Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan)
This Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan) will totally blow you away! It’s vegan and made with very easy pantry ingredients in under 5 minutes start to finish. It has an incredible chocolate-y flavour that’s so addictive!
When I first came out with my Vegan Chocolate Cake, I didn’t realise how popular it would become! It’s been incredible seeing all your reviews and photos, and it let me know that I will definitely be coming with even more classics.
You know mug cakes are my thing. For my Vegan Banana Bread, I made my Banana Bread Mug Cake. For my Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies, I made my tahini chocolate chip mug cake. Now *drum roll please* presenting my Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake! It’s for me, the perfect single size version of my chocolate cake! I can’t count how many times I’ve eaten this (I’ll just say it’s for testing!) so know for sure that you’ll LOVE IT!
What is a mug cake?
In case you don’t know, a mug cake is exactly what it sounds like. A quick single-serving cake that’s usually whipped up in your mug and cooked quickly in it too. It usually takes about a minute to two minutes to make, and the result is a fully cooked, delicious and moist mini cake. I’ve made one before that’s the #1 search result for vegan brownie mug cake, so be sure to check that one out too.
Needless to say – mug cakes are incredibly convenient and so tasty! You usually only want a single serving anyway, and the overall time is always less than 5 minutes to make!
Best tips for making mug cakes
Making a mug cake is pretty much foolproof, but these few tips help to make a big difference. I’ve tested mug cakes over 2 dozen times (yes!), and here are the top tips I took away:
- Use a wide short-ish mug (like the one in these photos!). If you have a variety to choose from, using this type of mug means the cake rises higher in a concentrated space. I’ve found this helps with cooking.
- Ensure to stir it all together. Don’t go whisking it for minutes on end, but ensure your entire mug cake is mixed. Since it’s such a small container it can be easy to miss the bottom. Just ensure you incorporate everything. Sometimes I scoop from the bottom up a few times to ensure this.
- Adjust your time based on your microwave. The times I’ve provided should work but yours may need an extra 10 seconds. It’ll cook edges to centre so just check the centre that it’s mostly cooked…BUT:
- BUT, don’t overcook. This will make your mug cake gummy and rubbery and dry. Remember that the mug cake will keep cooking while it’s cooling so it’s better to slightly under bake it.
- Let it cool for like 3 to 5 minutes before digging in. It really does make a difference, like how you’d let a cake or brownies cool first!
- I’ve included instructions for baking this in your oven too!
That’s it friends! Whip this up and enjoy so much!!
Other mug cake recipes
- Banana Bread Mug Cake
- Vegan Chocolate Brownie Mug Cake
- Chocolate Chip Tahini Mug Cake
- Pumpkin Butter Mug Cake
Enjoy friends! If you make this Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan), please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil, any oil of choice
- 3 tablespoons milk, any vegan milk works
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, I use cane sugar, you can use brown or coconut too
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour, or gluten free flour mix*
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a mug, add in the oil, milk, sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk together for about 15 seconds. Add in the flour, baking powder, sea salt and vanilla extract.
- Stir to combine for about 30 more seconds to ensure it’s all incorporated, ensuring you get the bottoms too. Add in the chocolate chips and fold in. Feel free to sprinkle some of them on top.
- Place in your microwave for 65 seconds. It's okay if it's slightly undercooked because it'll continue to cook while it cools. It's better for it to be slightly undercooked than overcooked. Remove and let cool for about 3 to 5 minutes. Trust me!
- If making in your oven, preheat oven to 350°F/180°C and bake in about a 3.5-inch ramekin (ensure it's oven safe) for 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Best tips for making mug cakes
Making a mug cake is pretty much foolproof, but these few tips help to make a big difference. I’ve tested mug cakes over 2 dozen times (yes!), and here are the top tips I took away:- Use a wide short-ish mug (like the one in these photos!). If you have a variety to choose from, using this type of mug means the cake rises higher in a concentrated space. I’ve found this helps with cooking.
- Ensure to stir it all together. Don’t go whisking it for minutes on end, but ensure your entire mug cake is mixed. Since it’s such a small container it can be easy to miss the bottom. Just ensure you incorporate everything. Sometimes I scoop from the bottom up a few times to ensure this.
- Adjust your time based on your microwave. The times I’ve provided should work but yours may need an extra 10 seconds. It’ll cook edges to centre so just check the centre that it’s mostly cooked…BUT:
- BUT, don’t overcook. This will make your mug cake gummy and rubbery and dry. Remember that the mug cake will keep cooking while it’s cooling so it’s better to slightly under bake it.
- Let it cool for like 3 to 5 minutes before digging in. It really does make a difference, like how you’d let a cake or brownies cool first!
- I’ve included instructions for baking this in your oven too!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Hi Jessica,
I loved your recipe. It was really quick and simple. Being a vegan I’ve always wanted to prepare chocolate mug cake and other cakes on my own and your article has helped me with the recipe. I’ve tried this and I loved it.
I loved it so much that I’ve featured your recipe in my recent article. Let me know if you would like to check this out. Kudos!
Hi Stephen thanks so much we would love to check it out.
Perfect as always!
OMG this was soooo delicious! Best mug cake e v e r.
Jessica, if I halve the ingredients–should I also halve the Microwave time?
Hi Steffie yes you should half the time. I would suggest that you use a wider mug if you can as well. Thank you so much for the review.
This worked perfectly! I was a little worried because my coconut oil was a bit solid when I put everything in the mug BUT I just mixed it well and it was perfect!
This was the best mug cake I’ve ever made. Usually it comes out gummy but that was not the case of this time. It came out nice and fluffy. I topped mine with strawberries; I will definitely make this again!
This is an easy lil snack I would tell anyone to try. I used a soup cup for my mug and mixed all the ingredients and followed the directions. Viola you have a great tasting cake. I did replace the chocolate chips with Heath bits and it was still wonderful in taste and it wasn’t a huge amount. Thank you Jessica for the recommendation and recipe
Wow! I was having a 9PM chocolate craving and remembered I had saved this recipe when you posted it on Instagram last month. Literally it was in my mouth 5 minutes after I got up from the couch to make it! So chocolatey and delicious! Thanks so much!
You’re so welcome Diana. We’re happy that you enjoyed it.
So easy to put together, I’m not vegan but still enjoyed immensely. So gooey and chocaltey, a perfect midnight treat 🙂
I have literally been OBSESSED with this mug cake for the past few day!! It is extra extra tasty with some non dairy vanilla ice cream and it’s like your very own brownie sundae :))
Aww I’m SO happy to hear that Cait! Sooo yummy!!
This is the best mug cake recipe!