One-Bowl Baking Wonders

By Victoria Spencer of Martha Stewart Living

Senior Digital Food Editor

Choose a slide

Maybe like us you love to bake, but cleanup isn't your favorite pastime? We've gathered some of our favorite recipes for cakes, brownies, bar cookies, and muffins that require only one bowl -- or sometimes just a mixer or food processor. All streamline the work and save on cleanup without scrimping on taste.

Photography: Charles Schiller

1 of 13

Less Cleanup Means More Time to Bake

Those French bakers know a thing or two; this supremely simple cake uses just one bowl but produces an irresistible cake with a crisp, dense, almost shortbready texture.

Get Recipe
Photography: Dana Gallagher

2 of 13

A Celebration Cake for When You're Pressed for Time

Birthday? Anniversary? Going-away party? This super-easy, one-bowl layer cake is the perfect dessert for any gathering of chocolate lovers. (Yes, you'll need another bowl for frosting, but that will mean another bowl to lick.)

Get Recipe
3 of 13

Fancy a Fruity Bar Cookie?

Using one batch of dough for both the crust and streusel topping in this fruit-packed favorite means fewer dirty dishes -- in fact all you need is the food processor.

Get Recipe
Photography: Bryan Gardner

4 of 13

Where Cookie Meets Brownie

Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor: this giant, fudgy chocolate cookie is made in one bowl, baked in a skillet (no special pans necessary, and cut into slices to serve.

Get Recipe
Photography: Jonathan Lovekin

5 of 13

Did You Really Say "Molten Chocolate" and "One-Bowl"?

Fancy enough for company, yet they require only one bowl and a hand mixer -- or a stand mixer if that's what you prefer!

Watch how to make these easy cupcakes.

Get Recipe
Swipe here for next slide
Photography: John Kernick

6 of 13

What's Not to Like?

This unbeatable blondie recipe combines the buttery flavor and chocolate chips from everyone's favorite cookies with the appealing texture of the best brownies. For the neatest pieces, cool the blondie cake completely before slicing. Then, using a serrated knife, cut with a sawing motion.

Get Recipe
7 of 13

Fast, Healthy, and Delicious

These muffins are so simple you could make them, then jump in the shower while they bake. And they're low in fat but surprisingly moist, thanks to the carrots, banana, and raisins.

Get Recipe
Photography: Johnny Miller

8 of 13

You Mix It Right in the Baking Pan

This moreish chocolate cake recipe from Lucinda Scala Quinn's "Mad Hungry" cookbook wins most minimal cleanup -- the ingredients are blended in the very pan that goes into the oven. And you don't even need an egg to make this delicious dessert.

(If you don't feel like making frosting, serve the cake with vanilla ice cream.)

Get Recipe
9 of 13

(Great) Grandma Knew Best

Generations of bakers have been baking with minimal prep and delicious results. These cookies are a tweaked version of Lucinda Scala Quinn's great-grandmother's recipe.

Get Recipe
Photography: Con Poulos

10 of 13

A Pound Cake with Allure

The ingredients for this nuanced treat are blended in the mixer bowl. While it's easy to make, it takes a while to bake but the rich mapley taste is well worth the wait.

Get Recipe
Swipe here for next slide
11 of 13

Secret Ingredient?

No one will ever guess there is zucchini in these moist little chocolate cupcakes -- nor will they guess they are so simple to make.

Get Recipe
12 of 13

Twice the Chocolate and Gluten-Free

Dark and decadent, these chewy cookies are gluten-free -- great for people with celiac disease or a wheat allergy -- and they're quick to make.

Get Recipe
13 of 13

No Flour, No Fuss, but Plenty of Flavor

Coconut lovers and other cooks can whip up a batch of these in no time. The longest -- and hardest -- part of the recipe is waiting while they bake.

Get Recipe