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Because it’s Friday and we need our fix…5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake. You don’t need to be a skilled baker to bake up these deliciously EASY chocolate mug cakes. This deep-dish style cake in a mug requires just one coffee mug, simple pantry staple ingredients, and takes almost no effort or time to make. There are hints of vanilla, swirls of melted chocolate, and every bite is truly delicious. Enjoy this personal-sized cake warm, right out of the microwave, with a scoop of ice cream.

The entire world is baking right now, it’s impressive and exciting. I love so much that you all are making the best of this time at home…and baking up a storm. I’ve said it before, but it’s so fun to see all the HBH recipes being made. And the desserts are without a doubt the most popular.
But the thing that I’ve come to realize? Some of us don’t need a strawberry cobbler that serves eight people. Or a three-layer cake that feeds a twenty-person birthday party. Or two dozen homemade Somoas cookies. Nope, most of us don’t need all those servings. Though I personally love a little leftover dessert…you know for late-night snacking and TV watching.
Sometimes, like on Friday or Saturday night, we just need a rich, heavy on the chocolate, warm, and melty piece of chocolate cake…with a scoop of ice cream too.

Yes, sometimes that is just what we all need most.
Enter these cute little warm chocolate-filled mug cakes. They require no oven and instead are baked in the microwave and ready in just about five minutes.
Truth is, I’m not usually someone who uses the microwave. In fact, for many years I actually didn’t have a microwave in my house. I don’t often find many uses for it, but sometimes it’s a handy kitchen appliance. And you know something? It does have the ability to create a delicious chocolate mug cake within just 5 minute’s time. If there was ever a reason to own a microwave, this cake recipe is it.

The quick details.
This cake comes together in five minutes tops, so the details are pretty darn quick.
Start with your wet ingredients. I like to use coconut oil as the oil for these cakes. Melt it in the microwave in the mug you plan to “bake” your cake in. Once melted, whisk in a single egg, a few tablespoons of milk, a splash of vanilla, and honey…to sweeten things up. I personally like to use honey as my sweetener as I’ve found it creates a perfectly soft, tender, and moist cake. But maple syrup or granulated sugar work well too.
Once the wet ingredients are combined. Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. At this point, the cake is almost ready for “baking”.

But I have a couple secrets.
First, coffee. Now, if you don’t enjoy coffee you can use an equal amount of water, but I will say that you really don’t taste the coffee. It only highlights the flavors of the chocolate and creates a slightly “gooey” cake. You want to swirl the coffee into the batter, not fully incorporating it. This is key and keeps the cake from drying out.
Second, chocolate chunks…and a generous helping too. The chunks are a must and act as the “molten” layer to these mug cakes. You will add them to the center of the batter. As the cake bakes, the chocolate sinks in, melting as it sinks. It leaves you with a puddle of warm melted chocolate at the bottom of your cake. With every bite, a little of that melted chocolate is scooped up with the cake.
And it is delicious.

Key for success.
Eat this warm, right after cooking. This isn’t a cake you want to eat leftover, it’s meant as a quick chocolate fix. It should be eaten right away and preferably with ice cream on top.
Nothing is better than warm cake with vanilla ice cream. SO. GOOD.
I will say that that every microwave is different, so the cooking time is a little tricky. That said, I tested this on two different microwaves and found two minutes to be just the right amount of time. You may need to adjust slightly by fifteen seconds, give or take.

So with all that, have I convinced you that you need a chocolate mug cake in your life tonight?
This is the best afternoon pick me up…warm after dinner dessert…or late-night snack with a side of TV watching. Hey, don’t judge, this is life in quarantine. It’s weird, and the normal “rules” of life just don’t apply. So enjoy your cake…any time of day you like!
See you all tomorrow for another Cocktail Saturday.

Looking for other quick desserts? Bake these up!
Crinkle Top Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Blondies
Coconut Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
5 ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
watch the how to video:
5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake
Servings: 1 large mug
Calories Per Serving: 1080 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (or olive oil/canola oil)
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
- 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate chunks, very roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1. Melt the coconut oil in a (10-12 ounce) microwave-safe mug. Whisk in the egg, milk, vanilla, and honey until combined. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, stirring until just combined. 2. Spoon the coffee into the center of the batter and gently swirl it in. Do not fully incorporate the coffee. Place the chocolate chunks in the center of the batter. 3. Microwave on full power for 1 minute 45 second to 2 minutes (I always do 2 minutes). Dig your spoon deep into the cake to spoon up melted chocolate with every bite. Serve with ice cream. ENJOY.
Notes
To Oven Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 2 cup oven safe ramekin/mug or 2 muffin tins. Add the batter and bake 22-25 minutes.
Microwave: every microwave is very different, so results may vary slightly. I have a 1200 watt microwave and found 2 minutes to be the perfect cooking time. You may need to cook 1 minute 45 seconds or 2 minutes 15 seconds. Start with 2 minutes.
Coffee: if you prefer to not use coffee, use an equal amount of warm water.

This post was originally published on April 24, 2020
















Would this work with gluten free flour?
Hi Nan! I have not tried it, but I am sure it will work great! I would recommend cup4cup! I hope you love this! xTieghan
This was a fun recipe to do with the kids! When do you use the coconut oil? We put it in last.
Hi Marna! I put it in first! I am glad you liked this one! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this on a whim, and wow! I substitute oat milk and it came out just fine! Nice, fudgey texture and a perfectly portioned treat!
Thank you so much Taylor! xTieghan
I’m excited to try this but how is it only 180 calories with 3T of oil as the first ingredient?
Hi Jorden! I will look into this! Thank you! xTieghan
This looks delicious, but 3 tbsp coconut oil alone is ~350 calories, and is quite a lot of oil for a single serving, is this meant to be less?
Hi Maria,
The recipe is correct, it is 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi there, this looks delicious! Question: can you use avocado oil in this, and if so, what would the measurement be, still 3 tbs? Thank you!
Hi Patricia,
In place of the coconut oil I would use olive oil or canola oil. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
Could you use canola oil for coconut oil? I generally don’t have coconut oil.
That should work fine! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Thanks so much for the oven directions. I don’t own a microwave, so that was perfect! Love your recipes!
Thank you so much MiMi! xTieghan
I think this sounds great. Just wondering about the amount of coconut oil. 3 tablespoons seems like quite bit for one serving.
Well, I do need a chocolate fix, any day of the week..:)
Yes!! Thank you George! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan. What size mug did you use? I’m thinking that could account for cooking time variations. Thanks for your help!
Hi Megan! I used an average sized coffee mug. It has a wider mouth though. Please let me know if there is anything I can help with! xTieghan
Could you substitute something for the coconut oil? What about for the coffee?
Hi Michelle,
You can use olive oil or canola oil for the coconut oil and warm water for the coffee. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!
Definitely in my weekend plans. Looks amazing!!
Thank you so much Taylor! xTieghan
Yes please! Need to find a big mug ?xx
Love your Lebanese style chicken yesterday too!
Haha yes! I hope you love this one Kelly! xTieghan
3 Tablespoons of coconut oil? That seems like a lot for one serving! Is that supposed to read 3 teaspoons?
Hi Amy,
The recipe is correct, it is 3 tablespoons. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions!