This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure.

This rich and decadent microwave chocolate mug cake recipe makes a moist, flavorful mug of cake in just 5 minutes to satisfy any sweet tooth!

fluffy chocolate mug cake

I’m not much of a snacker (although I’m usually happy to make a snack – like a cheese plate – into a full meal), or a baked goods girl (except if I’m in Paris and pastries are involved).

But I am a chocolate girl through and through. And sometimes this chocolate girl is in the mood for a piece of cake!

However, just like you, on any given weeknight I don’t have time to bake a cake. And also, I don’t need a whole cake in the house to eat my way through.

What’s a girl to do?!

Based on the title of this blog post, I’m sure you can guess, lol.

decadent chocolate mug cake topped with vanilla ice cream

That’s the beauty of mug cakes! There was a time when I thought mug cakes just weren’t worth the effort or the calories. I had tried a few and they were bland or rubbery or dense…or all of the above.

Enter this chocolate mug cake, which is rich and moist with deep chocolate flavor and the perfect level of sweetness. Cocoa powder is the trick to rich, complex chocolate flavor. Brown sugar not only adds sweetness, but also helps keep this mug cake moist. Vanilla adds depth and helps pull out the flavors in the chocolate. And I like to use oil (instead of butter) for fluffy texture.

The fact that this sweet treat whips up in 5 minutes flat is just icing on the cake.

spoonful of chocolate mug cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Lightening Fast: It literally takes 5 minutes to make from start-to-finish, including microwave time!
  • Minimal Dishes: There isn’t even a bowl to wash – just the mug and fork!
  • Absolutely Delicious: Surprisingly (because it’s made the microwave), this cake is moist, flavorful, and incredibly decadent.

The Best Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

This chocolate mug cake recipe is easy to make entirely from scratch. I wanted to keep the ingredient list as short and sweet as possible!

Ingredients for a Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

chocolate mug cake ingredients
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Granulated white sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Milk
  • Avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips, ice cream, or whipped cream for topping (optional)
mixing chocolate microwave mug cake dry ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Add the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt) to a 10 to 12-ounce microwave-safe mug, and mix them up.

And then stir in the white sugar and brown sugar.

Finally, mix in the liquid ingredients (milk, oil, and vanilla) to make the batter.

Microwave it, and enjoy!

chocolate microwave mug cake

Tips

  • Don’t over-mix the batter! Like any cake, over-mixing will make it tough and rubbery instead of moist and fluffy.
  • Amp up the flavor. If you have instant espresso powder on hand, add 1/4 teaspoon of it to this recipe. It will help pull out the flavor notes in the chocolate.
  • Serve it how you like it. This cake is moist and delicious on its own, but you can serve it any way you like your chocolate cake! A few topping ideas are: chocolate chips, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh sliced strawberries.
microwave chocolate mug cake graphic

Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake FAQs

What Makes a Cake Moist?

Three things help ensure a moist, tender cake:

  • Using oil as the fat
  • Adding enough sugar
  • Being careful not to over-mix

Is Butter or Oil Better for Cakes?

Unless you’re making a sponge cake, most cake recipes call for some type of fat, such as butter or oil. But which fat source is better for yielding a moist cake with a tender crumb?

Oil is usually thought of as the better choice when you want a tender and moist cake. However, butter adds great flavor and richness.

Depending on what’s more important to you in the final result (texture or flavor), you can use oil or butter. Or if keeping the recipe simple isn’t a concern, you can have the best of both worlds and use half oil and half butter.

easy chocolate mug cake

What Happens When You Over-Mix Cake Batter?

If you over-mix cake batter you can over-work the gluten in the flour. This can result in cakes that are rubbery, gummy, or overly chewy.

Pro Tip: When making cake batter, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just enough to combine.

Is it Possible to Over-Cook a Microwave Mug Cake?

Yes! Just like other cooking methods, it is possible to over-cook a cake that’s made in the microwave.

An overcooked mug cake can be rubbery and dense, losing the moist, tender, fluffy texture that this Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe should have.

Pro Tip: To help prevent overcooking your mug cake, microwave it in short bursts after it finishes the recommended microwave cook time if it still isn’t fully cooked.

gooey chocolate mug cake with vanilla ice cream

More Mug Cake Recipes to Try

microwave mug cake recipe

Let’s Connect

an edible mosaic submark initials

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

Chocolate Mug Cake

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Yields: 2 servings
This rich and decadent microwave chocolate mug cake recipe makes a moist, flavorful mug of cake in just 5 minutes to satisfy any sweet tooth!

Email This Recipe

Get this recipe link emailed straight to your inbox!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Plus you’ll be the first to get new recipes and tips.

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Use a fork to stir together all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a 10 to 12 ounce microwave-safe mug.
  • Microwave on high until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 minute 45 seconds. Pause cooking once halfway through and open the microwave door to prevent the cake from overflowing.
  • If desired, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Serve the mug cake while it's still warm.

Notes

  • Don’t over-mix the batter! Like any cake, over-mixing will make it tough and rubbery instead of moist and fluffy.
  • Amp up the flavor. If you have instant espresso powder on hand, add 1/4 teaspoon of it to this recipe. It will help pull out the flavor notes in the chocolate.
  • Serve it how you like it. This cake is moist and delicious on its own, but you can serve it any way you like your chocolate cake! A few topping ideas are: chocolate chips, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh sliced strawberries.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5of mug cake | Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake, Chocolate Mug Cake, Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe, Microwave Mug Cake, Microwave Mug Cake Recipe, Mug Cake

Share it with me on Instagram and leave a comment to let me know your thoughts!

chocolate mug cake recipe pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on February 8, 2021. I updated it with more information on May 5, 2022.

Faith, author of An Edible Mosaic.
About Faith

I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have found my new chocolate craving go to!

  2. 5 stars
    Quick, easy and delicious.

  3. Shelley Roberson says:

    5 stars
    I just want to first say thank you… I have finally found a recipe for mug cake that actually came out perfect. Ive tried and tried to make a chocolate mug cake and they all came out gumny or not done and I followed the recipes perfectly. I could go on and on but i wont cause im busy eating my AWESOME chocolate mug cake. Your someone to follow for recipes. I normally just hit jump to recipe but not yours. Its very inviting and I read the whole article. I will share your recipes for sure. Now back to my mug cake.
    Happy Holidays!!

Similar Posts