice & Bake Cookies (Sally’s Baking Addiction). I’ve waxed lyrical about Sally’s recipes many many times before, and this one is no different. She isn’t the Queen of cookies for nothing you know.
4 – Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). No flour? No problem! These easy little cookies come together with just peanut butter, sugar, eggs, and some rolled oats. Baking doesn’t get easier than this (said in a Gregg Wallace voice, obvs.).
5 – Vanilla Sugar Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). My go-to vanilla sugar cookie recipe. It might have spawned many similar recipes over the years, but this is a classic.
6 – Brownie Cookies (Sugar & Soul). Can’t decide if you want a tray of brownies or a plate of cookies to go with that glass of milk? Rebecca’s got you covered.
7 – Cherry Coconut Macaroons (What Charlotte Baked). Proper old-school coconut macaroons, made with shredded coconut and loads of glace cherries.
8 – Dark Gingerbread Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). Gingerbread cookies made with a generous helping of black treacle (or molasses) and some cocoa powder for that extra bit of excitement. Not just for Christmas!
9 – Toffee Crunch Cookies (Bunsen Burner Bakery). These chewy and crunchy toffee cookies are the perfect use for the “Bits o’ Brickle” I bought back from my recent trip to the States.
10 – Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). Mint chocolate chip ice cream flavoured cookies. Need I say more?
11 – White Chocolate Strawberry Cookies (What Charlotte Baked). The perfect summer cookie, this slice-and-bake recipe uses dried strawberries and white chocolate chips to give you that strawberries and cream vibe.
Bars and Brownies
If you’ve been around here before then you’ll know that brownies are my nemesis (hence why there are no brownie recipes from this blog on the list below!). But one of my all-time favourite bakes – the Mars Bar Rice Krispie treat – does make an appearance.
12 – Simply Perfect Rice Krispie Treats (Baking a Moment). Rice Krispie treats are the easiest one bowl traybake of all time, and they’re not just for kids. Promise.
13 – Fudgy Oreo Brownies (Marsha’s Baking Addiction). If you’re as pants at making brownies as I am, you definitely want to keep things as simple as possible. This one bowl Oreo brownie recipe from Marsha keeps things super easy by melting everything together in the microwave.
14 – Mars Bar Cakes (What Charlotte Baked). Rice Krispie treats have a delicious makeover with the help of one of my fave chocolate bars of all time.
15 – Custard Cream Blondies (Olive Magazine). Custard creams (or Golden Oreos) are the perfect addition to this easy blondie recipe.
16 – Nutella Brownies (Sally’s Baking Addiction). Because who doesn’t love Nutella? Just swirl it into this easy brownie batter, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
17 – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies (What Charlotte Baked). One of my wife’s all-time favourites, these super simple blondies are filled with dark chocolate chips and tonnes of peanut butter.
18 – Oreo Brownies with Raspberries (Taming Twins). Can you even think of three better things in life than brownies, Oreos, and raspberries?
Cakes & Cupcakes
Finding one bowl cakes was a bit more of a challenge, as generally cakes need frosting (and therefore also need more than one bowl). Muffins and loaf cakes are my saviour! No decorating also means less fuss in the kitchen, and more time to munch.
19 – Banana Date & Honey Loaf Cake (Hungry Little Bear). Because loaf cakes are the easiest (no frosting or decoration needed) and because who doesn’t love the sound of honey, bananas, and the chewy toffee flavour of dates.
20 – Chocolate Cherry Loaf Cake (What Charlotte Baked). Chocolate and cherry is my go-to. Ask anyone. They’ll tell you. They will.
21 – Nutella Swirl Cupcakes (Bunsen Burner Bakery). I just love a Nutella swirl. And muffins are the king of easy baking – no frosting needed.
22 – Raspberry Coconut Loaf Cake (The Lovecats Inc). This is a loaf cake that takes 5 minutes to throw together, and also has a topping too. And all with just one bowl. Plus coconut and raspberries equals heaven any day of the week.
23 – Lemon Pound Cake (Baking a Moment). I just had to get a bundt cake in here at some point, and this moist lemon pound cake version from Allie is just perfect.
24 – Salted Caramel Banana Bread (What Charlotte Baked). An easy banana loaf cake, that’s made even easier by using store-bought salted caramel sauce, and banana chips for decoration.
Breakfast & Brunch
Breakfast is my absolute favourite meal of the day – I can’t get on board with people who skip it. I’ve got some super quick smoothie bowls for you, as well as things that take a little more time, like homemade granola and freshly cooked waffles. Who said breakfast had to be boring?
25 – Cherry Bakewell Granola (What Charlotte Baked). I’m on a one-woman mission to get desserts into breakfast-time. A little bit healthier than some of my other breakfast bakes!
26 – Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie Bowl (Ahead of Thyme). I absolutely adore smoothie bowls. Almost like eating ice cream for breakfast, but good for you. This tropical one from Sam includes mango, pineapple, banana, and coconut, but the beauty of a smoothie bowl is that you can top it with whatever you like.
27 – Chocolate Waffles (What Charlotte Baked). My absolute favourite breakfast. Great for a brunch with family or friends, as the topping options are endless. I love fresh raspberries, chocolate sauce, and some whipped cream on mine FYI.
28 – Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (What Charlotte Baked). I’m a bit of a newcomer to the overnight oats game, but Katie loved these PB oats – especially when topped with chocolate chips and banana slices.
29 – Springy Blueberry Lemon Bread (Pinch of Yum). Blueberries and lemon just scream spring to me, so now is the perfect time to whip up a loaf of Lindsay’s blueberry lemon bread. Serve cold with a generous helping of butter!
30 – Chewy Raspberry Apple Granola Bars (Amy’s Healthy Baking). Having breakfast on the go? Amy’s granola bars, which include apple sauce and raspberries are healthy and easy to make ahead.
31 – Cherry Bakewell Smoothie Bowl (What Charlotte Baked). I told you, I’m determined to eat desserts before 9am! Although, this one’s not at all bad for you. So have at it.
32 – Speedy Granola Parfait Pots (Sheer Luxe). Possibly the easiest recipe on my list – this one doesn’t even need a bowl at all. Just scoop some yogurt into a glass, add some honey, berries, and granola, and you’re done.
Ice Cream & Ice Lollies
Frozen treats are one of my favourites to make – and with the gorgeous spring weather we’ve been having this weekend, it surely won’t be long until I bust out the ice cream maker. Whether you’ve got an ice cream machine or not, I’ve got seven delicious frozen treats that you can easily make at home – all without the need for mountains of washing up!
33 – Mojito Ice Lollies (What Charlotte Baked). Some people may think it’s over-hyped, but personally I’m a big fan of a Mojito. So much so that I turned the most popular cocktail of the moment into ice lollies. Just perfect for summer.
34 – Raspberry & Elderflower Sorbet (Donna Hay). Sorbet is one of my favourite desserts (hey, I’m not all about the chocolate you know) and what could be better than mixing tart raspberries and floral elderflower together?
35 – Espresso Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Table for Two). Only four ingredients and an ice cream maker needed? Count me in.
36 – Pineapple Lemonade Ice Pops (Courtney’s Sweets). Pineapple is second only to watermelon as my favourite summer fruit, and these three ingredient ice pops sound like they’d go down perfectly on a hot day.
37 – Creamy Lemon Ice Pops (What Charlotte Baked). If you like your ice lollies a bit creamier, then these are the guys for you. Tangy lemon juice (and zest) plus some yogurt and honey are all you need.
38 – Chocolate Fudge Pops (Crazy for Crust). Can you believe these babies need only two ingredients? And seeing as one of them is Nutella, I’m sold.
39 – No Churn Mojito Ice Cream (Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen). If you don’t have an ice cream maker, then Charlotte’s got you covered with this no churn recipe.
Soft Drinks & Smoothies
Summer is definitely on the horizon, so why not get the blender out and make yourself a delicious homemade smoothie, or whip up a fruity mocktail. No skill needed!
40 – Mocktail Fruit Cup (Garnish). I can’t really drink too much alcohol any more, but there’s not much I love more than sitting down to watch Wimbledon on a summer’s day with a glass of Pimms in my hand. Katie from the Garnish blog has solved all my problems with this mocktail version. Thanks Katie!
41 – Super Berry Smoothie (Hungry Little Bear). Everyone loves a homemade smoothie, and this one from Kathryn is no exception. It’s easy to switch up the berries, so you can add more of your favourites if wanted.
42 – Toblerone Hot Chocolate (What Charlotte Baked). My absolute favourite hot chocolate ever. Never to be beaten. Christmas in a mug.
43 – Mocktail Chic a Cherry Cola (Garnish). Homemade grown-up cherry Coke? Hell yes.
44 – Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie (Taste & See). Ahhh, raspberries and lemons. The most summery of smoothies. Cute striped straw mandatory!
45 – Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate (Sally’s Baking Addiction). I’m on a bit of a slow cooker binge at the moment, so knowing I can use it to make hot chocolate too makes me very happy. Perfect for winter get-togethers.
Candy & Sweets
Easy condensed milk fudge is the holy grail of easy candy recipes, but I’ve also got chocolate bark, popcorn, and even apple chips if you’re after something a little bit healthier.
46 – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Fudge (What Charlotte Baked). One of the easiest recipes on my blog – basically just peanut butter, icing sugar, and butter. But it tastes like heaven!
47 – Sweet Popcorn (Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen). Popcorn’s not just for the cinema any more.
48 – Apple Chips (Sifting Through Life). As easy as slicing some apples, coating with some spices, and baking for a couple of hours in the oven.
49 – Rocky Road Chocolate Bark (What Charlotte Baked). Crunchy Rice Krispie chocolate bark, topped with broken cookies and marshmallows. Makes a great gift.
50 – Funfetti Golden Oreo Fudge (Sally’s Baking Addiction). Easy condensed milk vanilla fudge, with golden Oreos inside and on top. Also try with Custard Creme biscuits if you’re a Brit.