There is never a bad time for chocolate cake - especially since you can make it in a mug whenever you want with this chocolate mug cake recipe!
Why you'll love it
A mug cake is a single serving cake you mix up in a mug and cook in a microwave. It only uses one mug and is done in minutes, which means that not only is clean-up simple, but you can satisfy your chocolate cake craving in minutes.
This cake is moist and fudgy - almost like a brownie. It's so good, that you don't really need any frosting to go with it. Usually, I don't eat it with anything. Sometimes I'll go for a scoop of ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or some whipped cream if I am feeling indulgent.
Key ingredients
- Sugar - The recipe uses granulated sugar, but if you want to use brown sugar, it would work well here.
- Chocolate - You can use unsweetened natural cocoa powder, but i like the depth you get from Dutch-processed cocoa powder. There are no wrong choices here.
- Oil - Typically, I like to use oil in my chocolate cake recipes. This is so the flavors of the chocolate can truly shine and it ensures your cake will be irresistibly moist. I recommend a neutral flavored oil like vegetable oil. If you want something more rich, you can use melted unsalted butter.
How to make
- Mix together the ingredients in a10-ounce microwave-safe mug. Start with the liquid ingredients, then add in the dry.
- Add in most of your chocolate chips and then heat in the microwave until the sides look set.
- Top with the remaining chocolate chips and let the residual heat continue to cook the cake for an additional minute or two.
- Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Thankfully, this mug cake does not require any eggs. Since the chocolate cake recipe only makes a small portion, an egg is completely unnecessary in the recipe.
You can easily substitute the flour in the recipe with a gluten-free baking mix. You can also use almond flour with good results! It all depends on what your preference is.
It is entirely possible to change this recipe to make it without milk. If it is an issue with lactose intolerance or other dietary restrictions, you can use almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk. An almond cashew blend is my particular favorite.
If you'd prefer not to have any milk at all, you can use water instead.
Yes, it is possible to make this in the oven. It does take a lot longer, however. simply put your cake in your mug or a lined muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean in the middle. The exact amount of time it takes to bake this chocolate mug cake in the oven will depend on how deep or shallow your mug is.
Want More Mug Cake Recipes?
You must dig into this vanilla mug cake - it is buttery and fluffy and absolutely perfect. If you're into peanut butter you are going to fall in love with this peanut butter mug cake recipe. Need more chocolate in your life? You're going to want to make this black forest mug brownie on the daily. And if you want to be able to whip up as many mug cakes as you want, make this hot chocolate mug cake mix.
Recipe Card
Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a 10-ounce mug mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, oil, salt, and vanilla until well-combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, reserving a couple to top the cake.
- Microwave for about 45 - 90 seconds, or until the cake looks pretty much set. The middle may still look slightly moist, but that is okay
- Top with remaining chocolate chips if desired.
Rosalee Adams says
Can I use Navitas Cacao Powder in this recipe?
Amanda Powell says
I have not tried it using Navitas, so I am unsure! I expect it might work fine
Mendy says
Do you have any advise for making 4-6 cups at one time? Could you microwave all 6 at once?
Amanda Powell says
If you’re making multiple mugs, I recommend multiplying the recipe by however you want to make (4 or 6) and mixing it in a bowl, then evenly dividing the batter into the mugs. You can probably get away with microwave two at a time, but the microwave time will also need to be adjusted (probably by about 30 seconds longer, but I recommend testing it yourself as I’ve never done that before). Please let me know how it turns out!