Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Article by Layla Khoury-Hanold

If you’re craving cake but don’t want to bake a whole one, mug cakes are an easy, fast way to make a single serving. Since everything is mixed and baked in a mug, clean-up is a breeze. Ree’s chocolate mug cake recipe makes a rich, fudgy treat that comes together with a few pantry ingredients and 90 seconds in the microwave. Here, you’ll learn the secret ingredient for moist and flavorful results and how to achieve an ideal texture (a crisp top and soft interior).

How to Make Mug Cake Like a Pro

Start with a microwave-safe mug. Save the homemade ceramics for coffee and tea. When making mug cakes, you’ll want to use an inexpensive, microwave-safe option.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a mug. Add all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt to the mug and stir with a fork.

Add the wet ingredients to the mug. Add milk, vegetable oil and a splash of vanilla to the mug and stir into the dry ingredients using the same fork.

Add chocolate chips for extra moisture and flavor. Ree stirs in chocolate chips to make the cake super chocolatey; as the mug cake bakes in the microwave, the chocolate chips also help the cake stay nice and moist.

Bake the mug cake in the microwave. Microwave the cake on high for 90 seconds to attain a nice, crisp surface and a soft middle. Don’t microwave it for longer or the cake will dry out.

Allow the cake to cool, then serve. Allow the mug cake to set and cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then serve with whipped cream or chocolate ice cream, if desired.

What Is Mug Cake?

A mug cake is a single-serving cake that is mixed and baked in a mug in the microwave. Common mug cake flavors include chocolate, vanilla, Funfetti, brownie, Oreo, chocolate chip and peanut butter. Ree’s chocolate mug cake is made with all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and chocolate chips.

How Long to Microwave Mug Cake?

Ree’s recipe for chocolate mug cake takes 90 seconds in the microwave. In general, mug cakes take 60 to 90 seconds to cook in the microwave, though the timing may vary depending on the type of mug cake you’re making and the power of your microwave. Take care not to overcook the mug cakes, as the cake will dry out. You’ll know the cake is done when it has a crisp texture on top and a cooked but soft interior. Once the mug cake is done, allow it to set and cool for a couple minutes.

Mug Cake Recipes

Try making some of Ree’s other easy microwave mug cake recipes, including Chocolate Caramel Mug Cake, Very Berry Mug Cake, Peachy Breakfast Mug Cake and Cherry Chocolate Mug Cake. Master this Basic Mug Cakes recipe to make a vanilla mug cake and variations like strawberry shortcake, Funfetti, chocolate chip, triple chocolate and gluten-free blueberry cheesecake. For a fruity mug cake option, try making Pineapple Upside-Down Cake in a Mug and for more chocolate mug cake recipe ideas, try a comforting Hot Cocoa Mug Cake or these Chocolate-Marshmallow Mug Cakes.