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Home » Cake Recipes

Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

Published April 9, 2021 Last Modified February 21, 2025 By GreedyEats

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Easy Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe made in 1:30 minutes. You will never want to bake another chocolate cake after you try this simple, moist and eggless chocolate cake for one or two that is ready in minutes!

I have got a few more mug recipes up my sleeve. Try this popular Lemon Mug Cake Recipe next! Wait till you look at how it looks! I am sure you will leave everything else that you are doing and will rush to your kitchen to make it.

This Banana Mug Cake Recipe is a must try too. If you are only here for chocolate, find all my Chocolate Dessert Recipes at one place!

Easy, moist and decadent Chocolate Mug Cake made in microwave topped with strawberry and chocolate chips.
Jump to:
  • What is a mug cake?
  • How did this recipe originate?
  • Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions:
  • How to make this Cake:
  • Tips and Tricks for a perfect cake:
  • Which type of mug to use?
  • Why are mug cakes chewy?
  • How long should I cook the cake in microwave?
  • Can I make this cake Dairy an gluten Free?
  • How do you make a microwave cake better?
  • More Chocolate Desserts for you to try:
  • Recipe

What is a mug cake?

It is exactly what its name suggests. It is a cake that's prepared in mug and then is cooked in microwave. It is a perfect single serving dessert or you can share it with a loved one.

Texture of todays cake: 

Soft and Chocolatey bite of decadence

Moist and rich yet has a fluffy crumb

Topped with gooey chocolate chips

Not gummy, not gluey, not rubbery and not a dry crumb in sight

How did this recipe originate?

I tried so many recipes online but none of them could satisfy my chocolate craving. My standards weren't too high btw. I only wanted a cake that doesn't cook like a gluey, chewy or rubbery.

I only wanted a cake that cooks soft, chocolatey, rich, moist and not like your typical mug cakes.

So I decided to select my chocolate cake as the base for this recipe. Now that was an easy choice and I just had to scale down that recipe.

But there was one problem! That recipe has egg in it. And I did not want to develop a recipe that includes half an egg in it. So I had to find an ingredient that I can substitute egg with. I checked some eggless cake recipes out there.

They were replacing eggs with buttermilk/yogurt. I did the same and voila! The recipe was a sweet success.

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions:

This is a list of ingredients that you will need to make this cake. Most of these ingredients would be available in your pantry right now. Check recipe card for quantity of each.

  • Flour: We are using all purpose flour as the base of this recipe. You can also use a gluten free flour here.
  • Oil: I don't recommend reducing its amount in the cake batter. Any flavorless oil will work here. Oil will make for a super moist instant cake. Coconut oil works well too here, if you are looking for a healthier alternative.
  • Leaveners: Both baking powder and baking soda are required for a perfect rise. Make sure your leaveners are not stale before adding them in the batter.
  • Water: Water will make the batter a bit on the thinner side. But don't worry this will make the most moist cake.
  • Coffee: It is optional but adds a ton of flavor to the cake. I suggest you don't skip it. It won't add coffee flavor to the cake, will only enhance chocolate flavor.
  • Milk: Full fat milk produces a rich cake. But 2 percent works just fine, I always use it here. You can also use almond milk, soy milk or any other dairy free milk to make this cake dairy free.
mug cake batter in the making.
Mixing dry ingredients into wet to make chocolate cake.
Chocolate cake batter in a microwave safe mug .

How to make this Cake:

Heat and mix all the wet ingredients: Heat milk, water and coffee for about 30 seconds, give it a mix and then add oil, sugar, vinegar and vanilla to the mix.

Sift dry ingredients into wet: Sift all the dry ingredients in this wet mixture and fold till no dry ingredients are visible. Make sure to get to the bottom of the mug to ensure even mixing.

Pour in mug: Make sure the mug is microwave safe and then pour the batter in mug.

Cook in Microwave: Generally this cake gets ready in one minute and a half cooked at 100% power. But all microwaves are different, so keep an eye on the cake as it cooks. It is ready when the top looks done and the cake passes toothpick test.

Time for add ins: Other than chocolate chips, you can add spreads like nutella or peanut butter to the cake batter. Add the spread (about a tablespoon) in the center of batter and no need to push it down. The cake will cover the spread as it cooks.

Tips and Tricks for a perfect cake:

Mug Size and Shape: The shape of your mug can alter the cooking time of your cake. If the mug is on the taller side, the cake can take a little longer to cook. If the cup is small and wide it might take a little less time for the cake to be done. It's unfortunate but there is not a one time that fits all.

Generally around 1 and a half minutes of cooking time should be right for most of you, but I suggest to keep a close eye when making it for the first time.

Microwave Time and Power: Just like the size and shape of the mug, kind of microwave and the power you use to cook cake can alter cake's cooking time.

Do not end up overcooking this cake: Microwave cakes are easy to overcook. An overcooked cake will end up being super dry and not as moist. You don't want that. As soon as you notice the top of your cake is set, it is ready. Remember, the cake will continue to set as the cake cools. Which is why we are giving it that setting time, so take that into consideration.

Which type of mug to use?

Always use microwave safe mug. I know it sounds obvious, but make sure to check on the bottom of your mug that it is safe to be used in microwave.

Moist and decadent Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake baked in 1 and ½ minutes.

Why are mug cakes chewy?

Number one reason for this to happen is you might have over baked your cake. To avoid this bake your cake in microwave only till the top looks just set. Or follow the instruction time closely as the recipe states.

How long should I cook the cake in microwave?

Cooking time of microwave cake can vary slightly depending on the microwave and the mug you use. So I suggest to keep a close eye on it. As soon as the cake looks set on top, it is done. 

So keep checking after small increments, when cooking it for the first time. My cake usually takes a minute and half.

Simple and moist Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe made in microwave and topped with chocolate chips.

Can I make this cake Dairy an gluten Free?

Yes you can. Use a dairy free milk like soy or almond milk instead of regular milk. Gluten free flour works in a pinch for this cake.

How do you make a microwave cake better?

Make sure everything is mixed well in the batter. To ensure even mixing, I make my batter in a bowl and then quickly transfer it into the mug.

Do not over bake the cake. It will set a lot more as it cools down.

Don't attempt to add eggs in single serving cakes. Since one egg will be too much for such small quantity of cake batter here.

More Chocolate Desserts for you to try:

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Small Batch Brownies

Mini Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

Easy Chocolate Truffles

If you liked this Recipe give it a star review. Also, tell me in the comments below, how did this turn out for you! And don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram at #greedyeatsblog Also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook! 

Recipe

Easy, moist and decadent Chocolate Mug Cake made in microwave.

Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

Easy Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe made in 1:30 minutes. You will never want to bake another chocolate cake after you try this simple, moist and eggless chocolate cake for one or two that is ready in minutes!
4.54 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 1 minute minute
Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
Servings 2 People
Calories: 268kcal
Author: Neha

Equipment

  • 12 oz Microwave safe mug

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons (60 ml) Milk
  • 2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (36ml) Water
  • ½ teaspoon Instant Coffee
  • 4 Tablespoons (50 gms) Sugar
  • 4 teaspoons (20 ml) Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon Vinegar
  • 6 Tablespoons (47 gms) All purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon (heaping) Baking Soda
  • a pinch Salt
  • 2 and ½ Tablespoons Cocoa Powder (Natural, Unsweetened)
  • 3 Tablespoons Mini chocolate chips (to top after baking)

Instructions

  • Mix milk, water and coffee in a microwave safe bowl and heat them for about 30 seconds. Give them a quick stir to mix everything in and add oil, vanilla, sugar and vinegar next. Mix again.
  • Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt over wet ingredients and fold until the streaks of flour and cocoa disappear in the batter.
  • Pour batter in a 12 oz sized microwave mug and bake for 1 and ½ minutes or till the top of the cake looks set and the cake passes toothpick test..
  • Top with chocolate chips and allow the cake to cool down for a minute or two before enjoying!

Notes

Storing Information:
I don't recommend storing mug cakes for long. Since these taste best when fresh.
If you are required to keep them for a few hours, store them at room temperature covered tightly at all times. I use cling wraps to cover the mugs.
Add ins: 
Apart from chocolate chips you can also add Nutella, Biscoff, Peanut butter or any other spread of choice in the center of cake batter before cooking it. You don't need to push the spread down as the cake will cover it when it bakes.
Tips to make a Perfect Mug Cake:
  1. Don't skip vinegar from the recipe. You need it to react with leaveners and give the cake a proper lift.
  2. I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients to eliminate all the guess work and eye balling. It really makes a difference in the texture of the final bake.  
Mug Size:
  • To bake this cake in a single mug you will require a 12 oz mug.
  • If you don't have such a big sized mug, you can divide this batter between two small mugs and bake them individually or together for 1 and ½ minutes each.
  • If you want only one small mug cake that serves one (instead of a big cake), simply half this recipe and bake for 1 and ½ minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 2People | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 174mg | Sugar: 12g
Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Mention @greedyeats or tag #Greedyeats!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    March 25, 2025 at 5:56 pm

    This mug cake seems so good! I should try it sometime!

    Reply
  2. doris

    July 24, 2024 at 10:41 am

    the cake looks good but I would have to leave out the coffee since I don't drink the stuff and to me its nasty stuff

    Reply
  3. Harriet Young

    July 24, 2024 at 1:06 am

    5 stars
    Perfect for when you want to serve dessert but have no time! So simple. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Dina and Bruce

    July 23, 2024 at 11:35 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this for a snack! So good, and so fast! Loved!

    Reply
  5. Gianne

    July 23, 2024 at 8:58 pm

    5 stars
    The cake was incredibly moist and rich, providing a perfect chocolatey treat in just a few minutes. It's now my go-to dessert for a quick and satisfying sweet fix!

    Reply
  6. Vicky

    July 23, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    Just whipped up this chocolate mug cake and it's so quick and satisfying. Highly recommend this for a speedy dessert!

    Reply
  7. Jess

    May 19, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    Can't believe how quickly this goodness is made!

    Reply
  8. Dana

    May 19, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe! And so easy. Great way to satisfy that sweet tooth on a whim.

    Reply
  9. Sonal Gupta

    May 19, 2023 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    My kids enjoyed making this recipe for their after dinner dessert. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Maggie

    May 19, 2023 at 12:12 pm

    This chocolate mug cake sounds amazing. I would love to try it. Maybe this weekend when I have time. Pinning! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  11. Beth

    May 19, 2023 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    I JUST made this, and it is DANGEROUS! I had everything I needed to make it, and it only took a few minutes. I have no self-control, so this could be bad. LOL

    Reply
  12. Jessica

    April 13, 2021 at 12:16 am

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe Neha!
    This is a very easy recipe that my family liked a lot.. We have prepared this 5 times already

    Reply
  13. Kitty

    April 12, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Great for a chocolate lover who just wants a quick little something. I always have some of my regular brew in the frig. Can I substitute regular brewed coffee (cooled) for the water (instead of using water & the instant coffee)?

    Reply
    • GreedyEats

      April 13, 2021 at 10:38 pm

      Yes Absolutely you can Kitty! Use 47 ml of that brewed coffee.

      Reply
  14. Emman Damian

    April 10, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    5 stars
    Easy Chocolate Mug Cake is such an easy recipe! My niece and nephews can do this and your recipe seems so tasty! I'll let them try it this weekend.

    Reply
  15. Elise Ho

    April 10, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    I think the thing I love most about mug cakes is that they are individual serving. You can make the decision to have a little splurge without the temptation of a whole cake.

    Reply
  16. Samantha

    April 10, 2021 at 9:05 am

    Yum, this sounds great and so easy! Perfect for a small dessert.

    Reply
  17. Dominique Walton Brooks

    April 09, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    5 stars
    Aren't these delicious? A perfect way to get a little bit of chocolate without overindulging! I have a chocolate mug cake recipe on my blog too!

    Reply
  18. Gervin Khan

    April 09, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    5 stars
    A quick and delicious dessert to make for my siblings today. It looks delicious and I am so excited to make this for them.

    Reply

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