🕒 Ready in 40 minutes (15 minutes prep · 25 minutes bake)
Hello bakers! If there is one thing we know for sure at Craft & Crumb, it’s that baking with your little ones should be all about making wonderful memories, not mountains of washing up.
That’s why we are absolutely thrilled to share this magic One-Bowl Chocolate Traybake with you. It’s wonderfully quick to whip up, perfectly moist, and beautifully chocolatey. Because you only need a single mixing bowl, it’s the ideal recipe for getting toddlers and older kids alike involved in measuring, pouring, and mixing without turning the kitchen upside down. Whether it’s for a weekend treat, a school bake sale, or just a rainy afternoon activity, this delightful little cake is guaranteed to bring smiles to the table!
Ingredients
For the cake:
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200g self-raising flour
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200g caster sugar
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40g cocoa powder
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1 tsp baking powder
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3 large eggs
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200ml milk
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100ml vegetable oil (or melted butter)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the icing:
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150g icing sugar
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2 tbsp cocoa powder
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2–3 tbsp milk
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Sprinkles or chocolate curls (optional but encouraged ✨)
Method
1. Preheat & prep First things first, let's get the oven ready! Preheat it to 180°C (160°C fan). Grab a square baking tin (approx. 20–23cm) and line it with some baking parchment so your cake doesn't stick.
2. One bowl magic Here comes the fun part for the kids! Add all of your cake ingredients into one large mixing bowl. Whisk it all together until the batter is lovely and smooth. There's no need to overthink this step or overmix, just make sure there are no sneaky dry pockets of flour hiding at the bottom.
3. Bake Pour your glossy chocolate batter into the lined tin and use a spoon or spatula to gently level it out. Pop it in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it has beautifully risen and feels slightly springy to the touch. Leave it to cool completely in the tin (patience is key here!).
4. Make the icing While the cake is cooling, let's make the topping. In a bowl, mix together the icing sugar, cocoa powder, and milk until you have a deliciously smooth, spreadable chocolate icing. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the icing all over the top.
5. Decorate The best part! Scatter over your favourite sprinkles, chocolate curls, or whatever decorations your little ones fancy while the icing is still soft so they stick nicely.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is an absolute dream served just as it is with a cold glass of milk or a cup of tea for the grown-ups. If you want to turn it into a comforting dessert, pop a slice in the microwave for 10 seconds and serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm custard.
Storage Tips
To keep your traybake tasting fresh and bouncy, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep beautifully for up to 3-4 days (if it lasts that long!). You can also freeze the un-iced sponge; simply wrap it well in cling film and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before adding your fresh icing.
Easy Variations
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Chocolate Orange: Add the zest of one large orange to the cake batter and a tiny splash of orange extract to the icing for a zesty twist!
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Double Choc Chip: Fold a handful of white or milk chocolate chips into the batter right before pouring it into the tin.
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Party Time: Swap the chocolate curls for vibrant rainbow hundreds-and-thousands, or top with colourful chocolate beans to make it the perfect centrepiece for a kid's party!
❓ FAQs
Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising? Yes, you can! Just add an extra 2 teaspoons of baking powder to your plain flour to help the cake rise beautifully.
Can I make this dairy-free? Absolutely. Simply swap the cow's milk for your favourite plant-based alternative (like oat or almond milk), and ensure you use vegetable oil rather than melted butter. Double-check your sprinkles and cocoa powder are dairy-free too!
💡 Top Tip
For the smoothest icing and an ultra-fluffy sponge, we always recommend passing your cocoa powder and icing sugar through a fine sieve before mixing. It stops those pesky little lumps from forming and makes mixing so much easier for little arms!
Share Your Bakes! Have you tried this recipe? We’d LOVE to see your creations! Tag us on Instagram @craft_crumb 🌟