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This easy chocolate chip mug cake is like the fluffiest, gooiest, warm chocolate chip cookie, but in a cup. So you can skip all of the bulk prep, batches of baking, and pile of dishes that usually comes with homemade cookies.

chocolate chip mug cake withe a scoop of ice cream
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Forget the mixer, forget the oven. That’s right, the whole cake is made in one mug and tossed in the microwave, and within minutes, you have the best mug cake. All that’s left to do is add a dollop of ice cream and curl up on the couch.

The only bad thing about this cake is how often you’re going to want it. 

Another irresistible dessert that only has a few ingredients and that comes together in minutes is our healthy edible cookie dough or edible brownie batter next. Grab a spoon whenever the craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Mug Cake Recipe

  • Satisfies the sweet tooth: The next time your sweet cravings hit, this tasty cake is a great recipe to have on hand. It’s a soft chocolate chip cookie in a single serving. The perfect size to take care of that sweet tooth.
  • Low carb: No need to abandon healthy eating for this tasty recipe. It’s low in net carbs. Remember, the scoop of vanilla ice cream is optional. This mini chocolate chip cake is delicious on its own!
  • Quick & Easy to Make: This easy treat takes just minutes (literally 2-3 minutes) to put together.
chocolate chip cake in a mug

Grab These Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients for this chocolate chip cookie mug cake recipe. Most are common pantry items and easy (and affordable) to find in grocery stores. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

chocolate chip mug cake ingredients on a countertop
  • Salted butter: You could use vegan butter or coconut oil if needed, but the butter adds a lot of flavor. Add a pinch of kosher salt to the recipe if you opt for unsalted butter.
  • Light brown sugar: You can also use coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option. In fact, brown sugar is a great coconut sugar substitute.
  • Egg: You’ll use one whole egg and it should be at room temperature before mixing.
  • Vanilla extract: A little bit goes a long way in adding extra flavor.
  • Milk: Use any regular or non-dairy milk (like almond milk or soy milk) you’d like.
  • All-purpose flour: Use gluten-free flour if needed. Our favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour is Bob’s Red mill 1:1 baking flour. 
  • Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent and makes the mug cake light and fluffy, puffing up to the top of the mug.
  • Mini chocolate chips: Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate chips and/or chopped chocolate. We’ve also used gluten free chocolate chips.
  • Vanilla ice cream: The best way to top off this mug cake is with a scoop of ice cream. Feel free to add extra toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or extra chocolate chips. (There are never exact amounts when it comes to toppings, so add as many as you’d like!)

How to Make Chocolate Chip Mug Cake

The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This chocolate chip mug cake recipe is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure it turns out every time.

VIDEO: Watch How to Make It

Use a medium to large microwave-safe coffee mug, spray the bottom of the mug with nonstick spray.

Add all of the wet ingredients, including the butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk to the mug. Use a small whisk or a fork to combine.

wet ingredients for chocolate chip cake in a coffee mug

Add the dry ingredients, including the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined and all of the lumps from the flour are gone.

Add 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and stir to combine.

chocolate chip mug cake batter in a coffee cup

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate on top of the cake batter.

chocolate chip cake batter in a coffee mug

Microwave the mug cake batter in the microwave-safe mug on high for 60-90 seconds, until the edges and top are set. See recipe notes for cook times and microwave watts. Try not to cook it too long or the cake can become too dense.

While the mug cake cooks in the microwave, prepare any toppings you’d like to add.

chocolate chip mug cake on a plate
taking a bite out of a chocolate chip mug cake

Recipe FAQs

Are mug cakes supposed to be gooey?

It depends on the recipe. Some mug cake recipes aim for a moist and slightly gooey texture, similar to a lava cake, while others may have a more cake-like consistency. Ultimately, it depends on the cooking time and the specific ingredients and ratios used in the recipe.

Can you bake a cake in a ceramic mug?

Yes, you can bake a cake in a ceramic mug. Ceramic mugs are suitable for baking individual-sized cakes like mug cakes. They can withstand the heat of the oven and provide a nice presentation for serving.

Why did my mug cake turn out rubbery?

This could be due to a few factors. Some reasons might include: overcooking, an improper ratio of ingredients, over-mixing, or a lack of leavening ingredients like baking powder or baking soda. Be sure to check the cook times for your microwave wattage.

Are microwave mug cakes safe?

As long as you leave them in the microwave long enough for the flour and egg to cook through completely, microwave mug cake recipes are completely safe to consume

Storing & Freezing Tips

Mug cakes can be left out on the counter for 24 hours, but be sure to cover them in plastic wrap to prevent drying out. If you’d like to refrigerate them, transfer the leftover mug cake to an airtight container for up to 3 days

Freezing mug cakes is a convenient way to store them for future enjoyment or to make them ahead of time for later use. Allow the mug cake to cool completely and place it in a freezer-safe container.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, you can heat it in the microwave for a short period if you prefer to enjoy it warm

chocolate chip mug cake with ice cream

If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

More Chocolate Desserts

Similar to a mug cake, this chocolate microwave bread pudding cooks the custard in the microwave in just 2 minutes. It’s so gooey in the middle and bursting with chocolate.  

If you’re looking to feed a crowd and need more than single-serving desserts, we have plenty of suggestions. We can’t recommend desserts without mentioning our famous chocolate chip pudding cookies

Searching for paleo-friendly desserts? Try these paleo brownies and coconut flour chocolate chip cookies. This easy chocolate paleo pecan pie is made with almond flour and coconut flour. No one will know it’s completely free of grains. You will seriously want to eat the whole thing in one sitting

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3 from 2 votes

Chocolate Chip Mug Cake

Prep: 4 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 5 minutes
This easy chocolate chip mug cake is like the fluffiest, gooiest, warm chocolate chip cookie, but in a cup. So you can skip all of the bulk prep, batches of baking, and pile of dishes that usually comes with homemade cookies. Forget the mixer, forget the oven.

Save this Recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send it directly to you.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Servings: 1 cake

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons salted butter or vegan butter melted and slightly cooled (Note 1)
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar packed (Note 2)
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 Tablespoons milk any kind
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour gluten-free if needed (Note 3)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2-3 Tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and/or chopped chocolate
  • Vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions 

  • Spray a medium to large microwave-safe coffee mug with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • Add all of the wet ingredients, including the butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk to the mug and use a small whisk or a fork to combine.
  • Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and stir until just combined and all of the lumps from the flour are gone. Add 2 Tablespoons of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and stir to combine. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate on top of the cake batter.
  • Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, until the edges and top are set. See recipe notes for cook times and microwave watts. Try not to cook it too long or the cake can become too dense.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Note 1. Salted Butter. You can also use unsalted. You could use vegan butter or coconut oil if needed, but the butter adds a lot of flavor. Add a pinch of kosher salt to the recipe if you opt for unsalted butter.
Note 2. Brown Sugar. You can also use coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option. In fact, brown sugar is a great coconut sugar substitute.
Note 3. Gluten-Free Flour. We tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 flour and it turned out exactly the same.
Dairy-Free: use vegan butter (we like Myokos) and plant-based milk.
Microwave Watt Time Estimates: 700W – 1min 40sec / 800W – 1min 30sec / 900W – 1min 20sec / 1000W – 1min 10sec

Video

Equipment

  • 1 Mug

Nutrition

Serving: 1mug | Calories: 721kcal | Carbohydrates: 62.4g | Protein: 13.4g | Fat: 47.7g | Cholesterol: 278.55mg | Sodium: 684.7mg | Fiber: 2.8g | Sugar: 36.4g | Vitamin A: 372IU | Vitamin C: 0mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Rating




1 Comment

  1. Trina says:

    1 star
    All I tasted was the egg.