Microwave Chocolate Cake in a Mug

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These mug cakes taste like the best molten chocolate cakes that you would get at a restaurant, but you can make them at home in minutes using your microwave! My recipe for mug cakes uses both melted chocolate and cocoa powder so it’s extra chocolaty!

I love how the entire mug cake recipe is prepared inside the mug. You don’t need any extra bowls!

Mug cake with a spoon
This easy chocolate mug cake is perfect for when a chocolate craving hits and you want a simple and quick dessert!

And, the best part about making these microwave chocolate cakes is that you can make just one – you don’t have to make a giant cake or a whole batch of chocolate cupcakes.

How to Make Mug Cakes

Chocolate mug cake on a spoon
This simple mug cake is loaded with delicious chocolate flavor. This is a great way to make a quick chocolate cake in a singe-serve portion!

First, make sure that you have a microwave-safe mug. Most of them are, but you wouldn’t want to use a metal camping mug or something that would crack.

Start by melting chocolate and butter with milk in the microwave. The amount of time will vary by microwave; it takes about 40 seconds in mine.

Melting chocolate, butter, and milk in a mug
This is the best mug cake recipe you’ll find! Decadent and moist, this microwave chocolate cake recipe is so easy to prepare.

You can melt any chocolate you have sitting around your house into your mug cake. I like to use dark chocolate, but if you have a milk chocolate bar that you love, go ahead and break some of that off to put into your cake.

I use 1/2 ounce of chocolate. You don’t need to break out your scale, though – just do a little bit of math or use my cheat sheet:

  • If your bar is 1.5 ounces, use about 1/3 of it.
  • If your bar is 2 ounces, use 1/4 of it.
  • If your bar is 3 ounces, use 1/6th of it.

Chocolate bars are often divided into squares, which should help you break off the correct amount. And, don’t worry about getting it 100% correct. There is room for error in this recipe.

Also, don’t go out and buy any special milk for this little cake. It will work with any milk you have, even soy or almond milk.

Once everything is melted, give it a good stir to make sure that there are no remaining chunks of butter or chocolate. (Avoid the temptation to drink it like hot chocolate!)

Melted butter, milk, and chocolate in a mug
This microwave cake recipe takes classic cake ingredients and measures them out for a lovely single-serve chocolate mug cake.

Then, add flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt to the mug and stir until the dry ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

stirring ingredients in a mug
Using both melted chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder ensures that this microwave chocolate cake is rich and super chocolaty!

Finally, drop in a handful of chocolate chips.

Adding chocolate chips to mug
And if that weren’t enough, we also made this microwave chocolate cake with chocolate chips for a melty surprise inside!

Microwave for 70 seconds on high. The top should look set up and the chocolate chips should be melted.

Important: Microwaves vary greatly, so the timing may be different for you. Experiment and see what works best.

Getting a spoonful of chocolate mug cake
Don’t wait to dig into this chocolaty treat – eat immediately after it finishes cooking!

Eat immediately!

If you somehow happen to have leftovers, you can always reheat the mug cake in the microwave again.

Can I bake cake in the microwave?

Absolutely! As long as you use the right measurements of ingredients and a proper baking dish (like a mug), it’s quick and easy to produce delicious and high quality cake right in your microwave!

Why is my microwave cake hard?

If you find your microwave chocolate cake is a bit hard, this might mean you’ve overcooked it a bit. Try a shorter time and be aware that the cake will continue to cook a bit as it sits from the residual heat.

What makes cake soft and fluffy?

For a nice and light chocolate mug cake, there are several measures you can take: use cake flour, add a bit of sour cream, or add a bit of baking soda in addition to the baking powder. Also make sure that you only mix the batter until everything is just incorporated, and, as mentioned above, don’t overcook it!

Chocolate Mug Cake Variations

For a twist, try:

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
Mug cake with a spoon
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Microwave Chocolate Cake in a Mug

This mug cake tastes like the best molten chocolate cake! The recipe uses both melted chocolate and cocoa powder so it's extra chocolaty! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 687kcal
Author Stefani

Equipment

  • Microwave-safe mug

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce chocolate This could be a chocolate bar broken into pieces, chocolate squares, or a small handful of chocolate chips. Dark or milk chocolate both work.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup milk any kind – even soy or almond milk will work
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips dark or semi-sweet

Instructions

  • Place chocolate, butter, and milk in a microwave-safe mug. Microwave on high for 40 seconds and stir to fully combine. If there are still pieces of butter or unmelted chocolate remaining, microwave for another 20 seconds.
  • Let the mixture cool for two minutes.
  • Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar, salt, and vanilla to the mug and stir to combine.
  • Place chocolate chips on top.
  • Microwave on high for 70 seconds or until the top of the cake is set and the chips are melted.
  • Eat immediately!

Video

Notes

You will need use microwave-safe mugs to bake mug cakes. Not all mugs can be used in the microwave, so please check before baking in yours.
Microwaves can vary greatly, so cook times may be different in yours. 
If you don’t have a kitchen scale, use this guide to easily figure out how much chocolate to put in the cake:
  • If your bar is 1.5 ounces, use about 1/3 of it.
  • If your bar is 2 ounces, use 1/4 of it.
  • If your bar is 3 ounces, use 1/6th of it. 

Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 866IU | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 4mg
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