Some nights you just want chocolate—now. Not a whole pan of brownies. Not a full batch of cookies. Just a warm, gooey, chocolatey treat that hits the spot without taking over your kitchen or your willpower.
This Chocolate Mug Cake is exactly that.
It’s quick, comforting, single-serve, and ready in less than two minutes. If you’ve never made a mug cake before, get ready—they’re dangerously easy and incredibly satisfying.
This small-batch recipe is perfect for:
- late-night cravings
- a cozy dessert for one
- something sweet after dinner
- those moments when you want chocolate but NOT a big dessert sitting around
Let’s make some chocolate magic in a mug.
🍫 Ingredients (Makes 1 Mug Cake)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons milk (any kind works)
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark recommended)
Optional (but amazing):
- A small pinch of espresso powder
- A few extra chocolate chips sprinkled on top
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
🍫 Instructions
- Use a microwave-safe mug.
A standard 10–12 oz mug gives the cake room to rise without spilling over. - Mix the dry ingredients.
Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt directly into the mug. Stir with a fork until combined. - Add the wet ingredients.
Pour in the milk, oil (or melted butter), and vanilla. Stir until the batter is smooth and no dry pockets remain. - Fold in the chocolate chips.
They melt into little pockets of gooey goodness. - Microwave for 60–90 seconds.
Start with 60 seconds, then check: -
- If the top looks slightly glossy, microwave 10–15 more seconds.
- Don’t overcook — the cake keeps cooking as it cools.
- Cool for 1–2 minutes.
This step helps the texture settle into a soft, warm, tender cake. - Serve warm.
Enjoy straight from the mug or top it with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or even peanut butter.
🍫 What Makes This Mug Cake So Good?
✔️ It’s truly single-serve
Just enough dessert to quiet the craving without a full batch tempting you.
✔️ It uses pantry basics
No fancy ingredients—just cocoa, flour, sugar, milk, and oil.
✔️ It’s fast
From the time you think “I could go for something sweet” to actually eating dessert… about two minutes.
✔️ It’s customizable
Use dark chocolate chips for a bolder flavor.
Use milk chocolate for a sweeter treat.
Add peanut butter, caramel, or mint extract for a twist.
This recipe is a foundation you can build endless variations from.
🍫 Tips for the Perfect Mug Cake
- Use a wide mug. Taller, narrow mugs tend to make the cake gummy or inconsistent.
- Don’t overmix. Stir just until combined—overmixing can make it dense.
- Watch the cook time. Every microwave is different. Slightly undercooked is better than dry.
- Add a spoonful of Nutella or peanut butter in the center before microwaving for a molten surprise.
- Top with flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch.
🍫 Chocolate Types That Work Best
Since your whole site explores different kinds of chocolate, here’s what you’ll notice:
- Semi-sweet chips = classic chocolate flavor
- Dark chocolate chips = richer, deeper, less sweet
- Milk chocolate chips = creamier and sweeter
- Bittersweet chocolate = bold and intense, great if you love dark chocolate
All of them work beautifully in this mug cake—so experiment until you find your favorite.
🍫 Why I Love This Recipe
Small-batch desserts are perfect for someone like me who loves chocolate but doesn’t need an entire pan calling my name from the counter. This mug cake gives you the comforting richness of chocolate cake—without leftovers, without guilt, and without the hassle.
It’s one of the easiest, coziest chocolate desserts you can make, and once you try it, you’ll probably find yourself making it more often than you expect.
And honestly? I wouldn’t blame you one bit.