Chocolate Mug Cake
This Chocolate Mug Cake is incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and made right in the microwave. Perfect for an easy chocolate dessert!
One of the most common recipe requests I receive is for small batch desserts. Over the years, I’ve shared a few of my favorites like my small-batch chocolate chip cookies and small-batch peanut butter cookies. But today I wanted to share one that’s even easier — this simple chocolate mug cake recipe.
Unlike most of my other small-batch desserts, this microwave mug cake doesn’t require an oven. All you have to do is mix up the batter, pour it into a mug, and pop it into the microwave for a little over a minute. That’s it!
Another great thing about this recipe is that it doesn’t require any eggs and uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. This simple cake is perfect on its own, but I love to add a scoop of ice cream on top. I’ve included a few different topping options you can try with this cake too!
Recipe Ingredients
When I say this recipe is simple, I really mean it! Here’s what we’ll need to make this microwave cake in a cup:
- All-purpose flour: Be sure to spoon and level the flour when measuring it, otherwise you’ll wind up with a dense microwave mug cake.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: You can use either natural unsweetened cocoa powder or dutch-processed cocoa powder. I’ve tried it with both and they each work just fine!
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the microwave cake without making it too sweet.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise as it cooks.
- Salt: You only need a tiny pinch to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Milk: I always use whole milk because it’s what I keep on hand and gives baked goods a richer taste. That being said, 2%, 1%, skim, or even almond milk would work fine too.
- Oil: You can use canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract, if possible.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I love the extra chocolate flavor they add, so I highly recommend using some if you have them on hand.
How to Make a Mug Cake
To start, you’ll need at least a 12-ounce mug. I suggest spraying the mug with nonstick cooking spray or greasing it with some butter so the cake doesn’t stick.
Then, you’ll whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a tiny pinch of salt. Next, add the milk, oil, and vanilla extract and stir until just combined.
Once you’ve mixed up the cake batter, you’ll pour it into your greased mug. At this point, you can add some chocolate chips for a chocolate chip mug cake. This step is optional, but I love them!
Lastly, you’ll want to microwave the cake until the center is just set. Mine is usually perfect right at 1 minute and 15 seconds, but the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the mug you use and your microwave.
I also suggest keeping an eye on the mug cake as it’s cooking and stopping the microwave as soon as the center looks done. I’ve found that even an extra 15 seconds in the microwave can lead to a cake that’s really dry.
FAQ’s
How Long Do You Need To Cook It?
The cook time will vary slightly based on the mug that you use and your microwave. I use a 12-ounce mug and a 1200-watt microwave and find that 1 minute and 15 seconds is the perfect amount of time.
What Are Some Different Topping Options?
If you really want to take this recipe to the next level, here are some different topping options that would pair great with this cake!
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Homemade Whipped Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Dulce de Leche
- Nutella
Baking Tips
- Make sure to use a mug that is big enough as the batter will rise quite a bit in the microwave. I suggest using at least a 12-ounce mug for this recipe.
- When measuring your flour, make sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife.
- Keep a close eye on the cake as it’s in the microwave and cook it until the center is just set. I find that 1 minute and 15 seconds is perfect, but the amount of time may vary slightly for you.
More Small Batch Desserts to Try!
- Small Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
- Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (31 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 tablespoons (10 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Tiny pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil (canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil)
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Grease a 12-ounce (or larger) mug with nonstick cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add the milk, oil, and pure vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared mug and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Transfer the mug with the batter to the microwave and microwave for 60-90 seconds or until the center of the cake is just set.
- Carefully remove from the microwave (the mug will be hot!) and allow to cool slightly, then top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Hi , can the all purpose flour be substituted with self raising flour?
I think that would be fine. I would omit the baking powder and salt, since self-rising flour already has it added to it. You may use a slightly larger mug just in case it rises a bit more in the microwave too.
Just like everyone else, my boyfriend and I were in awe over this recipe!! It was my first time making a mug cake, I was craving something sweet and doubled the recipe to split into two mugs for him and me. So. Freaking. Good. I joked that I’m a little upset that I found this recipe because it’s a perfect little secret treat we can have together that we don’t have to share with the kids ? and no leftovers!! Will be making again for sure!
I have your chocolate mug cake piping hot in my hands. It is sooooo good, I am obsessed. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
I don’t usually comment on recipes, but WOW!! Best mug cake I’ve ever tried. Thank you!!
Wow so delicious and easy to make ! Nice and chocolatey! The chips are a must! Or at least something like whipped cream or a drizzle of something. Definitely will be recommending and making again!
This mug cake is amazing! A couple months ago I was desperate for something chocolately and came across this recipe. I was a little doubtful because other mug cakes I’ve tried haven’t been great and I’m not much of a cake person to begin with, but I needed something that would be ready fast and would only use ingredients I already had. My husband and I were BLOWN AWAY by this recipe. It is amazing. So so delicious. And so easy. We have made it at least 10 times since finding it and have shared the recipe with our families. Thank you so much for sharing!
I have made many mug cakes and this one is the best! It’s light and fluffy and perfectly chocolatey!
how would you cook it in an oven?
You could bake it in an oven-safe ramekin or use a muffin pan. If you use a muffin pan, you may need to make two of them.
Wow. Wow. Wow. I’ve always been skeptical of mug cakes baked in the microwave, buuuuuuut this has made me a believer. So. Good. Thank you for this excellent recipe!
Easy and perfect
THIS IS DIVINITY IN A CUP ! AMAZING! THIS IS MY FIRST TRY FOR MUG CAKE AND YOUR RECIPE,”SIMPLE AND OUTSTANDING! ” MY KIDS ENJOYED AND LOVED EVERY BITE, LIFTED UP OUR SPIRITS DURING THE STAY HOME STAY SAFE PERIOD! THANKS A TON TO YOU !
Absolutely delicious Danielle! I baked mine for 60 seconds and added a spoonful of Nutella in the middle 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the mug cake, Heather!
So delicious and so simple’
very delicious, i was craving something sweet that wasn’t ice cream, since i’ve already had too much! it took me so long to find a good recipe, i will be saving this one for the future!
Love the cake! So delicious am i am totally satisfied ? Just reduced amount of sugar and it was just perfect!
Thank you..
My 3 girls and I just tried this recipe. This is the best one so far! I personally prefer slightly less cocoa powder. But it was fine as is. We used chocolate chips, kept to the 2T of sugar, and used 2 % milk. We microwaved each one at 1:20. Absolutely perfect, fluffy, and moist! No icing needed and my craving for sugar was met. No extra cake to keep dipping into either! Thank you!
Loved it! It’s the perfect size. It was delicious and oh so easy to do. With some vanilla ice cream on top, I was a happy camper. I did add a portion of an egg to the mix, about 1/2 of an egg. I prefer that a mix not be dense, and a bit of an egg seemed to do the trick. I will absolutely add this recipe to my files!
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I’m spending my birthday alone this year so this was a perfect little birthday cake for one! I had to replace the oil with butter and the milk with evaporated milk (mixed with water!) and it was still DELICIOUS!
So glad you enjoyed the mug cake, Brenda! Happy Birthday!
This recipe is a winner! I made a couple of small tweaks by adding a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper and subbing in EVOO, and can I just say—WOW!! Sooooo good and sooooo easy! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Cayenne pepper?
Best mug cake I’ve ever made!!!!! My stepson is home sick with an ear ache, & I thought this would cheer him up but not be to crazy for him. He loved it ❤
This was the BEST mug cake evverrr! I topped it with a shot of sugar free whipped cream and it was fabulous!
I was skeptical when I noticed there was no egg in it but it was delicious!
We were too, about the egg. Still this recipe was fluffy. Not too dense.
I had my doubts because other mug cakes I’ve had were okkk but this one is delicious! It has a brownie like consistency that I loved. The only thing I did differently was add buttermilk and that was because it’s all I had in the house.
I will definitely make this cake again and again.
What a delicious recipe! I have a very happy husband right now. 🙂 Thank you!
This recipe is so easy and the cake is perfect!! It not only cooked beautifully but tastes delicious!! My kiddos will be over. the. moon. with this recipe!! Thank you for making dessert easy, fun, delicious, and perfectly kid-cooking friendly!!! ?
So glad you enjoyed the mug cake, Cynthia!
So good! Much better than any other mug cake recipes I’ve tried. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed the mug cake, Natalie!
This looks really delicious i will try this sooner or later but im wondering if you can use a oven for this.
You could probably use an oven, but I would recommend baking it in a ramekin or something oven-safe if you do.
What is the oven temperature and how long is the baking time?
I’m not sure on the baking time, it will depend on the ramekin/pan that you use too. I would bake them at 350°F though.
Its amazing..you definately should try. I used skim milk, 3/4 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbs chocolate chips
Just made this and I’m eating it now! Easy recipe, simple ingredients, and great taste — that all adds up to a dessert I’ll be making often! I had a lot of peppermint bark left over from Christmas, so I chopped some up and added it, instead of chocolate chips. And, of course, I buried it in whipped cream! Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed the mug cake, Carol! The peppermint bark sounds like a wonderful addition too!
I write this in between spoonfuls, as I eat this AMAZING mug cake. Very first time trying this and my husband is so happy!! Our common joke after dinner is “So..where’s that chocolate cake you said you were making?” Here it is! About 5 minutes total-mixing and cooking. This is a real winner! Thank you! Love your recipes!!
So glad the mug cake turned out great for you!
Hey dear,
This recipe looks so easy and a must try , definitely will try it soon & will let you know the results.
Your blog is wonderful ?
God bless you & make ways for you in every step of life.
Hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try!
Best mug cake ever tasted!!