Gemma’s Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake is your go-to indulgence when you’re craving something sweet but short on time or ingredients. It’s quick, easy, and delivers a rich, chocolatey treat that’s ready in no time—perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without any fuss.

• Ready in Minutes: Enjoy a delicious dessert in under 5 minutes.
• Minimal Ingredients: Uses ingredients you likely already have on hand.
• Effortless Preparation: Mix, microwave, and indulge—all in one mug. No need to heat up the kitchen with an oven!
• Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth: A rich and moist chocolate cake that hits the spot every time.

When it comes to mug recipes, we pride ourselves on knowing a thing or two, having over 100 Mug Cakes & Meals — so you know this Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake truly lives up to its name. It’s inspired by our famous Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe, which we’ve scaled down into a perfect, cupcake-sized mug cake.

If you’re a fan of our other mug cake recipes, you’ll appreciate how we’ve taken the same winning formula and adapted it for a quick and satisfying treat.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/4/2024, to include explanations and healthy substitutes of key ingredients, the best mix-ins, falvor variations, answers to the most frequently asked questions and Pro Chef Tips. 

Table of Contents

• What is Chocolate Mug Cake?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
• What are The Best Mix-ins for Chocolate Mug Cake?
• FAQs (Flavor Variations and More!)
• More Mug Recipes

What is Chocolate Mug Cake?

Chocolate Mug Cake is a quick and convenient single-serving dessert made by mixing a chocolate cake batter in a microwaveable mug and cooking it in the microwave.

• Ready in Under 5 Minutes: A fast solution for a sweet craving.
• Moist and Rich: The microwave method keeps the cake deliciously moist.
• Minimal Ingredients: Uses basic ingredients, often ones you already have.
• Effortless Cleanup: Prepared and enjoyed all in one mug, making cleanup a breeze.

Tools You Need

• 12-14 oz microwave-safe mug
• Measuring spoons
• Fork
• Piping Bag with Nozzle (Optional)

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

• All-purpose flour

  • All-purpose flour provides structure to the cake by forming the base and giving it body.
  • For a healthier version, you can substitute whole wheat flour for up to 50% all-purpose flour. To make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or our Easy Almond Flour Mix.

• Granulated sugar

  • Sugar adds sweetness and helps to tenderize and moisten the cake.
  • For a healthier version, you can also use natural sugars such as coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, allulose sugar, or other sugar-free sweeteners from our Sugar Substitute Chart that fit your needs.

• Unsweetened cocoa powder

  • Gives the cake its rich chocolate flavor.
  • Dutch-processed cocoa powder, all-natural cocoa powder, or cacao powder will all work well.

• Baking powder

  • Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise and become fluffy.

• Salt

  • Salt enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.

• Egg

  • Egg binds the ingredients together, adds richness, and contributes to the cake’s structure.
  • Egg substitutes from our Egg Substitute Chart will work well here.

• Milk

  • Milk adds moisture, helps dissolve the dry ingredients, and creates a smoother batter. We use whole milk for its rich flavor and creamy texture.
  • Alternatively, you can use skim milk or non-fat milk, or dairy-free milk such as coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.

• Vegetable oil

  • Oil adds moisture and tenderness to the cake, keeping it soft.
  • For a healthier version, you can replace vegetable oil with coconut oil, avocado oil, melted butter, ghee, or even olive oil which will pair surprisingly well with chocolate flavor: The Internet’s Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

• Chocolate chips

  • Provide pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cake, adding texture and extra chocolatey goodness.
  • You can also use toasted chopped nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, or white chocolate chips for a different twist.

How to Make Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake

Make the batter

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a microwaveable mug mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt with a fork.

2. Combine with wet ingredients: Add in the egg, milk, oil, and chocolate chips and whisk until you have a smooth cake batter.

Cook the batter

3. Microwave your cake for roughly 45 seconds, then check for doneness. The cake should have risen and be firm to the touch. If it is not done and still looks wet on top, cook for 10 seconds at a time and stop cooking just as soon as it is set. (Take care not to overbake or this will toughen the cake.)
4. Important note: The timing is based on our microwave which is 1200 WATTS. Check the wattage of your microwave because your timing may vary. Some microwaves can take up to 2 minutes to cook this cake, but its better to go slow and keep checking.

Serve the chocolate mug cake

5. Once cooked, top with a little nutella,  fudge frosting, whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some sprinkles, and enjoy!! Best enjoyed shortly after microwaving.

Gemma’s Pro Tips for Making the Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake

• Take care not to over mix the mug cake as it can toughen the cake.
• Add a few drops of vanilla extract for a mild franrant flavor that enhances the chocolate.
• Don’t over-microwave! These only need about a minute to cook so check after 45 seconds and go from there. You can always keep going slowly, for 10 or 15 seconds at a time and keep checking.
• If you have a lower wattage microwave, it may take up to 2 minutes to cook, but go slow after the first 45 seconds until you get to know your microwave.
• Make sure your mug has no metal or metallic paint on it that will react in the microwave
• Want to make a cake for two? Try my Microwave Chocolate Lava Cake Bowl!
• Next time you frost a cake, freeze any small amounts of leftover of frosting in an ice cube tray, then transfer to an airtight container. This way, you always have a little something to top your mug cakes with. This method would work quite well with my Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting, Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting, Vanilla or Salted Caramel Buttercreams.

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

Microwave mug cakes are best eaten once they have cooled from the microwave.

1. Store it at room temperature for 24 hours if there is any leftover.
2. Or, mix up the batter beforehand and that can be held in the fridge for 48 hours and microwaved as you wish.

What are The Best Mix-ins for Chocolate Mug Cake?

Here are some fun mix-in ideas to elevate your Chocolate Mug Cake:

• Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added crunch.
• Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried cherries for a fruity twist.
• Peanut Butter: Swirl in a spoonful of peanut butter or add peanut butter chips.
• Caramel: Add a few pieces of caramel candy or a swirl of caramel sauce.
• Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder for extra flavor.
• Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows for a gooey, s’mores-like effect.
• Toffee Bits: For a sweet, crunchy texture.
• Mint: Crushed peppermint candies or mint chocolate chips for a refreshing taste.
• Coconut: Shredded coconut for a tropical touch.
• Oreos: Crushed Oreo cookies for a cookies-and-cream flavor.
• Instant Coffee: A pinch of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Fruit: Fresh or frozen berries like raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries for a burst of freshness.

FAQs

How can I make a vegan Chocolate Mug Cake?

• Egg: Replace with 1 tablespoon of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water).
• Milk: Replace with any plant-based milk like coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.
• Chocolate Chips: Use vegan chocolate chips.

What are the most popular Chocolate Mug Cake flavor variations?

Here are Bold Bkers’ favorite Chocolate Mug Cake flavors:

1. Peanut Butter Chocolate Mug Cake:

   • Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the batter.
   • Top with peanut butter chips or a dollop of peanut butter after microwaving.

2. Mocha Mug Cake:

   • Mix in a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder with the dry ingredients.
   • Top with a sprinkle of cocoa powder and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

3. Mint Chocolate Mug Cake:

   • Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract.
   • Add mint chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies.

4. Salted Caramel Chocolate Mug Cake:

   • Swirl in a tablespoon of caramel sauce into the batter.
   • Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt before microwaving.

5. Raspberry Chocolate Mug Cake (Gemma loves raspberries!):

   • Mix in a handful of fresh or frozen raspberries.
   • Top with raspberry preserves or a few more raspberries after microwaving.

6. Cookies and Cream Mug Cake:

   • Fold in crushed Oreo cookies into the batter.
   • Top with a dollop of whipped cream and more crushed Oreos.

7. Spiced Chocolate Mug Cake:

   • Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder to the dry ingredients.
   • Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or cocoa powder.

8. Nutella Chocolate Mug Cake:

   • Mix a tablespoon of Nutella into the batter.
   • Top with a spoonful of Nutella and a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts.

Can I Make this in an oven?

If you don’t have or choose not to use a microwave, you can bake the mug cake at 350°F (180°C) for roughly 10 minutes.

More Mug Meals & Cakes Recipes

• Gemma’s Best-Ever Vanilla Mug Cake
• 1 Minute Microwave Brownie In A Mug
• Microwave Mug Pizza
• The Fastest Way to Make Banana Bread
• Microwave Jelly Donut in a Mug: Mugnut

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 8/4/2024, to include explanations and healthy substitutes of key ingredients, the best mix-ins, falvor variations, answers to the most frequently asked questions and Pro Chef Tips. 

Don’t forget to buy a copy of  Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook!

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