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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My easy Nutella Mug Cake offers the ultimate indulgence in just one minute. With a rich, fudgy texture and a delightful chocolate-hazelnut twist, it’s the perfect treat for any chocolate cravings.
- Quick & Effortless: No oven required, ready in just 1 minute with minimal ingredients..
- Rich & Fudgy: The perfect balance of brownie-like texture and hazelnut-chocolate flavor.
- Solo Satisfaction: Perfectly portioned for a single, satisfying treat.
- No Fuss: Minimal prep and no mess—just mix in one bowl and microwave!
I first shared this Nutella Mug Cake Recipe in 2018, and it’s been a fan favorite ever since. I’ve even served it in fancy mugs at dinner parties, and guests still talk about it! I’ve updated the original recipe with fresh tips and advice to help you make the perfect microwave mug cake at home. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try it with my Homemade Nutella Recipe. Enjoy!
Bold Bakers Loved This!
“My son who rarely eats any sweet was craving some sweet tonight and it was one of those times when I didn’t have anything in hand. Made this Nutella brownie in a minute and it was delicious. It was gobbled I think in less than a Minute” — Smita P
“It was the best! All chocolaty and warm. Great with whipped cream. It was so yummy for your tummy, it works really well chocolate chips and smarties my best friend and I love it. I was sure to go on a Sugar high:)” — Anonymous
“I made this last night and it was so easy to prepare and so delicious ! Thank you Gemma!” — Vanessa V.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 3/18/2025, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and stroage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Contents
- What is Nutella Mug Cake?
- Tools You Need
- Key Ingredients and Substitutes
- How to Make Nutella Mug Cake
- Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Why Use A Microwave?
- More Mug Cake Recipes
What is Nutella Mug Cake?
A Nutella mug cake is a single-serving, microwaveable dessert that combines the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie with the delicious flavor of Nutella (Hazelnut Spread).
- Quick & Simple: Made with just 3 ingredients and ready in 1 minute. No baking powder needed.
- Rich & Fudgy: A warm, brownie-like texture with a chocolate-hazelnut twist.
- Single-Serve: Perfectly portioned for one indulgent treat.
- Microwave-Friendly: No oven required, just mix and microwave!
Tools You Need for Nutella Mug Brownie Recipe
- Microwavble mug (12oz-14oz)
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Fork
Key Ingredients and Substitutes
Nutella
- Provides the rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor and moisture for the cake.
- Substitute: You can use any chocolate hazelnut spread, or try to make my recipe Homemade Nutella, for the best result.
Egg
- Acts as a binding agent, providing structure and moisture to the cake.
- Substitute: Use egg substitute from my chart, such as a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water), or a 1/4 cup (2oz/60ml) of unsweetened applesauce as a vegan alternative.
All-Purpose Flour
- Gives the cake structure and helps create a fudgy texture.
- Substitute: Use Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix or a gluten-free flour blend.
How to Make a Nutella Mug Brownie
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large microwavable mug or a small bowl, add the Nutella and egg and stir together.
- Add dry ingredients: Add flour and mix until you have a smooth batter.
- Cook: Microwave for roughly 45 seconds – 1 minute. (Cooking time is based on my 1200W so your timing might vary). Always keep a close eye on your mug while in the microwave so it doesn’t overflow or overcook.
- Let cool: When the brownie is set and firm on top it is done. Let the brownie cool and minutes before serving.
- Serve. Enjoy with some vanilla ice cream while it’s still warm.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Use a large mug: Ensure your mug is big enough to prevent the cake from overflowing while it cooks. A 12 oz mug works best!
- Check your microwave power: Microwave ovens’ wattage varies, so start by microwaving for 45 seconds, then check and add more time if needed. This prevents overcooking.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until combined to keep the cake tender and avoid a tough texture.
- Let it cool slightly: After microwaving, let the cake cool for a minute before digging in for the best texture.
- Serve with a topping: Sprinkle with cocoa powder, drizzle some peanut butter, or top with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat!
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead:
- This mug brownie can be mixed up and held in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Storage:
- Allow the cake to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To reheat, microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after refrigeration.
Why Use a Microwave?
Microwaving your Nutella mug cake is the quickest way to get a chewy, brownie-like texture. The microwave steams the liquid in your batter from the inside out, creating a soft, fudgy cake that’s just as satisfying as a traditionally baked brownie—without the wait.
- Faster Results: The microwave cooks the cake in just a minute, making it perfect for a quick sweet treat.
- Even Texture: The steam helps maintain that moist, chewy consistency by evenly cooking the batter.
Important Notes:
- Adjust for your microwave: Cooking times are based on a 1200W microwave, so your timing may vary. Start with 1 minute, then check the cake batter and adjust as needed.
- Avoid overcooking: If you cook it too long, the cake will dry out and become tough. Your cake is done once the top has just firmed up.
Not in the mood for chocolate? Try my Best-Ever Vanilla Mug Cake recipe for a lighter, equally delicious treat!
More Mug Cake Recipes
- 1 Minute Microwave Brownie In A Mug
- Gemma’s Best-Ever Chocolate Mug Cake
- Chocolate Protein Mug Cake (1 Minute)
- 2-Minute Microwave Brownie Bowl
- Microwave Chocolate Lava Cake Bowl Recipe For Two
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 3/18/2025, to include explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and stroage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Get more Mug Recipes!
Watch The Recipe Video!
Nutella Mug Cake Brownie
Ingredients
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (3 ¼ oz/90 g) Nutella
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large microwavable mug add the Nutella and egg and whisk together.
- Add flour and mix until you have a smooth batter.
- Microwave for roughly 45 seconds - 1 minute. (Cooking time is based on my 1200W so your timing might vary). Always keep a close eye on your mug while in the microwave so it doesn’t overflow or overcook.
- When the brownie is set and firm on top it is done. Let the brownie cool and minutes before serving
- Serve with some vanilla ice cream while it’s still warm.
Recipe Notes
- Use a large mug: Ensure your mug is big enough to prevent the cake from overflowing while it cooks. A 12 oz mug works best!
- Check your microwave power: Microwave ovens' wattage varies, so start by microwaving for 45 seconds, then check and add more time if needed. This prevents overcooking.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until combined to keep the cake tender and avoid a tough texture.
- Let it cool slightly: After microwaving, let the cake cool for a minute before digging in for the best texture.
- Serve with a topping: Sprinkle with cocoa powder, drizzle some peanut butter, or top with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat!
Mine had a rubber texture and looked like sponge Bob square pants. I wasn’t sure whether or not I did it right, so I just binned it because it looked quite dodgey
Very very nice , I tried twice and it didn’t really go well it just didn’t taste nice and wasn’t the best texture until I added 2 tea spoons of sugar to the mix , it tasted delicious one thing i was concerned about was that on the top and bottom it was like the batter didn’t cook but I later realised that I didn’t leave it to set so that is why , very nice quick and easy dessert especially if your not a great baker like me lol ,
Absolutely delicious Nutella brownie ????
Worked well but the flavour is lacking. Definitely add something else like choc chips.
Pretty nice! Only real issue I had was that the bottom seemed to be a tad undercooked, but if I had cooked it more, the rest of the brownie would become rubbery. It could be a side effect of the size of my mug, but regardless, I’d make it again.
Worked really well, only gave 3 stars because it’s definitely lacking in flavour, so might need some additional chocolate/cocoa powder + sugar, and also, after about 3 minutes of being out the microwave, it became quite heavy, but it’s still edible and enjoyable.
I tried making this Nutella Brownie. It turned out delicious and what I did was I added a little bit of milk chocolate which made it amazing. Thank you sooooooooo much for this recipe !
Add chocolate chips and use 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon a flour instead of 2 tablespoons of flour. I also added just a little bit of caramel in the mix. Delicious!
Was way too sweet, I couldn’t finish it. Spongey texture and still wet batter in places. Not too bad for only 3 ingredients though.
Hi! I’ve been hooked on your mug cake videos since the enhanced quarantine in the Philippines. I tried this one. My microwave has 750 W and I tried twice. 1st one was on 1 minute 20 seconds and it got rubbery. I lessened it to 1 minute. It came out better but still could be better if it’s softer. It’s kind of misleading since I have lower microwave wattage I expected that I needed to microwave it longer. I’m gonna try again but maybe lesser time?