One of the BEST Chocolate Mug Cake Recipes out there. Made with a handful of ingredients in just 3 minutes and 100% gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free! This is a single-serving mug cake recipe will blow your mind!
Are you making “mug cakes” yet? I first saw this idea on Pinterest (of course right?) a couple of years ago and have tried my hand at it a bunch of times. Most of the recipes I’ve seen are based on regular flour so I set out to make a couple of grain-free versions and today I am going to share my chocolate mug cake recipe with you.
It’s gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly and made with just a handful of real-food ingredients!
GET EXCITED (and be sure to read the comments – this is a reader fav!)
WHAT IS A MUG CAKE?
Mug cakes, also called microwave cake, are a single-serving dessert made with a few ingredients. You mix it up and pour into a mug, pop it in the microwave and a few minutes later, you have dessert!
CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE INGREDIENTS
- Blanched Almond Flour
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Sea Salt
- pure Maple Syrup
- Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Ghee or Virgin Coconut Oil
- Egg
Unfortunately, if you don’t have a microwave, you are probably out of luck on this one. You could bake the ingredients as a single serving muffin but it kind of takes away from the whole “Made in 3 Minutes” promise.
Even though this chocolate mug cake is beyond easy, I added a bunch of notes below to help you perfect this single serv treat for your taste and microwave power! Enjoy 🙂
CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE TIPS:
- Use whatever kind of non-dairy milk you have in the house. I have made this with coconut milk, almond milk, and hemp milk and didn’t notice any difference
- I like to mix the batter in a larger bowl and then pour into the mug as cocoa powder tends to be messy but you don’t have to. Yes, this does add an extra (and probably unnecessary) step but I just toss the bowl into the dishwasher.
- Microwave ovens vary and can significantly impact the cooking time. For reference, ours is 1000 Watts and 2 min 30 sec is perfect. Start slow and keep adding time to figure out the perfect formula for your microwave.
- Believe it or not, the type of mug you use can also impact the cooking time as material and thickness impact the transfer of heat. So once you find a perfect mug/cooking time formula, stick with it so you can ensure consistent results!
- You can substitute raw cacao powder for the unsweetened cocoa powder but you may need to increase the maple syrup a bit (or add a bit of liquid stevia) to counterbalance the bitterness.
MORE MUG CAKE RECIPES:
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
One of the BEST Chocolate Mug Cake Recipes out there. Made with a handful of ingredients in just 3 minutes and 100% gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free! This is a single-serving mug cake recipe will blow your mind!
- 3 Tablespoons blanched almond flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ghee (or Virgin Coconut Oil)
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 large egg beaten
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Combine all ingredients except egg in a bowl or mug. Use a fork or whisk to mix ingredients together until well mixed and there are no clumps.
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Beat egg until foamy and add to chocolate mixture. Mix or whisk until well combined.
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Microwave for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes (depending on microwave wattage).
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Let cool for 1 to 2 minutes and Enjoy!
Recipe Video
- Microwave ovens vary and can significantly impact the cooking time. For reference, ours is 1000 Watts and 2 min 30 sec is perfect. Start slow and keep adding time to figure out the perfect formula for your microwave.
- Believe it or not, the type of mug you use can also impact the cooking time as material and thickness impact the transfer of heat. So once you find a perfect mug/cooking time formula, stick with it so you can ensure consistent results!
- You can substitute raw cacao powder for the unsweetened cocoa powder but you may need to increase the maple syrup a bit (or add a bit of liquid stevia) to counterbalance the bitterness.
- Use whatever kind of non-dairy milk you have in the house. I have made this with coconut milk, almond milk, and hemp milk and didn't notice any difference
- I like to mix the batter in a larger bowl and then pour into the mug as cocoa powder tends to be messy but you don't have to. Yes, this does add an extra (and probably unnecessary) step but I just toss the bowl into the dishwasher.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
UPDATE NOTES: Please note that this recipe was originally published in September 2013, but was updated in May 2019 with updated photos, nutritional information, recipe tips, and more helpful information.
Lauren says
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. Just wondering, would coconut milk work instead of almond milk?
EverydayMaven says
Absolutely Lauren!
Mary says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve made many almond flour mug cakes before but they turned out dry and tasteless. Yours was perfect. Completely without scrutiny. I’ll be making this for a long time to come.
EverydayMaven says
So glad you loved it Mary – thanks for reading and making my recipes!
Amanda@ChewTown says
I love mug cakes… but gluten and dairy free?! You are amazing!
Karla Archer says
We make these every year for birthdays — the kids love the role they get to have in making and decorating them.
We use martini glasses to make them look festive.
Katrina says
I love you right now. THIS is what I’ve been craving. Need. 😉 Thanks!
EverydayMaven says
Enjoy Katrina!! 🙂
Andrea says
I have made this 3 times in two days. It even tastes great with honey instead of maple syrup. I made icing out of avocado, cocoa and maple syrup and my 4 year old (who hates avo) licked the bowl clean and polished off an entire mug cake to herself! Thanks for a great recipe!
EverydayMaven says
Great idea on the icing – my 3.5 year old used to love avocado’s but now won’t eat them. I am going to try this icing for him 😉
Allison says
Wow….this is awesome (and easy!). Thank you for this!
EverydayMaven says
You’re welcome Allison! Nothing like a quick, healthy chocolate treat 🙂
Hannah says
Me, too – such a treat to get so much time with you! Loved getting a quick hug and hello last night, as well. Sigh, definitely an emotional time getting ready to say good-bye…all good, just very bittersweet. I hope I see you again soon! xoxo
Hannah says
I am drooling, Alyssa! I haven’t made mug cakes before but will do so soon. This is a great one to teach my son for college, too! Yummy.
EverydayMaven says
Perfect for the dorm room! So glad to have spent so much fun time together this weekend! I’ll be thinking about you for the big drive. Hugs xoxoxo