Delicious Chocolate Mug Cake: A Quick Indulgence
This delightful Chocolate Mug Cake is decadent, chocolatey, and can be ready in less than 5 minutes! Crafted from common pantry ingredients and without eggs, it’s the ideal single-serving indulgence for those late-night cravings or a quick after-school snack.
Why Make This Recipe
- Super easy: No mixer or oven required, just simple ingredients and minimal clean-up, which makes it a favorite among my teens.
- Perfect texture: Moist and fluffy, without that rubbery feel.
- A chocolate lover’s dream: The combination of chocolate cake and chocolate chips is simply irresistible, especially for those late-night chocolate cravings.
🥗 Ingredients for Chocolate Cake in a Mug
- Butter: Unsalted butter is my go-to, but salted works too! Alternatively, you can substitute with vegetable oil.
- Flour: All-purpose flour yields the best texture for the cake.
- Cocoa Powder: Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the richest flavor! I recommend Valrhona cocoa powder, but whatever you can find will work.
- Milk: 2% milk is preferred, but you can always use what you have available, including non-dairy options.
- Chocolate Chips: Adding these creates delightful pockets of melted chocolate in the cake. Feel free to skip if you don’t have them!
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave and then allow it to cool slightly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a microwave-safe mug, mix together 5 tablespoons of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 tablespoon of water, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the melted butter. Add in 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and mix until combined.
Step 4: Microwave It
Microwave on high for 80 seconds. Let it cool for a minute or two before enjoying your creation.
Step 5: Toppings Galore
Top your mug cake with whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips, if you’re feeling indulgent!
🧐 Recipe FAQs for Chocolate Mug Cake
Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
Absolutely! Just use a plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk and substitute the butter for vegetable oil or a vegan butter alternative.
Why is my mug cake rubbery?
If it turns out rubbery, it’s often due to overmixing or overcooking. Stir just until the flour is incorporated and keep an eye on cooking time. If your microwave is powerful, you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
Can I make this mug cake gluten-free?
You could replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour, but for a foolproof gluten-free option, check out my Chocolate Almond Flour Mug Cake recipe.
What if I don’t have chocolate chips?
No problem! You can simply omit them, and the cake will still be deliciously chocolatey!
Can I prepare this mug cake ahead of time?
While it’s best enjoyed immediately, you can prepare the dry ingredients in advance and just add the wet ingredients right before microwaving.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
If you’ve ever yearned for homemade chocolate cake without the mess, this simple mug cake recipe is your dream come true! Here are some handy tips to ensure it turns out perfectly:
- Choose a standard-size mug (around 10–12 oz) with straight sides; this helps the cake rise evenly.
- Avoid overmixing—just stir until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Microwave power can vary; if the top has tiny wet spots, it’s okay—it’ll cook a bit more as it rests. If the center is still wet, return to the microwave in 5-10 second intervals until done.
- Scrape any batter from the sides of the mug to prevent hard, overcooked edges.
- Wait a minute or two before diving in, as it will be very hot!
Tip for Simplifying: You can skip the step of melting the butter entirely and use 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil instead.
Looking to experiment? Consider swapping in peanut butter or white chocolate chips. You could also stir in some peanut butter and top it with crushed nuts. Almond or raspberry extract can add a lovely twist, and topping it with something fun like Strawberry Coulis adds a personal touch!
Other Mug Cake Recipes to Try
If this Chocolate Mug Cake has you craving more, here are a few other easy mug cake recipes to try:
📖 Recipe
Easy Chocolate Mug Cake
This easy Chocolate Mug Cake is rich, chocolatey, and ready in under 5 minutes!
Prep Time: 3 mins
Cook Time: 2 mins
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Instructions
- Melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave and let cool slightly.
- Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a microwave-safe mug.
- Stir in milk, water, vanilla extract, and the melted butter.
- Add in chocolate chips and fold gently into the batter.
- Microwave for 80 seconds on high.
- Let cool for a minute or two before indulging.
- Top with whipped cream and additional chocolate chips, if desired.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, consider swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or run with the Chocolate Almond Flour Mug Cake for a more assured result!
Nutrition
Calories: 655
Carbohydrates: 87g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 33g
More About Me
Creating healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I’ve poured my heart into crafting well-tested recipes that you and your family will adore!
