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My 3 ingredient mug cake is the ultimate quick and easy chocolate fix. No flour needed, it’s super moist and fluffy and cooks up in under two minutes.
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Everyone needs a simple and fast chocolate fix for when the cravings strike, and this 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake is a savior.
It doesn’t need any flour or granulated sugar, and it literally takes two minutes to make. It’s super moist and fluffy and tastes even better with a little more melted chocolate on top. I like to use the microwave for it, but I’ve tested it in the oven too.
If you love mug cake recipes like us, try my almond flour mug cake, muffin in a mug, brownie in a mug, and protein mug cake next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“This was by far the easiest and best tasting mug cake I’ve had and it’s gluten free.” – MJ
Ingredients needed
- Egg. The egg provides the fluffy texture of the cake and gives it structure. Use a room-temperature egg.
- Chocolate. While any chocolate works, I prefer dark or semi-sweet chocolate for the extra richness. Also, try to use a chopped chocolate bar versus chocolate chips because bars melt so much better.
- Butter. Unsalted, please. I tested this with coconut oil and margarine and it did NOT work, so please do not use those.
How to make a 3-ingredient mug cake
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1 – Prep. Combine the melted chocolate, melted butter, and egg in a bowl. Whisk until combined.
Step 2- Microwave. Transfer the batter into a mug and microwave for one minute.
Step 3- Cool for 30 seconds before enjoying.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Beat the eggs until foamy. Many mug cake recipes tell you to whisk the eggs with the melted chocolate. However, beating the eggs until foamy is always a better idea as it results in an airy and fluffy cake. I find this differentiates between a super moist mug cake and a dry one.
- Eat immediately. This is the kind of dessert that you make right there and then. The longer it sits, the less moist it will remain.
- Consider the mug size. The cooking time of mug cakes may vary depending on the type of mug you are using. The cake cooks faster and more evenly in shallow and wide mugs.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Once the mug cake batter has been made, transfer it into an oven-safe ramekin and bake for 8-9 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out ‘just clean.’
I don’t recommend keeping the cake to enjoy later or making it in advance. It just loses it’s moist and rich texture.
More minimal ingredient treats
- 3 ingredient cookies
- 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies
- 3 ingredient fudge
- 2 ingredient fudge
- Or any of my desserts with few ingredients
If you tried this 3 Ingredient Mug Cake recipe or any other recipe on my website, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
3 Ingredient Mug Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chocolate chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate and butter and melt in 15-second increments until melted.
- Add the egg to a bowl and whisk until frothy. Fold in the melted chocolate mixture.
- Distribute the cake batter into a mug and microwave it for 60 seconds. If the mug cake is still too wet on top, microwave in 10-second increments until set.
- Remove the mug cake from the microwave and let it sit for a minute before enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published August 2015, updated and republished March 2025.
On behalf of all the volume eaters (me me me!) out there, who can’t stop at just one piece of delicious cake, I thank you! I’ve been wanting to develop a recipe for a chocolate mug cake and honestly didn’t even know where to start. Thankfully you did all the work for me, so I can enjoy this thing while binge watching Grace and Frankie on the ‘Flix. Bravo, Arman! I say bravo!
This comment deserves a post in itself. Thanks Julia. Let’s toast to the ‘flix now. (My room mate is watching Gilmore Girls….vom)
You know my thoughts. I only have positive things to say about you and your amazing recipes – even if I cannot eat more than 1/2, I still think they’re genius!
🙂 Thanks Gigi 🙂
I love zucchini, and I love chocolate, so this dessert is for me!
😀 Let’s call it the Joanne 😀
Ah the blender…. I am trying to decide what kitchen gadgets I need to buy here (we have one week left before moving from a hotel apartment to our rental house) and I think a blender will have to be one of them. I am hoping a blender will double up as a food processor…maybe! Others on my shopping list include a filter coffee machine and a slow cooker!
Loving the simplicity of your recipe! 🙂
YES! Trust me, if you get a good one, it can pass as a food processor too! 😀
Yum cocoa eggs! It’s probably a delicacy in some country. My favorite way to use zucchini is pan fried and dipped in some sort of creamy sauce. The most under appreciated kitchen appliance is the broiler. It’s amazing for melting cheese on top of things.
That sounds delicious!
My mom was just bragging about all the mug cakes she’s been making lately and now I’m seeing them everywhere online. You’d think something this easy is something I would’ve done by now, but I’ve still never made a mug cake!
Kitchen gadget? Ummm, how ’bout a corkscrew? Can you think of another kitchen item that can make people so happy?
You need to try it! In fact, I’ve got a whole week planned…just for you.
Of course you’d think a corkscrew :p
YUMM!!! Zucchini is the best in baked goods. It gives the best texture. And makes me feel good I am getting veggies. So then I can eat more cake 🙂
Definitely! Thanks Shannon 🙂
Another amazing microwavable treat from the Big Man!! This looks so tasty and I can’t wait to get home from school and make it 🙂 xoxo
Thanks so much, Whitney! 🙂
I was hoping for eggy pieces of cocoa, so I guess I’ll mash by hand while I whip my hair back and fourth. I loled at this post as I do with all of them. You’re a gem.
Sometimes a blender or food processor really makes the recipe! I’m currently drooling over everything I see in this post. I’ll take the fritters, frittata, and finish it off with your chocolate cake 🙂
Thanks so much, Michele! 🙂
Dear Arman, I cannot believe how soft and moist this cake looks. Admittedly, I do not own a microwave, but love the single size portions and how easy this recipe is, so I will be making the oven version. Have a wonderful day my friend, Catherine
Thanks Catherine! 🙂
Oh oh oh–I love zucchini noodles, hands down! But I’ve been getting bored with them, so I’ll have to try these recipes!
An underrated kitchen gadget is a pair of chopsticks! You can scramble eggs with them, eat anything with them, and stir with them!
That’s so true! Love chopsticks! My sister is so uncoordinated with them!
Yessss finally a recipe that I think I could use my Nutribullet for and not a food processor. I’m always looking for easy single-serving desserts considering I’m incapable of going to bed without dessert.
😀 you and me both. I’ve polished off many a Ben and Jerry’s 😀