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!
this is my favorite recipe but recommend ice cream o top!
It was so good! I didn’t think it was going to work but I followed the recipe exactly and loved it! Highly recommend it
Ok this was the best microwave cake I’ve ever tried! I made this today and topped it with marshmallow cream and it was sooooo good! I cut down on the sugar and used half and half instead of regular milk. Other then that I followed the recipe and it was amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will definitely save it for the future!
I used some heavy cream because my milk soured and I think it gives it more flavor
The best microwave chocolate mug cake I ever had !!! Thank you so much for the metric measurements and a wonderful recipe!!
I don’t usually leave reviews (often times because I forget), but this was too good to forget about. It’s so fluffy! And so easy to make! I’ve only made this once and I already know this is going to become a regular for me. Amazing. Thank you!
For some reason I always mess up mug cakes but this one I did perfectly on the first try. It was even better with some ice cream. I recommend sifting if your flour or cocoa powder is chunky. Overall it was good.
Hands down the best chocolate mug cake recipe – it came out wonderfully moist and decadent!
This is the best chocolate mug cake i ever had. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe it came out soo good . Its perfect for a midnight craving .
I’ve made loads of Mug cakes and thrown out all
Of them except this one! It was really good. I did replace oil with butter. One other thing I would say is..if
You aren’t adding sweet add-one I would do one more tablespoon or half a tablespoon. 1 min15 secs was
Perfect. Topped with powdered sugar. Delish
OMG! Was hankering some chocolate cake. This was so easy my husband made it. He cooked it right in the 2 cup measuring cup, after a minute, he cut in half and we shared. Just the perfect portion for a late night dessert. Thank you so much, you made my night, and you are now part of my “most favorite” recipe collection.
Thank you, Maria! So happy to hear that!
I made this the first time as directed and just KEEP making it and tweaking things and it always turns out. For lower fat version I use unsweetened applesauce instead of oil. I like reducing the sugar by a tablespoon too without too much impact on taste. I’ve even doubled the recipe and just eaten it for dinner. Changed the extracts up for different flavors. This recipe is pretty versatile.
This was better than the recipe on the NYTimes cooking website. I think the texture is perfect. I even cut back on the recipe, using 1 1/2 tbs butter (instead of 2) and 2 tbs sugar (instead of 3). I cooked for 1 minute and it turned out very cake-y, which is what I wanted (not molten).
So light and fluffy! Delicious!
I have tried several mug cakes, and this one is the best so far. I did add way more chocolate chips, and a small piece of chocolate inserted in the middle. Also caramel sauce before the microwave on top. It was cooked, and still nice and gooey with chocolate at 75 seconds (my microwave is 1100 wats). We ate it with ice cream on top (a must) ;). Made for three people, I did triple the ingredients and made in one bowl…then divided among the mugs. Worked fine.
Made this tonight and found it to be very light and fluffy. This will definitely be my go to desert for when I need something sweet and don’t want the headache of making a big cake. Thank you so much for the recipe.
I make mug cakes quite often, but usually find the recipe to be either too dry or too dense. This one is nice and fluffy, but still not too dry. I’ve saved this for the future, because its the best out of the dozens I’ve made.
Can we bake this in airfryer? then how?
I’m honestly not sure, I haven’t tried it.
So good!! I added Nutella on top and it was the best! Thanks for sharing <3
This was so yummy! My husband and I made this recipe tonight, I added a little peanut butter after – yummmmm Thanks for the quick and easy recipe for individual treats.
This recipes looks SUPER DELICIOUS except for the 2 TBSP. of oil per single serving! MIGHT I be able to substitute some applesauce for some of the oil? I have done this with previous baked recipes and it turned out moist, too. Thought I’d ask you first. Cheers and BE WELL!
I imagine that you could substitute some of the oil with applesauce. I would probably only substitute about half of it and just keep in mind that it will change the taste and texture some too.
So good!! My 3 year old had so much fun helping to make this recipe. We added a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and it was amazing! Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
best mug cake I’ve tried. Thanks!
Wow!! Perfect mug cake .Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love it.
Followed the recipe exactly. AND. IT. IS. PERFECT! After the 1min & 15sec I stopped and took a look at the cake. Not quite done, so popped it back in for 30sec and it was done! Tastes exactly like a normal cake. But now I don’t have to make a full sized cake when my small family of 3 is craving it. We can each have our own serving and no extra cake is hanging about to tempt us at midnight.
Quick, easy, moist and delicious! Tried this recipe with the kiddos and it came out PEEFECT on 90 seconds. Thank you!
It would be nice to have nutritional information for this recipe. It was very good and large enough to satisfy my chocolate craving. Thank you.
Yum! Being 8 months pregnant during the stay at home and having my husband not letting me go to the grocery store doesn’t mix well with cravings – LOL. I recently made some safe to eat cookie dough and had some left over toasted flour. I used that in this recipe and didn’t change anything else except only microwaved it for 30 seconds to keep it gooey. Holy cow, it’s really hitting the spot!! Thanks for the recipe!!!
thank you, it was delicious! I made it with coconut milk, 2T sugar and added a pinch of cinnamon pinned & saved to enjoy on another day =)
Thank you .