One Minute Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

This One Minute Hot Chocolate Mug Cake is the perfect recipe for a midnight or even mid afternoon craving! It is a great way to make a quick dessert/cake for chocolate lovers or for anyone with a sweet tooth. It is the easiest recipe ever and the quantity can be doubled if you want to make it a sharing dessert. The best part? This great recipe is ready to eat in 60 seconds. Maybe 90 if you have a lower watt microwave! It is also perfect for those who love small portions or fancy a quick snack!

Here are some other easy dessert recipes that I like to make when a craving hits; Best Nutella Pizza with Oreos - Easy Dessert Pizza, 2 Minute Microwave Cookie Dough or 3 Minute Sharing Microwave Brownies.

One Minute Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

In my experience, Chocolate Mug Cake recipes can be boring, dry and tasteless but this one is not like the others!

It is (dare I say it), moist, full of chocolate flavor and is absolutely delicious.

Like most people, I have been making Mug Cakes for many years but I just couldn’t get on with them. If I am going to have a cake, it had to be good. I mean, who wants dry cake?

Why we love it

I had had some really bad ones previously and I wanted one that really hit the spot and curbed that 12pm chocolate craving! This one does just that. Other reasons we love it:

• There isn't much work required!  Always a winner in my book.
• It is super quick to make making this recipe a college student favourite.
• It is a delicious sweet treat that can be enjoyed all year round but is particular enjoyable during the holiday season.

ingredients for hot chocolate mug cake

This Hot chocolate mug cake recipe is made with simple ingredients. Here is what you need:

Cocoa Powder

Or your favourite Hot Chocolate Powder/favorite hot cocoa mix - I like Cadbury’s or Whittards.

Sugar

Caster, Granulated Sugar,Light Brown Sugar or Dark Brown Sugar

Salt

Just a pinch to bring it all together and balance flavours.

Flour and Rising Agent

Plain Flour aka All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder and some Bicarbonate of Soda.

Egg

1 Egg helps to bind the ingredients together as well as adding some lift.

Oil

Any flavourless oil such as Vegetable Oil, Sunflower Oil or a light Olive Oil or use melted Butter.

Milk

Whole Milk, Skimmed or Plant Based. Any Milk will work!

Coffee

To help enhance the flavour of the Chocolate.

Vanilla Extract

A good quality Vanilla Extract adds delicious flavour.

How to make a Chocolate Mug Cake

Full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Spray a microwave-safe mug with cooking oil or lightly grease it with oil. In my experience this step isn't essential but just in case!

Start by combining all of the dry ingredients in a large mug - Plain Flour, Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Baking Powder, Bicarbonate of Soda, Salt, Coffee.

Stir to combine. 

Add Egg, Milk, Oil and Vanilla and mix in.

Microwave for 60 - 90 seconds. (The time may vary and it does depend on the wattage of your microwave). 

You can also bake the cake in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes instead (check it is done by inserting a toothpick into the centre (it should come out clean). 

Variations

This Hot chocolate mug cake makes the perfect treat but here are some variations that you may like to try:

Oven Bake

If you prefer, you can bake this hot chocolate cake in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes instead (check it is done by inserting a toothpick into the centre - it should come out clean). 

Chocolate Chips

Add some Chocolate Chips in the Cake and on top.

Nuts

Stir in a tablespoon of Nuts for added crunch.

Peanut Butter/Almond Butter/Pistachio Butter/Tahini

 If you want to add some Nut Butter, skip the Oil and stir in Nut Butter in it’s place.  

Nutella Mug Cake

Add Nutella instead of Oil. I like to add half of the batter to the mug, then add the Nutella to the middle before topping with the rest of the batter.

Then I like to serve it with an additional drizzle of Nutella on top. 

Biscoff Mug Cake

Add Biscoff instead of Oil. I like to add it into the middle and serve with an additional drizzle.

Marshmallows

Serve with gooey Marshmallows or top with mini marshmallows.

Mint Chocolate

Stir in ¼ teaspoon of Mint Essence for a Minty flavour.

Citrus Flavours

Add the zest of ½ a Lemon, ½ a Lime or ½ an Orange for a Chocolate Orange Cake.

Sugar

You can use half the amount of Sugar if you prefer to make it slightly healthier.

Chai or Pumpkin Spices

Stir in ¼ teaspoon of Chai Spices or Pumpkin Spices for a warming taste and aroma.

Serving Suggestions 

This cake can be served plain or with any of your favorite toppings but you can also serve it with:

Cream

A squirt of whipped Cream

Chocolate

A drizzle of melted Chocolate, Chocolate Syrup, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Sauce, hot fudge sauce or a drizzle of Nutella.

Ice Cream

A scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream or Chocolate Ice Cream

Fruit

Strawberries, Bananas or any fruit you like

Frosting

Ready made frosting/Icing 

A Cuppa

Or simply serve it with a cup of Hot chocolate, Tea or Coffee

Top Tips and FAQs

Cooking Time

Different Microwaves have different cooking times as it depends on the wattage of the microwave.

Start with 60 seconds cooking time. Let it stand for a minute and if it hasn’t set, cook in 10 second intervals till it is done.

Mug

Use a microwave safe mug. The cake will rise so it needs to be large enough to allow for that. Also make sure that there is no metal on the mug! 

Mixing

Don't be tempted to over mix the cake ingredients. You need to mix just enough to combine.

Can it be made ahead?

This cake is best eaten a minute after it is cooked. 

Make Ahead Instructions

However if you do want to make it ahead, you can make the batter before hand and keep it in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

more chocolatey recipes you may enjoy:

Chocolate Tray Bake

Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fudgy Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Milk Cake

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! If you loved this recipe, please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes.