This easy and simple chocolate mug cake recipe has no eggs and butter, but you’d never tell. It’s moist, fluffy and takes just 1 minute to make. Clocking in at less than 100 calories, it’s the EASIEST chocolate fix made with simple ingredients.
Everyone needs a chocolate fix, especially when we are spending more and more time at home.
This EASY chocolate mug cake is your answer. It was inspired after my recipe for this crazy chocolate cake recipe, but a single serving version.
No eggs.
No butter.
Zero milk.
Easily made sugar-free.
It uses pantry staple ingredients, and happens to be secretly healthy too!
1 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, this chocolate mug cake literally takes 1 minute to make.
No mixing bowls needed either, you can mix it all up in your mug or ramekin and simply microwave it.
I’ve also included instructions for how to make it in an oven too, because not everyone uses a microwave or has one.
It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, but you’d never tell.
The texture? It is light, fluffy and if you undercook it ever to slightly, it is moist too.
The taste? Sweet, rich and LOADED with chocolate flavor. Only slightly better with the addition of a few chocolate chips…
How to make a chocolate mug cake from scratch
The Ingredients
- All-purpose flour– Also known as plain flour. Be sure to sift it thoroughly if your flour has clumps.
- Sugar OR sugar substitute– To keep the calories super low and the mug cake sugar-free, opt for a sugar substitute (granulated). If you are fine with some sugar, any works- brown, white, coconut sugar etc.
- Cocoa Powder– To give the mug cake the chocolate flavor! Use a good quality cocoa powder, to really bring out the flavor.
- Baking soda– To give the mug cake some rise and texture!
- Salt– Brings out the sweetness, especially in cakes!
- Oil of choice– For the rich texture of the cake. Oil also replaces the need for any butter or margarine.
- White vinegar– Acts as a leavening agent, especially when mixed
- Vanilla extract– A must for any baked good or cake!
- Water– Replaces the need for any milk or other liquids.
- Espresso powder– Enhances the chocolate flavor! This is optional and can be omitted.
- Chocolate Chips– Optional, but highly recommended for an even greater chocolate flavor!
The Instructions
Making this mug cake is incredibly easy and can be in either in the microwave or in the oven
- Microwave– In a microwave-safe bowl, ramekin or mug, combine your dry ingredients and mix well. Add your wet ingredients and mix well, until a smooth batter remains. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the batter has been cooked. Remove from the microwave and let stand for 2 minutes, before enjoying.
- Oven– Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an oven-safe ramekin or small baking dish (4 or 6 inches). Follow the microwave instructions, but bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until a skewer comes out ‘just’ clean. Remove from the oven and let sit for a minute, before enjoying.
Possible Variations
Looking for other ways to prepare this chocolate mug cake? Here are some suggestions
Keto chocolate Mug Cake
- Make this keto chocolate mug cake or protein chocolate brownie instead.
Fat Free Chocolate Mug Cake
- Replace the oil with unsweetened applesauce or mashed overripe banana.
- Be sure your cocoa powder is fat-reduced (dutch processed).
Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake
- Add an extra 2 tablespoons of water
- Reduce the cooking time until the tops are ‘just’ done
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips directly into the center of the mug cake, not on top
Dark Chocolate Mug Cake
- Replace the cocoa powder with dark cocoa powder
- Break up a square of dark chocolate (70% or higher) and fold through the batter
Flourless Chocolate Mug Cake
- Don’t replace the flour with something else- Make this 4 ingredient flourless mug cake instead
Mug Cake Tips
- Be sure to grease your mug or ramekin very well, to avoid the mug cake sticking to it.
- If possible, use a bigger than necessary ramekin or mug, to avoid any over-spilling
- Be sure to sift your flour, if it is clumpy. We don’t want pockets of flour in the mug cake.
- Remember, microwave models differ. I’d recommend microwaving your mug cake in 30-second spurts. If you are unsure, microwave the cake at half-power (wattage). It will take longer, but it will be foolproof.
Can I prepare the mug cake in advance?
Mug cakes should always be made fresh. Avoid preparing the batter beforehand, or it will sink and be difficult to microwave/bake correctly.
Do not freeze the mug cake.
More delicious and healthy mug cakes
100 Calorie Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour gluten-free, if necessary
- 2 tablespoon granulated sweetener of choice sugar or sugar substitute
- 2 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder optional
- 1 teaspoon oil of choice vegetable, sunflower, coconut, etc.
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar scant 1/2 teaspoon * See notes
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1-2 tablespoon chocolate chips of choice optional
Instructions
- Grease a microwave-safe bowl or ramekin generously with cooking spray.
- Add your dry ingredients and mix well. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. If using chocolate chips, fold them through.
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until done. Remove from the microwave and let sit for 30 seconds, before enjoying.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an oven-safe dish or ramekin (4-6 inches).
- Add your dry ingredients and mix well. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. If using chocolate chips, fold them through.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cake looks done. Remove from the oven and let sit for 30 seconds, before enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
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Will this work with Apple cider vinegar?
I don’t see why not!
Omg I tried it this morning and it was so good!! I’m usually really skeptical when it comes to mug cakes…but THIS was definitely worth making AND eating!! If your in the mood for chocolate cake and want a quick chocolate fix, I recommend making this!! Guilt free and tastes so good. (I put some expresso in as well) I’d definitely make this again.
You are the best, Alima- Thank you for the feedback!
This recipe was delish! I didn’t cook it all the way through so there was a little of the mixture left gooey, was soft and chocolatey and one of the best mug cakes I’ve tried. Thank you!
😀 Fabulous! Thanks for the feedback
This. Was. Delicious.
Really great recipe! I have not had a good mug cake in a long time so I was very excited to see it come out so fluffy. Also great not using so much oil and using the magic of vinegar and bicarbonate!
Do I have to add vinegar?
Yes, or lemon juice.
OMG! This is to die for! I mixed chocolate chips in the middle, and sprinkled some on top. It was moist and had gooey chocolate in the center. Yum! Thanks, Arman!
I have tried so many recipes to find the perfect chocolate mug cake and OH MY GOD here it is. By far the best one I have made! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😀 You are so welcome!
Turned out perfect. I am the type to always want a “little something” after dinner without breaking the calorie bank. I love that this is a quick, single serving recipe. I used a sugar sub and apple cider vinegar, 1 min in the microwave and sprinkled a few chocolate chips on. Might undercook it a little next time for some gooeyness, but it wasn’t dry at all. Just the recipe I needed!
super good! i tried your 4 ingredient one with bananas it was super good! and so was this one! i cooked it a little too long so it was crunchy but thats on me i just put a bit of ice cream on top and it was amazing! the cake isn’t too sweet but its super chocolaty and full of amazing flavor totally recommend
it was…AMAZING?? I have tried so many mug cakes and they have all had a weird texture or whatever, but this one is fluffy heavenly goodness, and it’s only 100 calories!! would absolutely make again.
Thank you so much 🙂
I have tried a few mug cake recipes but this one is by far the best! And it doesn’t even have any milk eggs or butter, I will definitely make this again
Not misleading at all, I used a sugar substitute.
Is it still 100 calories with the chocolate drops? Or do those add extra calories?
Extra 🙂
Yummy! I added only 1 TBS of sugar and 1/2 TBS mini chocolate chips. I’m wondering if you meant to put 2 teaspoons of sugar instead of 2 tablespoons as this was plenty sweet with 1 TBS and would make more sense for calories.
Hi Avi! It would depend on the brand of granulated sweetener you use 🙂 You can always adjust it to taste 🙂