Mocha Mug Cake

Mocha Mug Cake. A quick and delicious chocolate mug cake with just the right hit of coffee to add a little depth to the flavor. This mug cake is perfect for when you need to quickly whip up a sweet treat!

Mug cake recipes have always been hit or miss for me. I went through a phase several years back where I’d obsess over finding the perfect mug cake recipe, only to realize that a mug cake will never replace a truly amazing baked chocolate cake. But that’s not a bad thing.

This mocha mug cake can stand on its own for exactly what it is – a coffee and chocolate-infused dessert that’s ridiculously quick to make (like, who can complain about a cake you can make in five minutes or less?) and still tastes great!

It may not replace an old-school coffee and chocolate cake, but you’ll probably find yourself opting for it more often.

Jump to:

• What is a mug cake?
• Ingredients
• How to make mocha mug cake?
• Mug cake tips and tricks
• Variation ideas
• Gluten-free Mocha Mug Cake substitutions
• More mug cake recipes
• Helpful tools
• 📖 Recipe

What is a mug cake?

A mug cake is very much what it sounds like: a cake made in a mug. Unlike a traditional mocha cake, mug cakes are “baked” in the microwave, meaning they can be ready in a matter of minutes.

Can you make mug cake in a bowl

Absolutely. You can make a mug cake using any sort of microwave-safe dish that fits into your microwave – a large ramekin is another option. A mug is an easy solution as the shape makes it easy to eat from as well. Bowls work great too! (Plates tend to not work as well.)

Ingredients

One of my favorite things about any quick mug cake is how little is needed to make it, and how most ingredients are pantry staples:

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Instant espresso powder (instant coffee is also fine)
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate chips
• Whipped cream and other toppings (optional)

How to make mocha mug cake?

Start by combining flour, sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, baking and salt in a microwave safe mug (12 oz is a good size to work with!). A fork or a knife will be easier to stir with than a spatula or wooden spoon due to the size of the mug. Add the milk, oil, vanilla extract, and stir until you make a smooth batter. Add the chocolate chips and mix in (but try to avoid pushing them all into the bottom of the mug).

Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean – if 1 minute and 15 seconds isn’t enough, blast in 10 second increments so as to not overcook your mocha mug cake. Overcooked mug cake is basically a brick stuck in your mug.

Let cool for 2 minutes, and then top with your whipped cream (or ice cream).

Mug cake tips and tricks

Mug cakes are, generally-speaking, a very beginner-friendly cake. Here a few tips to make sure you get the best mocha mug cake every time!

If your mug cakes have a tendency to dry out, or get burnt-tops: add a teaspoon (or two, depending how powerful your microwave is) of water to the very top of the mug before putting it into the microwave. It’ll evaporate and leave a lovely moist texture behind!

Don’t overfill your mug. You may be tempting to fill your mug right to the rim with that lovely chocolate-y batter, but resist. It won’t look ooey gooey and gorgeous at the end. It’ll just be a mess in your microwave.

Underbaking is better than overbaking. You can always add 5 more seconds to the microwave timer, but you can never undo an over-baked mug cake.

Mug cakes don’t keep well. Enjoy them as soon as they’re ready to eat.

Variation ideas

Swap out the whipped cream for powdered sugar

Opt for a dusting of powdering sugar instead of that dollop of whipped cream. This is great for those of you that want a sweeter mug cake. Or, do what I do…opt for both. #yolo

Ice cream is for champions

Ice cream, of just about any flavor, has always been an excellent addition to mug cake. It gives you that wonderful hot and cold contrast, while also bringing the creaminess that mug cakes lack.

More toppings

Add some crunch with toasted nuts, or crushed granola. Alternatively, sprinkle on some brown sugar and a touch of espresso powder for a more mature palette. Heck, go indulgent, drizzle (/pour) on some melted chocolate or a caramel sauce (both work pretty well!).

All of the above

Yolo, bestie. Yolo. (You only live once.)

Gluten-free Mocha Mug Cake substitutions

If you want to convert this into a gluten-free mug cake, this can be done by swapping out the all-purpose flour for the same amount of gluten-free flour. Please also make sure you are using the gluten-free versions of the other ingredients as some brands do allow gluten to creep into ingredients that are traditionally gluten-free (vanilla extract, for example).

More mug cake recipes

Not feeling a mocha mug cake but still want a quick cake recipe? I gotchu.

• Honey Mug Cake
• Chocolate Mug Cake
• Strawberry Shortcake Mug Cake

Helpful tools

The link below is an affiliate link. This means that if you choose to purchase using it, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). These small commissions help keep Chocolates & Chai going. Thank you.

You don’t need any special equipment to make a mug cake. But ideally you should have a lovely microwave-safe mug.

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And that’s it for today, bestie. What do think? Will you be whipping up a mocha mug cake the next time you have 5 free minutes and a hankering for cake? Let me know in the comments below.

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📖 Recipe