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Chocolate Mug Cake is a really simple, really delicious recipe made in the microwave using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

Chocolate mug cake is easy to make in the microwave and a perfect size to share with your date (or not!). This microwave chocolate mug cake recipe will be ready in minutes! Want even more decadence? Top with some ganache and whipped cream. If you want some salty to go with the sweet, crush up some pretzels for the top or pair it with a bowl of microwave popcorn in a paper bag!

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Chocolate Mug Cake

Chocolate Mug Cake – Perfect for Two

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Chocolate Mug Cake Ingredients

Powdered Sugar – Did you know you could make powdered sugar from granulated sugar? Blend 1 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon corn starch until it’s at a powdered sugar consistency!
Dark Cocoa Powder – Yes, you could substitute a regular cocoa powder but you will lose some of the deep chocolate flavor.
Butter – Use unsalted butter in this recipe!
Heavy Cream – The cream gives this small recipe a great flavor and texture. You could use half and half or whole milk in a pinch, but you won’t get the same rich flavor.
Egg – Again, don’t leave this out for best texture.
Optional Toppings – Go crazy! Ganache, whipped cream, powdered sugar, fresh berries, jam, or whatever you like with chocolate.

How Do You Make Chocolate Mug Cake (Step-by-Step)

⭐ First, add all ingredients to a large mug and whisk with a fork until blended.

⭐ Next, microwave on high until toothpick comes out clean.

⭐ Finally, top with whatever suits your fancy (maybe some butterscotch ganache?) and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chocolate Mug Cake

Chocolate Mug Cake is a fast and simple recipe that is made in a mug in the microwave! It will serve 1-2 people and is ready in minutes. The recipe is designed for the microwave instead of the oven so uses a different ratio of wet to dry ingredients.

Can I Make A Mug Cake In A Bowl

Yes, you could make a mug cake in a bowl or a large mug, or really anything microwavable. This recipe especially will do well in a bowl because it makes two servings.

You could even use a paper cup if you can’t find anything else, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Can I Make A White Chocolate Mug Cake

Yes, you can make a white chocolate mug cake, but it is a very different recipe. White chocolate is not actually “chocolate” but cocoa butter.

Preparation

Can I Make A Chocolate Mug Cake Ahead of Time

You can make a mug cake a bit ahead of time, but they are so quick to make it probably isn’t worth it. However, you could premix the two dry ingredients in a jar and just add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to have a treat.

A nice homemade gift could be the bagged dry ingredients in a pretty mug with directions of how to add the remaining ingredients for a sweet treat.

Can I Use Egg White Instead of Whole Egg

You can use egg white instead of the whole egg. The recipe will not be quite as rich.

Can You Make a Chocolate Mug Cake Without Flour

You can make a chocolate mug cake without flour. This recipe does not call for any flour and is a gluten free chocolate mug cake.

What Type Of Chocolate Is Used in a Chocolate Mug Cake

The type of chocolate you use for your chocolate mug cake is up to you. I like the dark richness of the dark cocoa, but a milk chocolate cocoa would be fine.

This recipe uses a dry cocoa powder, but you could experiment with melted chocolate chips (melt in microwave with the butter). If you try an alternate version, let us know in the comments!

Leftovers and Storage

Can I Refrigerate Leftover Chocolate Mug Cake.

You can refrigerate the leftovers (if you have any!). Cover it so it doesn’t dry out. If you find that it has dried out, a splash of milk (or coffee!) might help bring it back to life.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Mug Cake

You can freeze a mug cake. Allow it to thaw in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. However, because these are so quick to make I would suggest just making as you want them for best taste and texture.

Can I Reheat Leftover Chocolate Mug Cake

You can reheat leftover mug cake in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm. Be careful not to overcook.

Variations

Can I Make A Red Velvet Mug Cake

A red velvet mug cake is (basically) a chocolate mug cake with a few drops of red food coloring. If you want to try this (say for Valentine’s day or an anniversary) try using the regular cocoa instead of the dark so the color shines through.

Can You Make Chocolate Mug Cake in the Oven

You cannot make this mug cake in the oven – it was specifically formulated and tested to be made in the microwave.

What Kind of Icing Goes on a Chocolate Mug Cake

You can use a variety of icings or toppings on a mug cake. A ganache is an elegant touch, or pipe on some whipped cream. For a contrast in flavors you could do a quick cream cheese icing.

A sprinkle of powdered sugar and some fresh berries are an easy and pretty touch. Even a raspberry jam would be a nice addition!

Chocolate Mug Cake Tips

🟢 Place a plate under your mug to prevent having to clean up a spill. No one wants their sweet treat ruined by having to clean the microwave.

🟢 Large eggs might make enough for 2 mug cakes. Do not use extra large eggs.

🟢 Fill your mug about halfway to avoid spillage.

🟢 Sinking in the middle is common and nothing to worry about. Whipped cream is a fabulous cover up.

🟢 Microwaved cakes don’t “brown” on the top. This won’t be noticeable on this dark chocolate cake but is good knowledge to have. Trust me, you’re going to want to try my other mug cake recipes!

Make it a complete meal

Suggested Tools

Oil mister – This is the perfect gift for folks who want to make sure they know exactly what they’re spraying on their pans. We like to put olive oil in ours, but you could use anything from vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or whatever you like! Just pump the top a few times and it sprays a fine mist of the oil you chose.
Stick blender – Possibly the most used gadget in my entire kitchen. The key to making a hand blender useful versus a giant pain in the butt is to rinse it immediately after using. That way you’re never trying to get crusty dried goop out from under the blades.

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How to make Chocolate Mug Cake

5 from 2 votes

Chocolate Mug Cake

Created by: April Woods

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 7

Chocolate Mug Cake is a really simple, really delicious recipe made in the microwave using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

Save this recipe! Enter your email below and we'll shoot it straight to ya!

By submitting your email you consent to receive email from this site.

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup powdered sugar
▢ 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
▢ 2 tablespoons butter room temperature
▢ 1 teaspoon heavy cream
▢ 1 large egg
▢ optional toppings: powdered sugar vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, strawberries