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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.

overhead photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake with ice cream on top

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Half Baked Harvest At Home

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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.

overhead prep photo of egg in mug before baking

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.

overhead prep photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake before baking

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”.

overhead photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake without ice cream

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.

overhead close up photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake with ice cream

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.

overhead photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake with ice cream

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.

overhead photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake with spoon showing the inside of the cake

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:

Lastly, if you make this 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake

5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake | halfbakedharvest.com
3.81 from 1549 votes
1 large mug
calories 1080kcal
Prep3 minutes
Cook2 minutes
Total5 minutes
Enjoy this personal-sized cake warm, right out of the microwave, with a scoop of ice cream.
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Ingredients 

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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 1080kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

overhead horizontal photo of 5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake

Meet Tieghan Gerard

I'm Tieghan, the recipes you'll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!

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3.81 from 1549 votes (1,471 ratings without comment)

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331 Comments

  1. Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says:

    IT’S HEALTHY BECAUSE IT’S FRIDAY…. said everyone looking at this crazy delicious mug cake! love it T

  2. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says:

    Your photos on your “bad” day are still wayyy better than mine on a good day! 😉 And L-O-V-I-N-G this mug cake, perfect for a girl that gets random bouts of chocolate cravings at odd hours of the night. (Ahem–me)

    P.S You changed your site!

  3. Jessica | Excuse my fork says:

    I’ve been craving chocolate all week and this is going to be the perfect ending to my night! So much better than buying the frozen kind.

  4. Sarah from Soymilk + Honey says:

    Yum! I love this. Lovely new site design too!

  5. Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says:

    LOOOOOVE this single serve cake- it ain’t just for single ladies! Looks amazing! Also so glad the website loads more quickly! I stopped leaving comments because it took so long!

  6. Chelsea (@TheWholeBite) says:

    Well this is just adorable! So quick and simple and it looks so delicious. Hope everything keeps moving along and that you can get back to your own kitchen soon!

  7. The Merchant Baker says:

    I was skeptical of mug cakes until I tried one that was delicious! This looks like it could definitely be part of that club…Your photos make me want one right now, so I think you achieved your goal…even if you had to run out with just a few pretty dishes and a piece of parchment…love the mug!

  8. Stephanie @ A Magpie in the Sky says:

    ohhh Tieghan. We literally just got rid of our microwave, I wonder if I could bake it, not so quick but I really want to make it!

  9. Amanda Ricci says:

    That’s great idea! Just in time for the weekend!

  10. The Blonde Chef says:

    Mmk I know you said these photos aren’t your favorite, but honestly I love them! And I’ve never tried a mug-cake (mostly because of all of the Pinterest fails I’ve heard about). But obviously I have been missing out! This looks so decadent!

  11. Mimi says:

    Argh! Never mind! I see it! User error on this one! Haha!

  12. bakerbynature says:

    This is exactly what my Friday needs, T! All the gooey chocolate… in 5 minutes?! YES. Have a great weekend!

  13. Mimi says:

    I cannot pin this on Pinterest. Are you not associated with Pinterest any more?

  14. Kylie @ immaeatthat says:

    Oh chocolaty goodness! Perfect for a Friday night in!!<3

  15. Jess Knight says:

    I totally agree with your stance on mug cakes…why not just make a big one! But then there are times when you just need something quick that’ll fill that craving. Love this, and your pictures are beautiful!