20 Delicious Desserts You Can Make in One Bowl

Look, I’m not here to judge your kitchen cleanup habits, but if you’re anything like me, the worst part of baking isn’t the waiting or the inevitable urge to eat half the batter—it’s that mountain of dishes staring at you afterward. Mixing bowls, measuring cups, whisks, spatulas—seriously, who signed up for this?

That’s why one-bowl desserts are basically a gift from the baking gods. You toss everything into one bowl, stir it up, and boom—you’ve got something sweet and delicious without sacrificing your entire evening to sudsy water and scrub brushes. No stand mixer gymnastics, no fifty different containers cluttering your counter, just pure, simple satisfaction.

Whether you’re craving something chocolate-heavy, fruity and light, or ridiculously indulgent, I’ve got you covered with 20 desserts that’ll make your taste buds happy and your sink even happier. Let’s get into it.

Why One-Bowl Desserts Are Actually Genius

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk about why this whole one-bowl thing isn’t just lazy—it’s legitimately smart. First off, fewer dishes mean less cleanup, which means more time for the important stuff (like eating your creation). But beyond that, one-bowl recipes tend to be more forgiving.

When you’re not transferring ingredients between multiple bowls, you’re less likely to lose track of what you’ve already added. Ever done the whole “wait, did I already put in the baking powder?” panic mid-recipe? Yeah, one-bowl baking minimizes that. Plus, these recipes are usually faster since you’re not wasting time with complicated techniques or unnecessary steps.

And let’s be real—one-bowl desserts are perfect for spontaneous cravings. No elaborate mise en place required, no special equipment, just you, a bowl, and whatever sweet treat you’re about to demolish. If you’re into quick wins, you’ll probably also dig these 25 easy desserts you can make in under 30 minutes.

1. Classic Chocolate Brownies

Starting strong with the MVP of one-bowl desserts. You melt your butter and chocolate together, let it cool slightly, then whisk in eggs, sugar, and flour. That’s it. The result? Fudgy, rich brownies with those gorgeous crackly tops that make you look like you actually know what you’re doing.

I use a large ceramic mixing bowl for this because it retains heat well and helps the chocolate melt evenly. Pro tip: don’t overbake these. Pull them out when they’re still slightly jiggly in the center—they’ll firm up as they cool, and you’ll get that perfect gooey texture.

According to research on chocolate chemistry, the fat content in cocoa butter contributes to that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love. That’s why using good-quality chocolate actually makes a difference here. Get Full Recipe.

2. One-Bowl Banana Bread

Overripe bananas on your counter? Don’t even think about tossing them. Mash those bad boys in a bowl, add melted butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, and you’ve got banana bread that smells like heaven and tastes even better.

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Want to add chocolate chips? Go for it. Walnuts? Sure. A swirl of peanut butter? Why not. I personally like using a sturdy glass mixing bowl because you can really mash those bananas without worrying about scratching anything.

The Science Behind Banana Bread Moisture

Here’s something cool: those brown spots on overripe bananas aren’t just aesthetically questionable—they’re actually converting starches into sugar, which means sweeter, more flavorful bread. The natural sugars in bananas also help with moisture retention, giving you that tender crumb everyone loves.

Speaking of breakfast treats that use simple ingredients, you might want to check out some of these 12 desserts you can make with pantry staples or these 15 3-ingredient desserts you have to try for more minimalist baking inspiration.

3. Peanut Butter Cookies

Three ingredients. One bowl. No flour. Yeah, you read that right. Mix peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, roll the dough into balls, and press them down with a fork. Fifteen minutes in the oven, and you’ve got cookies that are chewy, nutty, and ridiculously addictive.

I use a wooden spoon for mixing these because the dough gets pretty thick, and you need something sturdy. Also, don’t skip the fork-press step—it’s not just decorative, it helps them bake evenly.

4. Lemon Bars (With a Twist)

Okay, technically the crust and filling are separate, but hear me out—you can make the crust in your bowl, press it into the pan, then use the same (barely rinsed) bowl for the filling. It’s close enough to one-bowl territory for me, and these lemon bars are worth the minimal extra effort.

The filling is just eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and a little flour whisked together until smooth. Pour it over the baked crust, and you get that perfect balance of tart lemon and sweet, buttery base. The citric acid in lemons provides that bright, tangy flavor that makes these bars so refreshing.

5. No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies

For those days when turning on the oven feels like too much work. You heat butter, cocoa, sugar, and milk in a small saucepan, bring it to a boil, then pour it over oats and peanut butter in your bowl. Stir, scoop onto parchment paper, and let them cool.

These are perfect for summer or anytime you want something sweet without heating up the kitchen. They’ve got a chewy, fudgy texture that’s halfway between a cookie and candy. If you’re into no-bake desserts, definitely check out these 15 simple desserts that require no oven.

6. Simple Vanilla Mug Cake

Technically a mug, not a bowl, but the principle is the same—one container, one dessert. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, oil, and vanilla in a microwave-safe mug, then nuke it for 90 seconds. You’ve got a personal-sized cake that’s fluffy, moist, and ready to eat immediately.

The microwave method works because rapid heating causes the baking powder to react quickly, creating steam and lift in a matter of seconds. For more individual treat ideas, these 30 quick mug cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth are pretty much unbeatable.

7. One-Bowl Blondies

Think of these as brownies’ cooler, butterscotch-loving cousin. You melt butter, mix in brown sugar, add an egg and vanilla, then fold in flour and white chocolate chips. They bake up into dense, chewy bars with crispy edges and a gooey center.

Brown sugar is key here—it’s got molasses, which adds moisture and that deep, caramel-like flavor you don’t get from regular white sugar. I like to use a flexible silicone spatula for folding in the chips without overmixing.

8. Classic Rice Krispie Treats

You probably made these as a kid, but let’s revisit them because they’re stupid easy and endlessly customizable. Melt butter and marshmallows in a large pot, stir in Rice Krispies, press into a pan, and you’re done in like 10 minutes.

Want to level them up? Add a handful of chocolate chips, a drizzle of peanut butter, or some crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty combo. The gelatin in marshmallows is what gives these treats their signature sticky-chewy texture.

Making Rice Krispie Treats Instagram-Worthy

If you want to make these look fancy, press them into a square baking pan lined with parchment paper, then drizzle melted chocolate on top and add sprinkles before cutting. Suddenly, they look like you bought them from a boutique bakery instead of whipping them up in your kitchen wearing pajamas.

9. One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookies

The classic. Melt your butter, mix in sugars, add an egg and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking soda, and chocolate chips. These come out with crispy edges and soft, gooey centers—exactly what a chocolate chip cookie should be.

I always use a sturdy metal spoon for mixing because the dough gets thick toward the end, and you need leverage. Also, chilling the dough for even 15 minutes makes a huge difference in texture. For more easy cookie inspiration, these 15 5-ingredient desserts you can whip up right now are pretty clutch.

10. No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

Cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped cream get mixed together until smooth and fluffy, then you spoon it over a graham cracker crust in individual cups. Chill for a couple hours, and you’ve got personal-sized cheesecakes that look fancy but took minimal effort.

The fat content in cream cheese provides that rich, tangy flavor and creamy texture without needing to bake anything. Top these with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, or caramel for an extra touch.

11. One-Bowl Carrot Cake

Grate your carrots, toss them in a bowl with oil, sugar, eggs, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix until just combined, bake, and you’ve got a moist, spiced cake that’s perfect with or without cream cheese frosting.

Carrots add natural sweetness and moisture, which means you can actually use less sugar and still get a delicious cake. I like using a box grater for the carrots—food processors can make them too fine, and you lose some of that texture.

According to nutritional research on carrots, they’re packed with beta-carotene and fiber, which doesn’t hurt when you’re justifying dessert for breakfast.

12. Simple Bread Pudding

Got stale bread? Tear it into chunks, toss it in a bowl with eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Let it soak for a few minutes, then bake. The result is custardy on the inside, slightly crispy on top, and absolutely comforting.

Bread pudding is one of those desserts that’s incredibly forgiving—use whatever bread you have, adjust the sugar to your taste, throw in some raisins or chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous. I bake mine in a deep ceramic baking dish to get that perfect ratio of soft center to crunchy edges.

For more desserts that transform everyday ingredients into something special, you’ll want to explore these 12 desserts you can make with pantry staples.

13. One-Bowl Apple Crisp

Toss sliced apples with a bit of sugar and cinnamon, then mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter in the same bowl for the topping. Spread the apples in a baking dish, sprinkle the crisp mixture on top, and bake until bubbly and golden.

The beauty of crisps is they’re way more forgiving than pie—no fussy crusts, no rolling dough, just dump and bake. Plus, the oat topping gets this amazing crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with soft, cinnamon-spiced apples.

14. Chocolate Mug Brownie

Another mug situation, but this time it’s a brownie. Mix flour, cocoa, sugar, an egg, oil, and a splash of vanilla in a large microwave-safe mug, microwave for about a minute, and you’ve got a personal brownie that’s molten in the middle.

I always add a few chocolate chips on top before microwaving for extra melty goodness. These are perfect for late-night cravings when you don’t want to commit to a whole batch of anything. Check out more individual-sized treats in these 30 quick mug cakes to satisfy your sweet tooth.

15. One-Bowl Coconut Macaroons

Shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, egg whites, and vanilla—that’s it. Mix, scoop, bake, and you’ve got chewy, sweet coconut cookies with crispy golden edges. Dip the bottoms in melted chocolate if you want to get fancy.

I use a cookie scoop to portion these because it keeps them uniform, which means they all bake at the same rate. The proteins in egg whites provide structure while keeping the interior tender.

16. Simple Tiramisu (Sort Of)

Okay, this is a loose interpretation, but stay with me. Whisk together mascarpone, sugar, and a little coffee, then layer it with coffee-soaked ladyfingers in a dish. It’s not traditional tiramisu, but it’s delicious, creamy, and requires minimal effort.

The coffee-soaking step is crucial—it adds moisture and that signature tiramisu flavor. I use a shallow glass dish for layering so you can see the pretty layers through the side.

17. One-Bowl Berry Cobbler

Fresh or frozen berries get tossed with a bit of sugar, then topped with a simple batter made from flour, sugar, milk, and melted butter all mixed in one bowl. Bake until the topping is golden and the berries are bubbling underneath.

Cobblers are genius because the batter kind of magically transforms into cake as it bakes, creating this fluffy, biscuit-like topping that soaks up all the berry juices. According to nutritional studies on berries, they’re loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, which makes this feel slightly virtuous.

For more fruity dessert ideas, these 20 easy desserts you can freeze for later include several berry-based options that hold up great in the freezer.

18. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs in a bowl, roll into balls, then dip in melted chocolate. They taste like homemade Reese’s cups and require zero baking skills.

I keep these in the fridge because they firm up nicely and the chocolate coating stays shiny. A small cookie scoop helps keep them uniform, and a chocolate melting pot makes dipping way easier than trying to balance over a double boiler.

19. One-Bowl Funfetti Cake

Who says birthday cake needs to be complicated? Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and sprinkles in one bowl, pour into a pan, and bake. You get a fluffy, colorful cake that’s perfect for celebrations or random Tuesday nights when you need something cheerful.

The oil keeps this cake incredibly moist, and the sprinkles add visual interest and a slight crunch. Top it with store-bought frosting if you want (no shame), or just dust with powdered sugar. If you’re planning a celebration, these 25 birthday cake ideas that are easy to make might give you some inspiration.

20. Classic Chocolate Pudding

Sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, milk, and butter get whisked together in a bowl, then cooked on the stove until thick. Pour it back into your bowl, let it cool, and you’ve got rich, creamy chocolate pudding that’s infinitely better than the boxed stuff.

The cornstarch is what thickens everything up, creating that smooth, spoonable texture. I like serving this in individual glass dessert cups with whipped cream on top—instant elegance with minimal work.

Why Homemade Pudding Beats the Box

Making pudding from scratch gives you control over sweetness and chocolate intensity, plus you avoid all those weird stabilizers and artificial flavors. It takes maybe 15 minutes total, and the difference in taste is honestly wild. You can also customize it with different extracts, add espresso powder for a mocha version, or swirl in peanut butter while it’s still warm.

Final Thoughts on One-Bowl Baking

Here’s the thing about one-bowl desserts: they’re not just about convenience (though that’s obviously a huge bonus). They’re about removing barriers between you and something delicious. No complicated techniques to master, no intimidating equipment lists, just straightforward recipes that work.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who bakes regularly but appreciates efficiency, these recipes prove you don’t need a culinary degree or a pristine kitchen to make desserts worth sharing. Some of my favorite baking memories involve standing at the counter with one bowl, a wooden spoon, and whatever ingredients I could scrounge up.

So next time you’re craving something sweet, skip the takeout menu and reach for that mixing bowl instead. You might surprise yourself with how easy—and satisfying—homemade desserts can be when you strip away all the unnecessary complications. And hey, if your first attempt doesn’t turn out perfect? That’s what ice cream is for.

Happy baking, minimal dishwashing, and may your sweet tooth always find satisfaction without destroying your kitchen.