If you end each day with a warm treat from the microwave, I can promise you life will become sweeter! Make this chocolate mug cake in the microwave in just minutes, and you print the recipe and permanently affix to your fridge. The recipe makes 2 mug cakes, but you can cut it in half to make just one.
This Mug Cake Recipe is the perfect late night treat
I've been having late-night dates with chocolate lately. Just me, my microwave, and a mug of warm chocolate cake. When the microwave beeps, it's almost like the doorbell--my date is here to pick me up!
Judge me if you wish, but there's no one else I'd rather hang out with on a Friday night than a mug of warm chocolate cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a strawberry. If I have ice cream in the house, oh! you better believe it's going on top, too!
Here's the deal with mug cakes: most of the time they're eggy and spongey. No bueno. However, this mug cake is perfection. Should we make a vanilla version for two next?
It's a little scary to always be 70 seconds away from such an easy chocolate dessert, but I think this is what they're talking about when they say life is sweet. Correct me if I'm wrong.
The recipe makes 2 mug cakes, one for you and one for your date. I really wish microwave chocolate cakes would replace nightcaps after dates, don't you? If you like my mini chocolate cakes for two, you will like this even faster version.
Mug Cake Recipe ingredients
Yes, this ingredient list is correct! This chocolate mug cake is made without eggs! I personally think that's why most mug cakes have a weird flavor. This one is so delicious, soft and chocolatey, though!
- Flour. All-purpose flour, just ½ cup. I measure flour by fluffing the bowl, scooping gently and then using a knife to level off the surface. Never pack flour into a measuring cup.
- Cocoa Powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder is what we use here, not hot cocoa mix. I have seen recipes that turns a pack of hot cocoa into a mug cake, but that is not what we're doing today. It's hard to make a chocolate mug cake without cocoa powder, so do not skip, even if you're adding plenty of chocolate chips!
- Baking Powder. This is what will make the cakes rise in the mugs while baking! Do not skip, and do not use baking soda in its place.
- Granulated Sugar. We need ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons of white granulated sugar. I know that is a strange measurement, but this is a recipe for two mini cakes.
- Salt. Please, do not skip the salt here! It balances the sweetness so well, and heightens the chocolate flavor.
- Milk. You can use almost any milk here, as long as it has some protein and fat to it. I most commonly use whole milk or 2% milk. I wouldn't use skim milk, oat milk, or rice milk, because they lack fat and protein. Soy milk, coconut milk (not canned), and almond milk should be okay, but this chocolate mug cake recipe has been tested with only cow's milk.
- Oil. All great cakes have oil in them to keep them soft and moist, and this one is no exception. I use a neutral oil, like canola oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil. Do not use coconut oil.
- Mini Chocolate Chips. One tablespoon of mini chocolate chips is the perfect addition on top.
Mug Cake variations
- Vanilla Extract - I didn't call for vanilla extract in this recipe, because I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. If you have it, add ¼ teaspoon to the wet ingredients for a sweeter flavor!
- Milk - I have only tested this chocolate mug cake recipe with whole cow's milk and 2% cow's milk. If you want to use a dairy alternative, reach for something with protein and fat, like almond, soy or coconut. I don't recommend oat or rice milk, because they're essentially just water. Oat and rice milk lack protein that helps create the structure of a cake.
- Flour - Again, I have only made this recipe with all-purpose wheat flour. I'm not sure about gluten-free substitutions, but if you use one and it works, please, let us all know in the comments below.
How to make a Chocolate Mug Cake
- First, ensure that your mugs hold 1.5 cups of water each. If so, then you have enough room for making the cakes without worrying that they will overflow in the microwave! Then, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- In a separate bowl or small measuring cup, whisk together the milk and oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, and stir until no lumps of flour remain, but be careful not to over-mix and make a tough cake!
- Divide the batter between the two mugs, and use a spatula to scrape all of the batter into the two mugs.
- Top each chocolate mug cake with one tablespoon of mini chips. Cook in the microwave on HIGH for 70 seconds.
- At the end of 70 seconds, do not open the door! Let the cakes rest in the microwave for one minute!
- After the one minute rest, use a thin knife to poke in the cake to see if it's done. It will climb up the sides of the mug and then deflate a bit as it cools. It shouldn't be overly gooey, however.
Tips
Before beginning, please make sure your mug holds 1.5 cups of water. This is to ensure that the mug is big enough to make this chocolate mug cake recipe without overflowing in the microwave.
Chocolate Mug Cake without Eggs
Yes, this chocolate mug cake recipe does not require eggs, because I think they contribute to the weird flavor of some mug cakes. Plus, you would have to use half an egg or something strange here. You won't miss the egg!
You can check in the recipe card below for the full nutrition profile. However, I have to say that having a small portion of dessert is always going to be healthier than having a giant 3-layer chocolate cake on your counter. I'm a firm believer in having a little bit of the real thing instead of 24 cupcakes leftover from one craving.
If your mug cake is rock hard, it has been over-baked! Next time, lower the amount of time it cooks, because microwaves vary in wattage, causing some to cook faster than others. Also, be sure to use a standard-size regular coffee cup, not a deep mug.
Mug cakes become rubbery when they contain eggs, because eggs cooked in the microwave have a tendency to become over-cooked, and thus, rubbery. My recipe does not contain any egg, so this will not be a problem for you.
Yes, a microwave provides a moist heat, as opposed to the oven with dry heat, so your microwave chocolate mug cake will be rich and fudge-like, just like the best part of a brownie!
Microwave Chocolate Cake
A 1 minute chocolate mug cake recipe made without eggs so it isn't weird!
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons milk*
- ¼ cup neutral-flavored oil (I used canola)
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- optional: whipped cream, strawberries, ice cream
Instructions
- First, gather up two microwave safe mugs. Each mug should hold at least 1 ½ cups of water to prevent over-flows during cooking. Check your microwave, and ensure the power setting is on high.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and salt. Set aside.
- In a measuring cup, whisk together the milk and oil. Pour this over the dry ingredients, and whisk until the batter is lump-free.
- Divide the batter between the two mugs, and top each mug with 1 tablespoon of the mini chocolate chips.
- Microwave each mug cake separately for 70 seconds. After 70 seconds, let the cake rest in the microwave for about 1 minute before opening the door.
- Serve with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, ice cream, and cherries, if desired.
Notes
*Milk: You can use almost any milk here, as long as it has some protein and fat to it. I most commonly use whole milk or 2% milk. I wouldn't use skim milk, oat milk, or rice milk, because they lack fat and protein. Soy milk, coconut milk (not canned), and almond milk should be okay, but the recipe has been tested with only cow's milk.
As you know, microwave settings vary. Your microwave may cook the cakes faster or slower than mine. The one minute rest in the microwave after cooking should help some with varying cook times. I wish you lots of success! If you have a variation or want to share exactly how long your cake took to cook, please let me know in the comments section!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 606Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 449mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 3gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g
Hilari says
UNBELIEVEABLE!! Gooey, yummy...my daughter and I are now in a very happy chocolate stuper. Chocolate on our faces, crooked grins sliding off our faces...
Christina Lane says
Yay, Hilari! I'm so glad <3
Skye j says
Honestly the best microwave chocolate cake I've tried ever! I've tried quite a few. Not super cakey, too dense or extremely bitter. ????????
TiffanyK says
I halved the recipe and then split that among 2 4oz jelly jars! It turned out perfectly as a small snack! I’m considering mixing a big batch of the dry ingredients to have on the ready, then just add the wet ingredients once I’m ready to make it! Super easy recipe and very delicious!
Felicia says
Perfection! I followed to a tee and it’s exactly what I needed on a cold winter night.
doris says
going to try these and sound good
Rebecca Duckworth says
Can you use half&half for the milk? I have some that needs to be used.
ESLogan says
wow this was the best mug cake ive ever had! i was out of sugar so i had to substitute brown sugar, but the flavor and texture were really great!