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Hi Bold Bakers!
This holiday season, I’m very excited to share my Big & Bold Chocolate recipes that I know you’ll love. And because I know you love my mug cakes, I thought what better time to indulge in some over-the-top Chocolate Mug Cake recipes than Christmas. These are some of the best mug cake recipe I have ever made including Molten Lava Cake, White Chocolate & Raspberry, and Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mug Cakes.

I consider myself a mug cake connoisseur because I’ve made over 30 varieties, including cookies, breakfasts and cheesecakes. And from what you Bold Bakers tell me, you’ve had great success with them.
When it comes to Chocolate, I am no stranger. We have become well acquainted over the years. My favorite would have to be bittersweet chocolate recipes.
We are going to kick this off with something that your probably you didn’t know you could make in the microwave, and it’s gluten free: it’s the much-requested Molten Lava Cake. Whether you are entertaining others or just treating yourself, everyone deserves a mug full of chocolate love!
Molten Lava Mug Cake

Molten Lava Mug Cake is smooth, velvety and insanely good. This quite possibly could be one of my best Mug Cakes to date.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Molten Lava Mug Cake is smooth, velvety and insanely good. This quite possibly could be my best Chocolate Mug Cake to date.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
- 1 - 1 ⁄2 teaspoons Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
- Toppings (optional): Vanilla Ice Cream Chocolate Shavings
Instructions
Place the butter and chocolate in a microwaveable mug (roughly 1 cup measurement). Microwave until melted, about 30-45 seconds.
Mix in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and salt, and stir until smooth.
In another bowl, using an electric hand mixer or whisk, whip the egg and sugar until thick, roughly 3-4 minutes. It takes a little bit of elbow grease by hand.
Pour the egg sugar mixture into your microwaveable mug containing your melted chocolate and butter and mix until smooth. Add in your chocolate chips on top and push them into the cake. This will give you your “lava” center. If you don’t want to cook them off straight away, then place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Microwave for 45-60 seconds. Take care not to overcook as it will dry out your lava cake. (Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary)
Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Then scoop on your vanilla ice cream and finish with some chocolate shavings.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
White Chocolate & Raspberry Mug Cake (Egg Free)

This White Chocolate & Raspberry mug cake is a well-balanced marriage of both sweet and fruity.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
- 3 1/2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon flavorless oil (canola oil/coconut oil/sunflower oil)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon raspberry jam
Instructions
In a bowl, add in the white chocolate and milk. Microwave until melted, around for 30-40 seconds
Stir in the oil, sugar, flour and baking powder until combined.
In a microwavable mug (roughly 1 cup measurement), add your raspberry jam to the bottom and pour the cake mix in on top. If you don’t want to cook them off straight away, then place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Microwave for 45-60 seconds or until the center is no longer wet. (Timing is based on my microwave so your timing might vary)
Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes and then pipe on your whipped cream. Finish with fresh raspberries and white chocolate shavings.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mug Cake (Vegan)

The Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mug Cake is gluten-free, dairy free, and vegan. I am crazy for these two flavors right now. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet chocolate and salty peanut butter.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 3 tablespoons flavorless oil (canola oil/coconut oil/sunflower oil)
- 3 tablespoons water
- pinch of salt
- 1 ⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of smooth peanut butter
Instructions
In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients minus the peanut butter.
In a microwavable mug (roughly 1 cup measurement), scoop in your peanut butter and then pour your cake mix on top. If you don’t want to cook them off straight away, then place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Microwave for 45-60 seconds. (Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes.
Mix together whipped cream and peanut butter then pipe it on top of your mug cake. Finish by sprinkling over chopped toasted peanuts.
Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
And while Mug Cakes make great single-serving treats, they can also be perfect desserts for dinner parties and holiday events. So in addition to a Mug Cake for one, I’ve included recipes below for 6 servings so you can impress your family and friends with these simple, decadent desserts.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 minutes mins
Total Time 26 minutes mins
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons (3⁄4 cup) unsalted butter
- 1 3 ⁄4 cups Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 egg
- 1 ⁄3 cup white sugar
- 6 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- 6 tbsp Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
- Toppings (optional): Vanilla Ice Cream Chocolate Shavings
Instructions
Place the butter and chocolate in a large bowl. Microwave until melted, 60-90 seconds.
Mix in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract and stir again until the smooth.
Using a hand mixer or a hand whisk whip up the eggs and sugar in a bowl together until thick, roughly 3-4 minutes. It takes a bit of elbow grease by hand.
Pour the egg sugar mixture into the melted chocolate and butter and mix until smooth. Add in your chocolate chips on top and push them into the cake. This will give you your ‘lava’ center.
If you don’t want to cook them off straight away then place them in the fridge for up to 24 hours 6. Microwave 1 at a time for 45-60 seconds. Take care not to overcook as it will dry out your lava cake.
(Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). Cook one at a time so they each cook evenly.
Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Then scoop on your vanilla ice cream and finish with some chocolate shavings.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 minutes mins
Total Time 26 minutes mins
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 1 ⁄2 cup Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
- 1 1 ⁄3 cup milk
- 6 teaspoon flavorless oil (canola oil/coconut oil/sunflower oil) 6 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1 ⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1 ⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
- 6 tablespoon raspberry jam
- Toppings (optional): Whipped Cream
- Fresh Raspberries
- White Chocolate Shavings
Instructions
In a large bowl, stir in the white chocolate and milk. Microwave until melted, around for 60-90 seconds.
Stir in the oil, sugar, flour and baking powder until combined.
Divide the mix evenly between 6 mugs.
If you don’t want to cook them off straight away then place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Microwave 1 at a time for 45-60 seconds. (Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). Cook one at a time so they each cook evenly.
Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes and then pipe on your whipped cream. Finish with fresh raspberries and white chocolate shavings.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 minutes mins
Total Time 26 minutes mins
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup 2 tablespoons Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 1 cup flavorless oil (canola oil/coconut oil/sunflower oil)
- 1 cup water
- 1 1 ⁄2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 4 of 9
- All recipes by Gemma Stafford
- Toppings (optional):
- Whipped Cream Peanut Butter Toasted Peanuts
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients minus the peanut butter.
In 6 microwavable mugs (roughly 1 cup measurement each), scoop in your peanut butter and then pour your cake mix on top.
Divide the mix evenly between 6 mugs.
If you don’t want to cook them off straight away then place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Microwave 1 at a time for 45-60 seconds. (Timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). Cook one at a time so they each cook evenly.
Let the cake stand for 5 minutes before eating. Mix together whipped cream and peanut butter then pipe it on top of your mug cake. Finish by sprinkling over chopped toasted peanuts. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
WW SmartPoints: 23
WW PointsPlus: 14
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe (Molten Lava Cake)
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 493
Calories from Fat 369
% Daily Value*
Fat 41g63%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 225mg75%
Sodium 216mg9%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Thanks to Ghirardelli for helping me bring you these over-the-top Chocolate Mug Cakes. For more of my exclusive chocolate recipes, go to Ghirardelli.com!