This simple, 5 minute chocolate mug cake is moist, rich, indulgent and foolproof - and SO good that it has amassed over 6M views on TikTok and Instagram!
I believe it is the BEST chocolate mug cake I have ever tried, and luckily thousands of people agree with me. So while I initially didn't write a blog post on this recipe, all the love it has received has convinced me it it is time.
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WHAT MAKES THIS THE BEST CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE?
There are many chocolate mug cake recipes on the internet, but many of them don't turn out exactly right: they can be too muddy and dense, too dry, too rubbery, too moist, too sweet, and so on and so forth.
In comes this incredible recipe to save the day!! This chocolate mug cake solves all these problems and is the perfect answer to your late night chocolate cravings. You don't have to take my word for it - here are just a few of the many comments I got on this recipe:
I made it and it's DELICIOUS! It's the best mug cake!
Iris
This was the only mug cake recipe I've found that isn't leathery and oily - it's sooo moist and spongy and delicious!
Dhaya
I tried so many mug recipes and this one was the best one I've ever tried!
Noussa
SO GOOD!!! I've tried so many microwave recipes and they all turned out horrible but this was great! Definitely recommend
I've tried a lot of mug cake recipes and this is the best by far!
Julia
100000/10 it was sooo good! I added chocolate and raspberry on top
Rocky
Wow, I just made this and it LEGIT tasted like a fresh chocolate cake out of the oven!! it is so good. I finally found my favorite mug cake
B
Not to mention, this recipe is so quick and easy that there's really no reason not to give it a try, really.
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
Before I get into the quick and simple recipe, let me share my best tips to get this mug cake right:
- Choose the right kind of mug. It should be microwave safe, and have around 10-12oz of capacity (ideally 12). The cake won't take up the full mug, but can rise quite a bit in the microwave, and using a big enough mug will help ensure the batter does not spill and the cake doesn't "explode"
- Start with the wet ingredients. When you put the wet ingredients into the mug first, it is easier to mix everything together. Starting with dry ingredients sometimes results in clumps of flour in the bottom corners of the mug which are hard to mix in (note that I forgot to do this in the video below, but do as I say, not as I do!)
- Measure accurately. Instead of using random spoons, use proper measuring spoons to get the quantities right. For flour, make sure to first fluff it up and then add to the spoon, swiping off any excess
- Sift the dry ingredients. Since we are pretty much dumping everything into the mug, I recommend sifting the dry ingredients to minimize any lumps
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference - you can do anywhere from 1.5 to 3 tablespoon of sugar
- "Bake" for the right amount of time. For me, this cake takes about 80s in a 12oz glass mug, but the time can range from 60-90s. See the section below for more detail
HOW TO MAKE THE TIKTOK VIRAL CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
Check out this simple video in which I demonstrate how to make this mug cake:
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HOW TO KNOW WHEN A MUG CAKE IS DONE?
With microwave cakes, it is really hard to give a precise amount of time for cooking, since different microwaves have different power settings, and the time also depends on how large or wide your mug is.
This cake can take anywhere between 60-90s, and you have to judge whether it looks based on how the cake looks. When it is done, it should be soft and moist, but not wet on the top, and kind of spongy if you press on it. It will continue to cook as it cools down, so you don't want to cook it until it is completely dry.
You can start checking the cake around the 60s mark, but avoid giving long breaks between microwaving as that can cause the cake to sink. If you have no idea where to start, 80 seconds is a good place to start.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Unfortunately, no, as that is the main chocolate component in this mug cake.
You should use a microwave safe mug that is between 10-12oz, and ideally not too wide or too narrow.
This happens if the dry ingredients aren't well combined. To avoid this, first add the wet ingredients to the cup, then sift in the wet ingredients and mix until no streaks of flour remain.
Yes, you can reduce the sugar to as low as 1.5 tbsp.
This is likely because your mug is too small, or you added too much baking powder. Measure accurately and make sure your mug is at least 10oz in volume.
A rubbery mug cake is indicative of being overcooked, or incorrect measurements. Please be precise with the measurements and stop cooking once the cake is soft but not wet on the top.
MORE MUG CAKE RECIPES
After the warm response to this mug cake, I have turned midnight mug cakes into a series! Check out the rest of them, and let me know what I should turn into a mug cake next:
Print5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE RECIPE
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1
Description
This simple, 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake is almost as good as the real thing: moist, rich, decadent, and so simple to make!
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp milk
- 1.5 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ⅓ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2-3 tablespoon milk chocolate chips
- Optional: Nutella to serve
Instructions
- To a 10-12oz microwave safe mug, add the milk and oil, and use a fork to mix well
- Add the sugar and mix it in
- Sift in the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt), and gently stir with the same fork. Scrape the fork along the edges to ensure everything is well combined
- Add in the chocolate chips and stir
- Clean the edges of the mug if needed, and microwave for about 60-90s
- Spread on some Nutella and serve!
Notes
- To measure flour accurately, first fluff it up with a fork and then add to the tablespoon measure, wiping off any flour that goes above the rim of the spoon
- Read all the tips above to get the mug cake perfect
- Prep Time: 4 min
- Cook Time: 1 min
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Zee says
The number of times I have made and devoured this cake.... we shall not speak of it
Nav says
Can we store this for a day or two? does it remain moist after 24hrs. i want to make 10 of these for office colleagues so wondered if they will remain moist!!!
Rohma says
Thank you Zoha for another recipe in which you have poured your heart and soul!
I was in the mood for a quick dessert all for myself and I knew Zoha will have the recipe. I’ve made a number of your recipes by now so I feel a sense of comfort going to your website.
This mug cake recipe was quite good. Easy to put together and with impeccable instructions.
Thank you Zoha! You are truly nourishing your brand. Mashallah. May you continue to excel. Ameen.
Zoha says
You are so wonderful, Rohma. Thank you so very much! <3
Maren says
Most mug cakes just don’t taste or feel like real cake. This one does! Excellent flavor and texture.
Zoha says
WUHU!!! Glad you like it!
Najila Khan says
Amazing!
Zoha says
Thank you so much!
Griffin says
Really good, just my dog got into it and ate it all, so he died. NOT DOG SAFE
Mahnoor H Sheikh says
Loved this recipe! I tried out a slightly healthier (sugar-free) version of this with stevia and 70% dark chocolate and it turned out just as good!
Love your recipes, Zoha! Highly recommended 🩷🩷
Zoha says
Thank you so much for sharing, Mahnoor!!
Isra Akhter says
I was in the mood for a super quick chocolate cake and this did not disappoint!
Zoha says
wuhu!!
Bibi says
Bless you Zoha.
My son and I were both craving something sweet and instead of going out to the store to get a cake like he suggested, I thought we could try this recipe together and it was so easy to make! We just topped it up with some vanilla ice cream. It really hit the spot (and saved me some $$) Thank you!!
Zoha says
YAY thank you so much!!! Really glad it hit the spot for you and your son 🙂
Ayesha says
oh i wish i had all the skills Zoha has, Mashallah you're so talented. May Allah SWT provide you all the blessings you deserve. Keep soaring high and thanks so much for all these yum recipes. As an O'level student dreaming to get an A* in Biology, it would mean the world to me if you could give me a few tips.(Oh, look, Zoha baji always has something i need) Still, thanks a lot. May you get all the success in the entire world! Ameen! XO:)
Zoha says
Thank you so so much for your kind words! You are a sweetheart. And the main tip is to focus on understanding! Don't just memorize 🙂
June before may says
How many calories in one mug ?
Zoha says
No calorie counting here haha
Tania says
This cake satisfied my cravings ✨️🫡
Zoha says
Doing it's job 😀
Mariam says
Best Mug Cake recipe I've ever tried! made it numerous times adding all kinds of chocolate I have available, even tried with marshmallow also terrific! 10/10
Zoha says
YAY thank you!
Amanda says
Sorry to be one of those annoying people but could I make this in the oven we don’t own a microwave 😭
Zoha says
Aw so sorry but I have only tested this recipe for the microwave!
Umaima Lakhani says
its my favorite mug cake recipe, so yummy 🤤