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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Easy Lazy Cake Recipe (No Bake Chocolate Biscuit Cake)

    By Samara・Published: Apr 19, 2023・Updated: Apr 19, 2023・Post may have affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy lazy cake recipe is a no-bake chocolate biscuit cake that only needs three ingredients: tea biscuits, cocoa powder, and condensed milk.

    no bake chocolate biscuit cake

    This no bake chocolate biscuit cake is the best lazy cake recipe because it requires little effort and tastes so good! And it takes just 5 minutes to prepare.

    Why This Works

    Lazy cake has been my favorite since I was a kid, and I've changed my recipe so many times over the years to get the quickest and most delicious lazy, no-bake chocolate cake.

    We used to call it the "Marie cake" where I grew up in Kuwait because the tea biscuits we bought were called Marie.

    It always appeared on birthdays and special occasions, and EVERYONE loved it. And you'll keep returning for more because this recipe is perfectly chocolatey, sweet, and has the loveliest texture- you'll never be able to resist it.

    Ingredient Notes

    There are just three main ingredients for this delicious recipe.

    • Tea Biscuits: You don't specifically have to use Marie biscuits; any tea biscuits will do. If you can't find tea biscuits anywhere, you can also use digestive biscuits, resulting in a slightly denser but equally delicious lazy cake. Another substitution is vanilla wafers.
    • Natural Cocoa Powder: Use raw, unsweetened cocoa powder. Since you're already using sweetened condensed milk, the unsweetened cocoa powder adds chocolate richness. Don't worry; it won't taste like dark chocolate at all.
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk: As mentioned above, you can make your own sweetened condensed milk at home. Otherwise, you'll need one 14-ounce can (roughly 400 grams).
    biscuit crackers in a bowl

    See quantities on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    How To Make Lazy Cake

    biscuit crackers broken into pieces in a bowl

    Crush the tea biscuits into smaller pieces with your hands.

    cocoa powder and condensed milk blended together

    In a large bowl, empty the can of condensed milk and mix it with the cocoa powder until it makes a chocolate sauce.

    crushed biscuits added to the cocoa powder and condensed milk mixture

    Fold the biscuits into the chocolate mixture. Keep folding them until they're all evenly coated.

    no-bake biscuit cake ingredients on plastic wrap

    Spread the clingfilm or plastic wrap onto your table or work surface and transfer the mixture. You'll need a decently sized piece that you'll be able to wrap the lazy cake in.

    no-bake chocolate cake rolled into a log with plastic wrap

    Roll into a tight log and seal with plastic wrap.

    biscuit cake rolled into a foil.

    Then wrap again with aluminum foil.

    no-bake chocolate lazy cake on a plate with a top view

    Freeze overnight or a minimum of 3 hours. Slice with a sharp knife and enjoy.

    Tips And Tricks

    • Taste the cocoa and condensed milk mixture before adding the biscuits. If it's too sweet for you, add more cocoa powder. If it's not sweet enough, add more condensed milk.
    • Don't skip the cling film/plastic wrap. If you immediately wrap the cake with foil, it'll stick when you unwrap it. So make sure you use plastic wrap and then foil. You can also use parchment paper or baking paper.
    • Store in the freezer. This is a great make-ahead recipe because lazy cake can store in the freezer for up to six months. Pull it out anytime, cut a couple of slices, and place it back in the freezer whenever needed. Keep a couple of rolls in the freezer for an easy treat or when guests are over.
    • Crush some of the biscuits a little extra. What gives this cake its insanely delicious texture is the tea biscuits soaking up the chocolatey condensed milk. So along with the larger pieces of biscuits, make sure you throw in some of the crumbs and small pieces. This will make sure your no-bake lazy cake will hold its shape beautifully.
    • Be patient. Freeze this cake overnight, but if you're in a hurry, place it in the freezer for at least 3 hours. The cake needs enough time to set and keep its shape when sliced.
    chocolate lazy biscuit cake on a plate

    Substitutions and Variations

    • If you don't have access to or can't find sweetened condensed milk, make your own at home. Or use almond condensed milk (dairy-free).
    • Other lazy cake recipes may use butter, heavy cream, milk chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Those ingredients are not necessary for this simple cake recipe. However, feel free to mix things up.
    • Shape however you want. If you don't feel like rolling it into a log or it isn't working out for you, line a cake pan (or load pan) with baking paper and spread the mixture in there. You can serve it as bars, squares, or slices; it's up to you.

    Equipment

    • Cling film or plastic wrap
    • Foil
    • Mixing bowls
    • Whisk

    Storage

    Store this no-bake lazy cake in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, remove it from the freezer, slice it, and serve.

    FAQs

    What is the best cocoa powder for lazy cake?

    Unsweetened cocoa powder is the best for lazy cake. You can use unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder.

    Where did lazy cake originate?

    This easy cake recipe originated in the Middle East.

    Is lazy cake gluten-free?

    Use gluten-free tea biscuits to make a gluten-free version of this no-bake chocolate cake.

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    📋 Recipe

    chocolate lazy cake on a plate

    Lazy Cake (No-Bake Chocolate Biscuit Cake)

    Author: Samara
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: International
    Prep: 5 minutes mins
    Cook: 3 hours hrs
    Total: 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate Email
    Servings 15 slices
    This lazy cake is a no-bake chocolate biscuit cake with only 3-ingredients: condensed milk, cocoa powder, and tea biscuits. 

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric

    • 1 pack tea biscuits 10.5 ounces or around 300g
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk canned
    • 5 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

    Instructions

    • Crumble the biscuits into large pieces with your hands. Set aside.
    • In a bowl, combine the condensed milk with the cocoa powder. 
    • Fold in the crumbled tea biscuits until all of them are evenly coated. 
    • Spread a large piece of plastic wrap on your work station and spoon the mixture into a log in the middle of it.
    • Wrap the plastic wrap around the mixture and shape into a tight log. Then wrap with foil and place in the fridge overnight or the freezer for no less than 3 hours to set. 
    • Take it out right before serving to slice. 

    Notes

    1. You can also line a baking pan with parchment paper and let it set in there, then cut into bars or cake slices. 
    2. Make sure you give it enough time to set or you'll end up with a runny mess. You'll know it's ready when the plastic wrap peels off easily. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 199 kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.5 g | Protein: 4.6 g | Fat: 5.4 g | Saturated Fat: 3.1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.3 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 120 mg | Fiber: 1.2 g | Sugar: 23.6 g

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    About Samara

    Hi! My name is Samara Alkhammach. I’m half Syrian, half Palestinian, with a few other nationalities in the mix. I was born and raised in Kuwait, and currently live in Cairo, Egypt. I have a deep love for yoga, art, the kitchen, and bringing people together through them all.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 6 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Dareen :)

      October 09, 2024 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      Incredibly nostalgic and delicious! 😀

      Reply
      • Lily

        October 09, 2024 at 2:52 pm

        Thanks Dareen!

        Reply
    2. Maha

      July 09, 2024 at 9:09 pm

      This looks delicious!
      Can I use gluten free tea biscuits ? Do you think it will taste as good and which brand would you recommend?

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 09, 2024 at 10:34 pm

        Thanks for the question Maha! You can use gluten free tea biscuits. I’m not sure the best brand, but I would try the Marie brand gluten-free biscuits if available.

        Reply
    3. Rosemary

      July 06, 2021 at 8:40 am

      You really can't get simpler than this. How easy and delicious looking. Can't wait to make this "lazy" cake. Cheers.

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 06, 2021 at 10:54 am

        Oh yes, easy desserts are always a fave in my home!

        Reply
    4. Sharmila Kingsly

      July 06, 2021 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      Awsome... This is super quick and looks yummy!! i am going to try it out!!

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 06, 2021 at 10:55 am

        It's really easy and yummy!

        Reply
    5. Sarah

      July 05, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy and delicious! Loved it

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 05, 2021 at 3:13 pm

        Thank you for the comment and so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    6. Michelle

      July 03, 2021 at 9:28 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe! Can't wait to give it a try -- I've got all the ingredients on hand!

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 06, 2021 at 10:54 am

        It's so delicious!

        Reply
    7. Beth

      June 15, 2021 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow! This looks so delicious and very yummy to make! I can't wait to give this a try soon. My family and I are going to love this recipe especially my son! Can't wait to try this.

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 06, 2021 at 10:54 am

        Hope you like it... it's one of our favorites!

        Reply
    8. Dannii

      May 06, 2021 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      Anything with just 3 ingredients sounds good to me. This looks so easy, I am definitely oing to try it.

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 06, 2021 at 10:53 am

        Hope you like it!

        Reply

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    lily at the matbakh

    I'm Lily

    I'm an American Lebanese living in Texas. My kitchen, or matbakh, is a hodgepodge of recipes from the U.S. and Mediterranean region.

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