One-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

The good news is this delicious Chocolate Mug Cake recipe is vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, and with some substitutions, it could also be egg-free.

In just 60-90 seconds, you can indulge in a decadent mug cake that is incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings. Simply mix all the ingredients in a jug, and you’re all set. Voila!

Have you ever been in such a dire situation that you craved gluten-free chocolate cake but thought it was too time-consuming to prepare and cook? Yeap, we know what you mean! The beauty of mug cakes is that they’re incredibly fast to make, tasty, and can be enjoyed at any time of day.

What’s To Love?

💕 This delicious mug cake takes just a minute to prepare, and no oven is required, just a microwave.
💕 Doesn’t require any complex cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 This is a mug cake that you won’t need to decorate; just eat it as is.
💕 It is the perfect chocolate quick treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
💕 No fancy kitchen equipment is needed.

Have you already tried the Chocolate Mug Cake? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Flour — we use almond flour for the mug cake.
• Cocoa Powder — If you prefer using cacao powder, then substitute equal amounts.
• Sugar — use golden caster sugar; avoid using granulated because the granules are more difficult to break down.
• Baking Powder — use a high-quality baking powder to avoid aluminum, which helps with its extra fluffiness.
• Salt — use Himalayan salt; it brings out the flavor and offsets the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract — use Nielsen Massey, which is made with real vanilla beans and alcohol. The vanilla is quite potent and adds a beautiful richness to desserts.
• Chocolate Chips — there’s nothing better than chocolate chips inside your mug cake.
• Milk — we use whole milk dairy.
• Egg — use medium to large eggs at room temperature.
• Butter — For the best results, use dairy butter at room temperature.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Flour — substitute the almond flour for one tablespoon of coconut flour.
• Cocoa Powder — the brands we like are Green & Blacks and If you prefer using cacao powder, then substitute equal
• Sugar — great alternatives to regular sugar are erythritol, xylitol, and allulose. We have tried and tested these substitutes, and all have worked perfectly.
• Vanilla Extract — if you prefer a non-alcohol base, use vanilla flavoring.
• Chocolate Chips — a great alternative is dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Milk — use creamy dairy-free alternatives such as cashew, almond, or coconut.
• Egg — use one tablespoon flaxseed meal (ground linseed) plus 2 1⁄2 tablespoons of water. Let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken, then add it to the ingredients.
• Butter — a great alternative is dairy-free butter.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Chocolate Mug Cake with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

Chocolate mug cake is so easy to make that even a child could make it. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ In a microwave-safe mug, whisk the almond flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the mug. Mix everything thoroughly with a fork until you have a smooth batter. If you want extra chocolatey, add some chocolate chips to the batter.

▶︎ Microwave the mug on high for one minute. The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s power. Start with one minute, then microwave in additional 10-second intervals. Be careful not to overcook, as the cake can become dry.

▶︎ When the mug cake is cooked, let it cool slightly before serving. You can eat it directly from the mug or transfer it to a plate.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Chocolate Mug Cake? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• Mini Whisk – to whisk the ingredients together or use a fork.
• Glass Mug – or your favorite large mug to serve the cake.
• Microwave – to cook the mug cake.
• Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this hand mixer for mixing, whisking, and beating. Even the whisk attachment can be used for mixing the mug cake together. It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Our chocolate mug cake tastes as good as any oven-baked cake. It is frequently eaten as a standalone dessert, but here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ A dollop of peanut butter, Nutella, or any other chocolate/caramel sauce is delicious.

▶︎ The mug cake is particularly yummy with Vanilla Ice Cream, and we have our Mocha Coffee Ice Cream that would also pair well with it.

▶︎ Try our homemade Vanilla Coconut Yogurt or our Perfectionist Thick Custard with it; it’s spectacular.

More Recipes

Here are some other delicious recipes that we think you might also like:

⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Chocolate Mug Cake every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.