5-Minute Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake

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Indulge in a delectable chocolate mug cake in just 5 minutes! This quick and easy recipe lets you whip up a moist and indulgent cake using just a mug and your microwave. Satisfy your cake cravings instantly!

A white coffee mug with a chocolate mug cake inside topped with vanilla chocolate ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce with a fork sticking out of the mug.
Moist Chocolate Mug Cake

Do you ever get a deep craving for chocolate cake in the middle of the night? Here’s the thing about craving late-night desserts – it needs to be quick. The last thing anyone wants to do at the end of a long day is take out your mixer, gather all the ingredients, fire up the oven, and wait over an hour to indulge in some well deserved chocolate cake. This quick and easy chocolate mug cake recipe allows you to have your cake, and eat it too, in under 5 minutes.

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What is a mug cake?

As simple as the name implies, a mug cake is a cake made in a mug. These indulgent cakes quickly cook in the microwave to satisfy the deepest cake cravings. It is the answer to all your late-night sweet cravings. In just 5 short minutes you have a delicious chocolate cake. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat, which will feel like you are eating decadent brownies in a mug.

Why you’ll love it

As if you need additional reasons to love chocolate cake, this mug brownie recipe also has a few additional winning qualities. 

  • Eggless
  • Takes 5 minutes to put together
  • Perfect for late-night cravings
  • No leftovers – which makes it a perfect one-time indulgence. 
A white mug with chocolate mug cake from the top down. A fork sits to the right and a napkin sits under the mug.
Easy Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

How to make cake in a mug

Ingredients

Many of the ingredients in this microwave mug cake recipe are probably already in your pantry and resemble the ingredients needed for a regular cake.

  • Dry Ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt are used in small quantities to make a smaller cake. 
  • Baking powder acts as the egg substitute in this recipe.
  • Wet ingredients such as milk, oil, and vanilla turn this into a smooth cake batter.
  • Chocolate chips, ice cream, and sprinkles add a delightful finish to this chocolate mug cake recipe. 

Instructions

  1. In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until no lumps remain.
  2. Then, mix the milk, oil, and vanilla into the flour mixture until smooth. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips if you are using them.
  3. Microwave for about 70 seconds until the cake appears puffed in the mug.
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
A collage of images showing how to make mug cake
Chocolate Mug Cake – Step by Step

Notes

  • I use a 1200w microwave at full power to cook the mug cake. Depending upon your microwave, you may need to adjust the timings. 
  • I am using a 1200w microwave at full power. It takes about 70 seconds. You may have to adjust the timings based on your microwave. I would recommend you start with 60 seconds, and if it is not cooked, increase it to 70 seconds. 
  • The use of baking powder gives the cake a light and fluffy texture which is why it does not need egg.

Variations

  • Mix in walnuts or pecans for a crunch.
  • Add a tablespoon of peanut or hazelnut butter for a creamy twist. 
  • Spread a thick topping of chocolate frosting and sprinkles for a birthday treat!
  • Instead of chocolate chips, stuff a marshmallow along with a small chocolate bar (preferably Hershey’s) in the batter. Cook it and then sprinkle it with crushed graham crackers. 
A white mug with chocolate mug cake and melted vanilla and chocolate ice cream on top with a fork full taken out. A fork in front of the mug shows a bite of the chocolate mug cake.
Warm Chocolate Mug Cake

Can you make a mug cake without eggs?

Yes. In this recipe I use baking powder to give the cake that light fluffy texture perfect for a chocolate cake. A typical 9 inch cake contains at most 2 eggs, so including an egg in this single serving recipe is not proportional to the amount of cake. 

Why is my mug cake chewy?

There are two possible reasons for a chewy mug cake, too much oil or overcooking the cake. Two tablespoons of oil fit this recipe perfectly. As for overcooking, check the wattage on your microwave, and be sure to watch your mug cake as it cooks to prevent overcooking your late-night treat!

What do you make mug cakes in?

It’s important to check the mug you use for your gooey chocolate cake. Ensure you have a microwave-safe mug to cook your single-serving chocolate cake. I recommend sticking to a ceramic mug instead of glass mugs, as they are able to handle more heat. However, anything microwave-safe will work. 

Recommended reading: How to Make Mug Cake Even Better

Looking for additional desserts to quickly satisfy your sweet cravings? Here are a few additional desserts you can quickly make for any occasion!

  1. Instant Pot Brownie Cake– This decadent and unique brownie cake blends in a blender and cooks to perfection in your instant pot or pressure cooker.
  2. 15-Minute Tiramisu without Raw Eggs—This raw egg-free tiramisu recipe can be quickly whipped up and enjoyed in just 15 minutes. With no eggs or alcohol, this recipe can be enjoyed by everyone at any time of the year!
  3. Instant Chocolate Cake —This dense and chocolatey cake can be quickly made with your microwave, a whisk, and just a few ingredients.
  4. 15-Minute Coconut Barfi– Freshly grated coconut flavors this quick and rich soft barfi or fudge recipe!
  5. Indian Fruit Custard —This Indian fruit custard recipe combines seasonal fruits with sweet, creamy custard sauce to create a delectable dessert that is perfect for a crowd. 
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A white coffee mug with a chocolate mug cake inside topped with vanilla chocolate ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce with a fork sticking out of the mug.
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5 from 5 votes

Gooey Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

Satisfy your cake cravings with this quick and delicious chocolate mug cake recipe. Quickly cook a moist and indulgent cake in under 5 minutes with a mug and your microwave!
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Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all the dry ingredients(flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt) together in a microwaveable mug until no lumps remain.
  • Add the remaining ingredients – oil, milk, vanilla extract to the mug and mix well.
  • Microwave for about 70 seconds until the cake appears puffed.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. I am using a 1200w microwave at full power. It takes about 70 seconds. You may have to adjust the timings based on your microwave. I would recommend you start with 60 seconds and if it is not cooked, increase it to 70 seconds. 
  2. The recipe doesn’t need eggs – baking powder is enough to make this cake light and fluffy. 
  3. You can add frosting to this cake but I prefer to serve with vanilla ice-cream. 
Variations
  • Mix in walnuts or pecans for a crunch.
  • Add a tablespoon of peanut or hazelnut butter for a creamy twist. 
  • Spread a thick topping of chocolate frosting and sprinkles for a birthday treat!
  • Instead of chocolate chips stuff a marshmallow along with a small chocolate bar (preferably Hershey’s) in the batter. Cook it and then sprinkle it with crushed graham crackers. 
Read the post…For helpful information on ingredient swaps, storage tips, meal prep ideas, and variations!

Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.

Nutrition

Calories: 555kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 6gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 321mgPotassium: 343mgFiber: 3gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 99IUCalcium: 112mgIron: 3mg
Diet: Egg-Free
Course: Dessert
Method: microwave
Keywords: 5-minute, Chocolate, chocolate cake, mug brownie, mug cake
Cuisine: American
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2 Comments

  1. Made this a few times now. My quick go to recipe when I need a chocolate fix but don’t want to go overboard. Thanks for a delish recipe!😊