Hi Bold Bakers! WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake is your go-to indulgence when you’re craving something sweet but short on time or ingredients. It’s quick, easy, and delivers a rich, chocolatey treat that’s ready in no time—perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without any fuss. Already have an account?
Ready in Minutes: Enjoy a delicious dessert in under 5 minutes. Minimal Ingredients: Uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. Effortless Preparation: Mix, microwave, and indulge—all in one mug. No need to heat up the kitchen with an oven! Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth: A rich and moist chocolate cake that hits the spot every time.
When it comes to mug recipes, we pride ourselves on knowing a thing or two, having over 100 Mug Cakes & Meals — so you know this Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake truly lives up to its name. It’s inspired by our famous Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe, which we’ve scaled down into a perfect, cupcake-sized mug cake. If you’re a fan of our other mug cake recipes, you’ll appreciate how we’ve taken the same winning formula and adapted it for a quick and satisfying treat. IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/4/2024, to include explanations and healthy substitutes of key ingredients, the best mix-ins, falvor variations, answers to the most frequently asked questions and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Contents
What is Chocolate Mug Cake?
Chocolate Mug Cake is a quick and convenient single-serving dessert made by mixing a chocolate cake batter in a microwaveable mug and cooking it in the microwave.
Ready in Under 5 Minutes: A fast solution for a sweet craving. Moist and Rich: The microwave method keeps the cake deliciously moist. Minimal Ingredients: Uses basic ingredients, often ones you already have. Effortless Cleanup: Prepared and enjoyed all in one mug, making cleanup a breeze.
Tools You Need
12-14 oz microwave-safe mug Measuring spoons Fork Piping Bag with Nozzle (Optional)
Key Ingredients and Substitutes
All-purpose flour All-purpose flour provides structure to the cake by forming the base and giving it body. For a healthier version, you can substitute whole wheat flour for up to 50% all-purpose flour. To make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or our Easy Almond Flour Mix. Granulated sugar Sugar adds sweetness and helps to tenderize and moisten the cake. For a healthier version, you can also use natural sugars such as coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, allulose sugar, or other sugar-free sweeteners from our Sugar Substitute Chart that fit your needs. Unsweetened cocoa powder Gives the cake its rich chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, all-natural cocoa powder, or cacao powder will all work well. Baking powder Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise and become fluffy. Salt Salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness. Egg Egg binds the ingredients together, adds richness, and contributes to the cake’s structure. Egg substitutes from our Egg Substitute Chart will work well here. Milk Milk adds moisture, helps dissolve the dry ingredients, and creates a smoother batter. We use whole milk for its rich flavor and creamy texture. Alternatively, you can use skim milk or non-fat milk, or dairy-free milk such as coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. Vegetable oil Oil adds moisture and tenderness to the cake, keeping it soft. For a healthier version, you can replace vegetable oil with coconut oil, avocado oil, melted butter, ghee, or even olive oil which will pair surprisingly well with chocolate flavor: The Internet’s Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Chocolate chips Provide pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cake, adding texture and extra chocolatey goodness. You can also use toasted chopped nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, or white chocolate chips for a different twist.
How to Make Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake
Make the batter
Cook the batter
Serve the chocolate mug cake
Gemma’s Pro Tips for Making the Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake
Take care not to over mix the mug cake as it can toughen the cake. Add a few drops of vanilla extract for a mild franrant flavor that enhances the chocolate. Don’t over-microwave! These only need about a minute to cook so check after 45 seconds and go from there. You can always keep going slowly, for 10 or 15 seconds at a time and keep checking. If you have a lower wattage microwave, it may take up to 2 minutes to cook, but go slow after the first 45 seconds until you get to know your microwave. Make sure your mug has no metal or metallic paint on it that will react in the microwave Want to make a cake for two? Try my Microwave Chocolate Lava Cake Bowl! Next time you frost a cake, freeze any small amounts of leftover of frosting in an ice cube tray, then transfer to an airtight container. This way, you always have a little something to top your mug cakes with. This method would work quite well with my Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting, Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting, Vanilla or Salted Caramel Buttercreams.
Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
Microwave mug cakes are best eaten once they have cooled from the microwave.
What are The Best Mix-ins for Chocolate Mug Cake?
Here are some fun mix-in ideas to elevate your Chocolate Mug Cake:
Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added crunch. Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried cherries for a fruity twist. Peanut Butter: Swirl in a spoonful of peanut butter or add peanut butter chips. Caramel: Add a few pieces of caramel candy or a swirl of caramel sauce. Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder for extra flavor. Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows for a gooey, s’mores-like effect. Toffee Bits: For a sweet, crunchy texture. Mint: Crushed peppermint candies or mint chocolate chips for a refreshing taste. Coconut: Shredded coconut for a tropical touch. Oreos: Crushed Oreo cookies for a cookies-and-cream flavor. Instant Coffee: A pinch of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor. Fruit: Fresh or frozen berries like raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries for a burst of freshness.
How can I make a vegan Chocolate Mug Cake?
Egg: Replace with 1 tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Milk: Replace with any plant-based milk like coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk. Chocolate Chips: Use vegan chocolate chips.
What are the most popular Chocolate Mug Cake flavor variations?
Here are Bold Bkers’ favorite Chocolate Mug Cake flavors:
Can I Make this in an oven?
If you don’t have or choose not to use a microwave, you can bake the mug cake at 350°F (180°C) for roughly 10 minutes.
More Mug Meals & Cakes Recipes
Gemma’s Best-Ever Vanilla Mug Cake 1 Minute Microwave Brownie In A Mug Microwave Mug Pizza The Fastest Way to Make Banana Bread Microwave Jelly Donut in a Mug: Mugnut
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/4/2024, to include explanations and healthy substitutes of key ingredients, the best mix-ins, falvor variations, answers to the most frequently asked questions and Pro Chef Tips. Don’t forget to buy a copy of Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook!
