Mug Cake Recipe: Quick, Easy Single-Serve Microwave Dessert
This Mug Cake Recipe whips up a perfect single-serving dessert in the microwave—no fuss, no wait, pure cocoa bliss.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour (swap half for whole-wheat or gluten-free blend)
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar (cane or coconut sugar)
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for vanilla mug cake)
- 1/8 tsp baking powder (a heaping pinch)
- Pinch fine sea salt
- 3 Tbsp milk (dairy, almond, oat—or Greek yogurt thinned with a splash of milk for extra creaminess)
- 1 Tbsp neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, canola or melted coconut)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (omit for straight-up chocolate)
- 1 Tbsp chocolate chips or sprinkles (optional topping)
Instructions
- Lightly coat a 12- to 14-ounce microwave-safe mug with cooking spray or a dab of butter—this helps the cake pop right out if you fancy unmolding it.
- In the mug, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until evenly mixed; the batter should look uniform, with no dark streaks.
- Pour in milk, oil and vanilla extract. Stir briskly with a fork or small whisk, scraping those floury edges so no pockets remain. You’re aiming for a velvety, lump-free batter.
- Drop in the chocolate chips or stir a spoonful of jam for a gooey center—whatever fits your mood.
- Cook on high for 40–50 seconds. Keep an eye on it: the cake should rise and look set on top but still feel slightly springy. Overcooking leads to a rubbery edge, so start low and add ten-second bursts if needed.
- Let the mug cake sit for 1 minute—the heat redistributes, giving a tender crumb. Top with whipped cream, fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra charm.
- Enjoy straight from the mug or invert onto a small plate if you’re feeling fancy—and grab a spoon before it cools too much!
Notes
Measure flour by spooning into the cup to avoid a dense cake; let cocoa powder sit in a sieve to remove lumps before stirring. Store any leftover mug cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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