Chocolate Mug Cake
This single-serve chocolate mug cake is soft, warm, and ready in minutes. It is made with pantry staples and cooks right in the microwave.
Total
7 min
Servings
1 serving
Level
Easy
A mug cake is the kind of dessert you make when you want something sweet now, not in an hour. It mixes in one mug and cooks in the microwave, so there is very little cleanup.
This version is a simple chocolate mug cake with a tender, brownie-like crumb. A spoonful of chocolate chips makes it a little richer, but the cake still works without them.
Microwave cakes can overcook quickly, so the key is to stop when the top looks just set. Let it stand for a minute before eating, and it will finish gently from the heat inside the mug.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
10 items · 1 serving
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, plus more for the top if you like
- Optional: whipped cream, ice cream, powdered sugar, or berries, for serving
02How to make it
Step-by-step
Choose the mug
Use a microwave-safe mug that holds at least 12 ounces. The cake will rise as it cooks, so a larger mug helps prevent overflow.
Mix the dry ingredients
Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to the mug. Stir well with a fork until the cocoa and flour look evenly combined.
Add the wet ingredients
Pour in the milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until you have a smooth batter. Scrape along the bottom edge of the mug so there are no dry pockets of flour.
Fold in the chocolate
Stir in 1 tablespoon chocolate chips. If you like a more melted top, sprinkle a few extra chips over the batter.
Microwave the cake
Microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds. Start checking at 60 seconds. The cake is done when the top looks set but still slightly shiny in the center.
Let it rest
Let the mug cake stand for 1 minute. This short rest lets the heat finish cooking the center and makes the texture softer.
Serve warm
Eat the mug cake straight from the mug while warm. Add whipped cream, ice cream, berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar if you like.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Do not overcook it. A mug cake keeps cooking for a short time after it leaves the microwave. If it looks dry on top, it may taste dry too.
- Microwave strength matters. A powerful microwave may cook the cake in 60 seconds, while a lower-power one may need closer to 90 seconds.
- For a dairy-free mug cake, use oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or another unsweetened non-dairy milk.
- For a richer flavor, replace 1 tablespoon of the milk with brewed coffee. The cake will not taste strongly of coffee, but the chocolate flavor will deepen.
- You can swap the chocolate chips for chopped chocolate, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or a spoonful of Nutella dropped into the center before cooking.
- This recipe is best eaten right after cooking. Mug cakes dry out as they cool and do not store as well as baked cakes.
Cook's note
This recipe was tested in a 1000-watt microwave using a 12-ounce ceramic mug. If your microwave is stronger or weaker, adjust the cooking time in 10-second bursts.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make a mug cake without eggs?
Yes. This recipe does not use eggs. In a small cake, a whole egg can make the texture rubbery, so milk, oil, and baking powder do the work instead.
Why did my mug cake turn out dry?
It was probably cooked too long. Microwave cakes can go from soft to dry in just a few seconds. Next time, check earlier and stop when the top is just set.
Can I make this mug cake ahead of time?
It is not a good make-ahead dessert. The texture is softest right after cooking. You can mix the dry ingredients in the mug ahead of time, then add the wet ingredients when you are ready to cook.
Can I bake this in the oven instead of the microwave?
This recipe is designed for the microwave. If you do not have a microwave, use an oven-safe ramekin and bake at 350°F for about 12 to 15 minutes, checking often. The texture will be a little different.
Why did my mug cake overflow?
The mug may have been too small, or the batter may have been overmixed. Use a mug that holds at least 12 ounces and stir only until the batter is smooth.
05Keep cooking
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