When my kids wake me up in the middle of the night asking for a chocolate treat, I can barely open my eyes, let alone make arrangements for baking! For times like this, today’s chocolate mug cake recipe is a big lifesaver. Ready in just a few minutes, this microwave chocolate cake is perfect for late-night cravings and so easy that you can whip it up even while half-asleep.
Despite requiring so little in terms of preparation, don’t think this mug cake falls short of the full-sized ones you enjoy on birthdays!
The sugar and cocoa powder used in this recipe give the cake just the right amount of sweetness balanced by the bitterness. With a velvety smooth texture that melts as soon as you take a bite, this mug cake is pure bliss for chocolate lovers. You will get the same rich, delicious, chocolaty goodness of a classic chocolate cake– just served in a cup minus the hassle of whipping, folding, or preheating the oven!
This easy chocolate mug cake recipe is a single-serving dessert that fulfills your sudden chocolate cravings or dessert cravings anytime. For this, you need to mix the ingredients in the mug and put the mug in the microwave for 1-minute, and your cake is ready.
Mix-In and Topping Ideas For Best Chocolate Mug Cake
Don’t settle for the basic version- enhance your chocolate mug cake by experimenting with this fun and delicious min-in and toppings!
Chocolate Chips
The more chocolate, the better the taste!
Grab a handful of mini chocolate chips – dark, milk, or semi-sweet ones and mix them with the batter before microwaving. As the chips melt, they create gooey pockets of melted chocolate that double the flavor, making every bite more delicious than the cake alone!
To prevent the chips from sinking to the bottom while baking, lightly coat them in flour before mixing them with the batter.
Marshmallows
Want some contrasting texture to compliment your chocolate cake? Bring in the marshmallows!
Soft, chewy, and slightly sticky marshmallows add a subtle sweetness to the chocolate mug cake. For this recipe, I suggest using the mini ones as they melt pretty fast and blend in with the other ingredients. If you don’t want them to get completely melted, add them on top of your chocolate cake when it’s baked halfway and microwave it for an additional 15 seconds after that.
Peanut Butter
The creamy flavor of the peanut butter goes wonderfully well with chocolate! Depending on your preference, you can opt for either smooth or crunchy peanut butter variations.
To add this nutty goodness to your cake, take a spoonful of peanut butter and swirl it into the batter for a marbled effect. As for me, I love having that gooey and creamy deliciousness right in the center. So I add the peanut butter in the middle of the batter to create a nutty surprise when I get to that yummy part!
Crushed Cookies
Want to add some crunch to your cake as toppings?
Grab your favorite cookies, crush them into fine crumbs, and add them to your cake while it’s still hot! The warmth of the mug cake helps soften the cookies and makes it easier to stick. Don’t worry; the crunch will still be there once the crumbs settle.
Cookies work great as a mix-in option as well. You can mix the crushed cookies directly into the cake batter before microwaving and enjoy delicious cookie bits in every bite!
Tips For The Perfect Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe
For those moments when you are making the microwave chocolate cake with your eyes half-closed(on those late-night cravings!), here are some tips to help you nail it perfectly:
- Use a microwave-friendly mug to make this chocolate cake. This recipe works best if you use a mug that holds at least 12 oz. After pouring the batter into the mug, make sure to leave enough space on top to allow the cake to rise without overflowing as it bakes.
- Mix just enough to combine the ingredients. If you stir the batter too much, the cake will turn out denser and less fluffy than expected.
- If your microwave doesn’t have 1200 wattages of power like mine does, you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly. Keep a close eye on the cake and check its doneness by inserting a toothpick in the middle. If the toothpick comes out clean, then the cake is done baking.
- All done baking? Before you start digging in with your fork, wait a minute or two! Mug cakes can be super hot coming straight out of the oven. So, you need to let it cool before taking that first delicious bite to avoid getting burned badly.
Perfect chocolate cake in a mug
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp / 25 g All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp / 24 g Granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp / 14 g Cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp / 2 g Baking powder
- 1 pinch Salt
- 3 tbsp / 45 ml Milk
- ½ tsp / 2.5 ml Vanilla essence
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Vegetable oil
- 20 gram Milk chocolate chunks
Instructions
Add Dry Ingredients
- First, in a microwave-safe mug ( roughly 1 cup measurement), 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp of sugar, 2 tbsp of cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp of baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt.
- Then, give the dry ingredients a good mix. (here, you can also use brown sugar instead of white to give the cake a nice gooey texture).
Add Wet Ingredients
- Then add in 3 tbsp of milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence, and 2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
- Mix all the ingredients until well incorporated. Finally, mix in some milk chocolate chunks into the batter.
Microwave The Cake
- Now microwave for 1 minute. (here, I’ve used a 1200w microwave; if yours is different, then the timing may vary.
- If the microwave you have is less than 1200w, it may take you up to 1.5-2 minutes to make the cake).
Cool, Serve, And Enjoy!
- Take it out of the microwave oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
- Dust your cake with some icing sugar and drizzle it with some chocolate sauce,
- Or you can serve the cake with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Video
Do you know what I like the most about a mug cake in the microwave?
Once I am finished baking and digging into the delicious treat, there’s only one thing to clean- the mug that just served me that warm, chocolaty deliciousness!
While traditional cakes are perfect for a big group of people, I see no point in going through all the hassle of baking if it’s just for one or two people. In fact, this mug cake is absolutely perfect in that case, as its individual serving allows you to try multiple toppings with different flavors- all in one sitting!
From a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to crushed nuts and sprinkles, have fun customizing and turning this 1-minute mug cake into a delightful experience rather than just baking.
Recipe FAQs
How Long Does Chocolate Mug Cake Last In The Refrigerator?
Mug cakes are best enjoyed fresh as their moist texture tends to dry out if stored for a long time. You can store mug cake for 1 day in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I Make This Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe Dairy-Free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, swap out regular milk for dairy-free alternatives such as almond, soy, or oat milk. Check the labels of the cocoa powder and chocolate to ensure these ingredients are free from dairy as well.
Can I Make This Cake In An Electric Oven Instead Of Microwave?
Yes, you can make this mug cake in an electric oven by preheating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and baking it for 12 minutes in an oven-safe mug.
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