8 One-Bowl Dessert Recipes for Lazy Bakers
Sometimes the sweetest desserts come from the simplest moments. No fancy tools, no long list of steps just a single bowl, a wooden spoon, and that quiet urge to bake something soft and comforting. Baking, to me, should never feel like work; it’s more like a slow exhale at the end of the day, a small reward made with your own hands. Australian desserts have that easy charm, unhurried, sun-kissed, and full of heart. So here are eight one-bowl recipes that prove a little simplicity can taste like something truly special.
1. Lamington Mug Cake
The classic Australian lamington, reinvented for lazy afternoons. Instead of dipping sponge cubes in chocolate and coconut, this mug version brings those nostalgic flavors into one quick, fluffy bite.
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug until smooth. Microwave for 1 minute. Sprinkle more coconut on top. Simple, fast, and deeply satisfying.
2. One-Bowl Anzac Cookie Bars
Born from the humble ANZAC biscuit, these chewy, caramel-scented bars carry a taste of history and home. Perfect when you want something hearty without the hassle.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup coconut
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 2 tbsp golden syrup
- ½ tsp baking soda
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in one bowl. Press into a lined baking tin. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 20 minutes. Cool, slice, and enjoy the cozy chewiness.
3. Lemon Myrtle Loaf Cake
A fragrant twist on the classic lemon cake, this loaf brings out the fresh, floral essence of lemon myrtle. An iconic Australian native flavor that brightens your senses.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp baking powder
Directions:
Whisk everything together in a bowl. Pour into a loaf pan and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey.
4. Chocolate Tim Tam Brownies
A lazy baker’s dream, gooey brownies infused with crushed Tim Tams. You get the richness of chocolate and the comfort of Australia’s favorite biscuit in one irresistible treat.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup flour
- 1 pack Tim Tams, crushed
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in one bowl. Fold in Tim Tams. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting into fudgy squares.
5. Coconut Pavlova Nests
Crispy outside, marshmallowy inside, pavlova is Australia’s pride. This mini one-bowl version uses desiccated coconut for an easier, no-fuss twist.
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
Directions:
Beat everything in one bowl until glossy peaks form. Spoon onto parchment, bake at 120°C (250°F) for 1 hour. Top with whipped cream and fruit.
6. Easy Caramel Slice Cups
If caramel slice feels too formal, this version lets you enjoy the same layered sweetness. Biscuit, caramel, chocolate, but made casually, all in one bowl.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup crushed biscuits
- ½ cup condensed milk
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together, spoon into muffin cups, and refrigerate until firm. A cheat’s caramel slice that’s dangerously addictive.
7. One-Bowl Passionfruit Loaf
Sweet, tangy, and fragrant, passionfruit brings a tropical whisper to this easy loaf. It’s light enough for breakfast but comforting enough for dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 2 passionfruits (pulp)
- 1 tsp baking powder
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in one bowl, pour into a loaf pan, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes. Let it cool, drizzle with glaze, and serve.
8. Milo Fudge Bites
No oven, no stress, just a nostalgic mix of Milo and condensed milk. These little bites will remind you of childhood afternoons and simple joys.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Milo powder
- ½ cup crushed biscuits
- ½ cup condensed milk
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in one bowl until combined. Roll into balls, refrigerate for 1 hour, and enjoy your chocolatey energy boost.
When baking feels like a marathon, these one-bowl desserts prove that comfort doesn’t need to be complicated. Each recipe has a touch of Australian soul, unfussy, warm, and quietly indulgent. It’s the kind of baking that fits real life: simple ingredients, one bowl, and a little love stirred in. Sometimes, that’s exactly enough.
