People say this fudgy chocolate mug cake recipe is the best mug cake they’ve ever tried. And you can make it in the microwave or oven!

The best chocolate cake in a mug

This is the chocolate mug cake recipe for chocolate lovers.

Rich, decadent, and delicious, the recipe has over two thousand positive reviews from readers who’ve made the chocolate cake and absolutely love it.

So if you’ve been disappointed with other chocolate mug cake recipes in the past, definitely be sure to give this one a try, because it will not disappoint!

Readers also love this Brownie in a Mug

Microwave chocolate mug cake recipe

I could tell you that I labored in front of a hot oven all day baking this cake.

But the reality is that the chocolate mug cake took only one minute.

Yes, really.

And it is made with pantry staple ingredients you can always keep on hand, with no eggs required.

Any time you are craving chocolate, now all you have to do is head to the kitchen and whip up this easy chocolate dessert in the microwave.

You can even portion out the dry ingredients ahead of time and store the chocolate cake mix in small Ziploc bags so the recipe will be even quicker to make when you’re ready to eat.

It’s like chocolate cake meal prep!

For a larger version, try this Vegan Chocolate Cake

Chocolate mug cake flavors

Chocolate Peanut Butter: Omit the oil in the recipe below, and stir in one or two tablespoons of peanut butter (or almond butter) in its place.

Nutella Mug Cake: Instead of oil, add a tablespoon of your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread. I like this Homemade Nutella Recipe. Top with more Nutella!

Chocolate Peppermint: Stir a fourth teaspoon of pure peppermint extract into the liquid ingredients before stirring everything together to form a batter.

Dark Chocolate Coconut: Use coconut oil, and top the finished mug cake with dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and a scoop of Coconut Ice Cream.

Mocha Mug Cake: Stir half a teaspoon of instant coffee granules, regular or decaf, in with the cake’s dry ingredients.

Chocolate Orange: Add one teaspoon of orange zest to the mug before stirring.

What is your dream single serving mug cake flavor? If there are any other ideas you’d like to see that I do not have listed above, definitely let me know!

Frosting options

Feel free to decorate your single serving chocolate cake with shredded coconut, chopped walnuts or pecans, mini chocolate chips, hot fudge sauce or caramel sauce.

I used this homemade Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.

Or you can frost the cake however you wish, such as with store bought or homemade vanilla or chocolate frosting, powdered sugar or melted chocolate, sliced bananas, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, or raspberry jam.

It’s also wonderful topped with Coconut Whipped Cream or Almond Milk Ice Cream.

Chocolate mug cake recipe video

Above, watch the step-by-step video

How to make a chocolate mug cake

Step One: Start by combining all of the dry ingredients in a cereal bowl or small dish. Stir very well, to ensure the salt and baking powder are evenly distributed.

Step Two: Add liquid, stir to form a chocolate cake batter, and pour the batter into a microwave or oven safe dish, ramekin, or coffee mug.

Especially if you are not planning to eat the cake straight out of the mug, be sure to grease the dish well before adding the batter.

Step Three: Microwave for thirty to forty seconds. Mine is always fluffy and cooked through after this time, but you may need to cook longer depending on your microwave’s wattage.

Or bake the mug cake in the oven for fourteen minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean.

Step Four: Frost the top of the chocolatey dessert and enjoy. To store leftovers… Wait, what leftovers?

Mug cake recipe ingredients

Here’s what you need to make the single serving recipe: cocoa, flour, sweetener, salt, baking powder, milk of choice, pure vanilla extract, and oil or banana.

Cocoa powder – Use regular unsweetened cocoa powder for the first tablespoon of cocoa. Dutch cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix, or additional regular unsweetened cocoa can be used for the two teaspoons.

Flour – The recipe works well with white flour, oat flour, all purpose gluten free flour, or spelt flour (my personal preference). I have not tried it with any other options such as whole wheat flour or pastry flour.

A keto mug cake version with almond flour is also included in the recipe box below.

Sweetener – This can be granulated sugar or unrefined coconut sugar or a liquid option like pure maple syrup or honey.

For a sugar free mug cake, use xylitol or granulated erythritol. Stevia technically works, but the flavor and texture are better if you go with one of the other options listed here.

Fat source – I think the cake tastes best made with coconut oil. My second favorite choice is peanut butter or almond butter. Vegetable oil is also fine to use.

If you want a low fat or fat free mug cake, many readers have written in to say it works to substitute applesauce, Greek yogurt, sweet potato, pumpkin, or mashed banana. I much prefer the taste with some fat added, but that is a personal taste preference.

Vegan chocolate mug cake

The mug cake is already naturally eggless, which means it is super easy to create a dairy free and vegan version.

Just use a plant based milk, such as coconut milk, soy milk, or almond milk. If topping with chocolate chips, ice cream, or frosting, choose vegan options for those as well.

For a gluten free chocolate mug cake, use either oat flour or gluten free all purpose flour. If you experiment with any other gluten free flours, let me know how it goes.

You may also like these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Easy Chocolate Dessert Recipes

Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Sorbet

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Homemade Chocolate Bars

Peanut Butter Brownies

Protein Ice Cream

Chocolate Truffles