The best chocolate vegan mug cake out there! Super fudgy, moist and perfect anytime you need a chocolate fix, quick! Ready in 1 minute.
What is a mug cake?
This might seem like a silly question, but if you’ve never made one before, you’re probably thinking, “what the heck is a mug cake!?”
A mug cake is literally a single serving cake, made in a mug and cooked in the microwave. Basically the best invention ever!!
I wanted to create a super chocolatey vegan mug cake that was also incredibly simple to throw together when you need a chocolate fix and quick! I was testing the recipe when my twin 10 year olds got home from school one day last week, and they wanted to try making their own. They successfully followed the recipe and couldn’t get over how delicious they turned out! If a 10 year old can do it, I’m confident you can, too. 🙂
How to make a vegan mug cake
It’s so easy. Get a mug out of your cupboard. Add the dry ingredients to it and whisk or stir to combine: flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking powder.
Now add the wet ingredients: oil, non-dairy milk and vanilla. Stir with a spoon until combined. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top, and microwave for 40-60 seconds. I prefer 40 seconds, because it’s nice and gooey in the middle at that point, but you could cook it a little longer if you want.
Yum, yum. Enjoy immediately as is, or you could add a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for a seriously tasty treat.
Want more vegan chocolate dessert recipes?
- The Best Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Best Ever Vegan Brownies
- 5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chewy Vegan Brownies
Chocolate Vegan Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, melted coconut oil or vegan butter
- 3 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt and baking powder to a mug. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Pour in the oil, non-dairy milk and vanilla into the mug with the dry ingredients and stir well with a spoon. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Cook in the microwave for 40 seconds. It will likely be a little undercooked in the middle at this point, which is my preference, but if you want it cooked more, microwave it another 10-20 seconds.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- I think the mug cake tastes best with white flour, but you can use whole wheat flour, or a gluten free flour mix. I wouldn't suggest using all almond or coconut flour.
- You can use natural cocoa powder or dutch processed. Either work fine for this recipe.
- Feel free to substitute coconut sugar for the regular sugar, or lower the sugar amount if you want a less sweet dessert.
- For the oil, you can use canola oil, melted coconut oil, vegan butter or any other oil you prefer. You could also substitute applesauce for oil free, but it will not be quite as rich tasting.
Nutrition
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Oh gosh. I don’t even know what to say. I am a Mama who had no energy tonight but so badly wanted something sweet. I happened to be craving chocolate cake. I stumbled on this recipe. I was leery of a mug cake because I haven’t had a great experience with them. I think of mug cakes as being spongy and dry. Let me tell you this is a FANTASTIC recipe. I didn’t have to dirty up a bunch of dishes or spend a lot of time on it. It was quick, easy and boy is it delish! Wow I am so impressed. Saving as a new fave. Thank you so so much for this recipe! Easy 5 star. Already shared with my sister. Will definitely make again. Craving cured except I gobbled it down so fast I need to make another. Lol Try this recipe it is chefs kiss!
I am thrilled that you loved the mug cake! It is definitely great for a chocolate craving fix! Thanks for sharing your amazing feedback and review! Lot’s of happy cooking to you!
OMG this is the best dessert ever! I’ve had a go-to chocolate mug cake recipe for years but when I saw that you had one I knew I had to try it. It is so moist and chocolatey! I added some PB2 powder to the mix as well (because why not??). After my first bite I stopped to write this review! This recipe is officially replacing my old mug cake recipe!
Seriously amazing!!! This is my favorite dessert to make at home, it honestly beats getting dessert from a vegan restaurant! My non-veg boyfriend asks me to make it for him all the time. You can never go wrong with Nora’s recipes😍
Hi Cassie. How terrific that you guys are loving the mug cake! It’s one my favorites! Thanks for sharing your terrific feedback and review! I appreciate you using my recipes!
Absolutely love this simple mug cake recipe! I make this for me when I needs just a mom snack! Thank you 😊
You are welcome! This mug cake is perfect for a quick and chocolatey snack! Thanks for you terrific feedback and review!
Didn’t have a plant based milk left and didn’t feel like making it, so I used brewed coffee instead. So so good! Thank you!
Good to know, Cindy! Thanks for your awesome feedback and review!
Good good
The first time I made it, it was way too salty and I only gave it one star. But I made it again today with just a very small pinch of salt, 38 seconds in the microwave and it was delicious. I will try to add a few frozen bluberries next time!
Sounds delicious with blueberries! Glad you found your taste balance, and that you love the mug cake! Thanks for sharing your feedback and review!
For making and storing ahead, is in possible to add the vanilla to the dry ingredients so only oil and milk need to be added when you want to cook? Planing to store in mason jars.
Yes, that should be fine!
I’ve made this at least 10 times since I found the recipe. So rich and chocolatey. It is excellent with a spoonful of peanut butter on top. I usually make several baggies of the dry mix to keep in the pantry then I can throw it together in a flash when I need something sweet. Best mug cake I’ve ever tried.
Hi Brittany. I love your idea of the make ahead dry ingredient baggies! It’s so great you are loving the mug cake! Thanks for your amazing feedback and review!
I can’t believe I’ve never indulged in one of these and I’ve been vegan 3.5 years….I wanted a chocolate chip cookie, but “ain’t nobody got time for that” late in the evening….This was delicious. I can see variations as another person suggested who was out of cocoa. peanut butter, vegan nutella….different spices…pumpkin….I’m sure there’s been many floating out there on the internet…I’m a big fan of mug cakes now, thanks to you!
I’m thrilled that you loved the mug cake! It’s definitely fun to experiment with new flavors! Thank you for your awesome feedback and review! Happy cooking!
So delicious and it truly is ready in a snap. Just the right thing when you need something warm and sweet.
Hi Carolyn. Yes, the perfect thing when you want something chocolate and warm – fast! Thank you for your great feedback and review!
yummmm!!! perfect, quick individual dessert <3
Thanks for sharing your fabulous feedback and review!
Wow!!! This is so delicious and it melts in your mouth! I used almond milk! Thank you so much for this recipe! ❤️❤️❤️ God Bless
You are very welcome, Jada! I’m really glad you love the mug cake! Thanks for taking time to share your terrific feedback!
OH MY GOODNESS! This is the best, most easiest chocolate cake in the world! I just made with my daughter. I have googled the heck out of chocolate mug cakes. I found yours and and gave it ago. I cooked it for about 1 minute in my 1100 microwave. Ate with ice-cream… Wow. It more than satisfied my daughter and mines craving. It took about 15 minutes from start to in my bowl. THANK YOU
I agree that this is ‘the’ cake to satisfy a chocolate craving! Thanks for sharing your amazing feedback!
The best mug cake recipe I’ve tried! Made it with coconut oil and sunflower oil and it was way lighter with coconut. Enjoy mine with frozen raspberries and vegan yog for a quick dessert!
Wowza! First time making mug cake and only just became vegan but this is without doubt the best chocolate cake I’ve eaten in a long time.
Thank you for sharing the recipe Nora. 😀
Hi Tracey. You are welcome! I’m thrilled you loved the cake! It’s so perfect when you want something chocolate, and you want it quickly! Thanks for sharing your terrific feedback!
My partner “I don’t like mug cakes”
I made this
My partner “Stop eating all the good bits why didn’t you make two”
Oh my WORD, Nora – what have you done?! This is dangerously easy and so delicious – I feel like I’ll be waving a fond farewell to whatever waistline I currently have, as this definitely won’t be the last time I make this. Gorgeous!
Hi Lindsay. This is definitely a dessert for those who appreciate chocolate! I am so glad that you love it! Thank you for sharing your terrific feedback!
Super fudgey and exactly what I felt like, made in 5 minutes. Really easy to make Thankyou! I subbed one of the cocoa tbsp for carob and it’s yum!
Hi Stacey. I’m so glad the mug cake was perfect for your craving! It is a quick and easy chocolate delight! Thanks for sharing your feedback and idea!
This is a dangerously delicious recipe! I had never made a mug cake before because I usually like baking to share with others. But this is a surprisingly sophisticated, decadent dessert that is so simple to make. The single serving is perfect when you just want to treat yourself! It’s too good to share!
Hi Kendra. I’m really glad that you tried the mug cake! t is definitely a craving pleaser that is quick and easy to make! Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
It worked & it was delicious!
I was excited to try this with my kids and of course when I told everyone we were having vegan mug cake I realized I was out of cocoa and chocolate chips. So looking at my 9 year olds sad face I decided to improvise. I used vanilla sugar for the sugar, added 1/8 tsp of cinnamon, and used oatmeal milk. And it turned out great! My oldest son said it tasted like the bread pudding I made in our pre-vegan days. Microwaved 1 min. 30 seconds but that might be too long for others. Our microwave might be ready for that old trash heap in the sky. So thank you, Nora for a fun,delicious afternoon! I’m recommending your blog to everyone I know. And if the animals knew you were saving them I’m sure they’d thank you too.🐥
Hi Alexia! You are welcome! I love your mug cake story! The improvised version of the cake sounds really delicious! Thank you sharing my blog with others, and for your wonderful feedback! It is fun!
I have made this an embarrassing number of times. It comes out great every time and is perfect for satisfying a sugar craving! I never realized a mug cake recipe could work so well!
Thanks Nora. First time trying one of your recipes. Made it two nights in a row. Didn’t add the chocolate chips and microwaved for 50 secs. Perfect!
H Anne. Welcome to my recipes! I’m glad you’re loving the much cake! Thank you for sharing your great feedback and review!
omg this is amazing! like seriously super fudgy and gooey- so happy to have found this recipe!
I have two middle schoolers and I may have printed out this recipe for them. They have now become experts at making this (after the first time when my son forgot the sugar). Also, we had a very serious discussion about how mug cake is not an acceptable breakfast or lunch or dinner. 5 stars from all of us!
wonderful recipe i like that you can easily vary the time depending on how cooked your guests like their cake needed a full minute for DH and mine 45 seconds. Thank you Nora for such a quick recipe i can use at a moments notice !
You are welcome! I really love how quickly this cake comes together when a chocolate craving hits! Thanks for you fantastic feedback and review!
It’s late on Friday night and the kids were craving something sweet. This completely hit the spot!
I’m so thrilled everyone loved the mug cake! This recipe does hit the spot for a last minute craving! Thank you for sharing!
I want to try this recipe so badly, but O don’t have a microwave. I use a toaster over, it has multiple functions, air fryer is one of them, could this recipe work there? 🙂
Well hi Nora! I love your name! This mug cake can be baked at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes in an oven safe ramekin. I’ve never tried it in an air fryer, however, it should work. I hope this helps!