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.
Chocolate Cake in a Mug Recipe 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
Danae @ recipe runner says
My hips and butt thank you for this way to easy to make chocolate cake!
Tanya Schroeder says
Well you aren’t doing my own hips any favors here Christina!! I wil be making mugs cakes all the time now! I should probably invest in more mugs.
Joanne says
First of all, those little cups are the best things I've ever seen. They put my starbucks mug(/the only mug I own) TO SHAME.
Totally checking out that etsy shop. Might be all kinds of perfect for a present for my sister for her graduation.
My hips are begging for these mug cakes. Just saying.
Callie // Flour and Fancy says
I'm absolutely in love with this recipe, Christina! Quick yet sophisticated. Perfection. This is hitting my to-nuke list! :)
shelly (cookies and cups) says
I have never made a mug cake.. is that bad? However when my kids get home from school we are going to rectify that little situation.
Megan says
Hi Christina!
First of all, I just want to say that I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon your blog. I love to make sweets, but my husband and I hate all the leftover temptation!
I made this recipe last night with one substitution--unsweetened vanilla almond milk. And that's only because I didn't have dairy milk in my fridge. It was SO DELICIOUS. My husband is currently out of town and I should have made half the recipe (or only eaten half of it), but let's be honest...I ate the whole dang thing because it was just that good! I have made other mug cakes and they're good unless you've made this one. In fact, I couldn't stop thinking about how awesome this cake was when my sweet tooth came calling tonight. So in an effort to feel less guilty about eating chocolate cake two nights in a row, I only made half the recipe, used the almond milk again and replaced the oil with unsweetened apple sauce. The texture and taste were almost identical to your original recipe. Love that I can make those substitutions when I feel like cutting out some calories.
Thanks so much for sharing your talents and I'll definitely make more of your recipes in the future! Can't wait to share this one with my hubby!
Jenny @ BAKE says
This dessert looks so good it makes me think I should go out and buy a microwave!
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
Made these tonight and they were deeelicious! Definitely the best chocolate mug cake I've had. We didn't have any chocolate chips, so I topped them off with a sprinkling of sea salt. Dangerously good!
Emilie says
This was delicious! Super rich, but definitely delicious!!
Valarie says
I have a dumb ?, I only ever have skim milk. What's the reason for no skim...I was dying to try this today...yucky and rainy out didn't want to go out for whole milk? Ty
Christina Lane says
Hey Valarie, I just prefer whole milk because the fat in the milk makes the cake richer. Skim milk is too watery in the cake. You can definitely use it, but the cake might be a little light tasting, if that's okay with you. Best of luck! :)