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    Home » Course » Dessert

    3 Ingredient Mug Cake

    Published: Jan 21, 2023 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This 3 ingredient mug cake is the best! It's rich, fudgy and chocolatey and ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes. This single serving dessert is naturally gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free too!

    A chocolate mug cake topped with vanilla ice cream.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • Even though it's made from scratch it's so simple and easy to make and only requires 3 ingredients!
    • This flourless mug cake has the best flavour - it's chocolatey, fudgy and so rich.
    • This single serving dessert is ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes.
    • It's made with pantry staple ingredients including maple syrup and cacao powder.
    • This chocolate treat is naturally gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and paleo.
    • This chocolate mug cake is made without cocoa powder and instead uses cacao powder.
    • It's made with no flour, no butter, no milk, no powdered sugar, no oil, no baking powder, and no refined sugar.
    • This mug cake is cooked in a microwave so you don't need to heat up your house by turning on the oven.

    Taste and texture:

    This homemade chocolate mug cake is rich, fudgy and chocolatey. It tastes like a dark chocolate brownie. It is never dry, but is so moist and decadent.

    Key ingredients and substitutions:

    The ingredients needed to make a three ingredient mug cake separated into bowls.
    • Cacao powder - cacao powder is what gives this mug cake that delicious, dark chocolate flavour. Instead of cacao powder you can use cocoa powder.
    • Egg - one egg is used to bind the ingredients in this cake together and help it rise when it cooks in the microwave.
    • Maple syrup - maple syrup is used to naturally sweeten this 3 minute mug cake.

    How to make:

    Step one:

    First, put the ingredients into a mug.

    A mug filled with cocoa powder.

    Step two:

    Now whisk together the ingredients until they are smooth and there are no clumps remaining.

    A mug filled with chocolate mug cake ingredients and a spoon in it.

    Step three:

    Now cover the mug and heat it on high heat in the microwave for approximately 60-70 seconds (until it puffs up and has a cake-like consistency). 

    A cooked 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake.

    Tips:

    • I recommend using a taller mug to make this cake. If you use a short mug it might overflow when you cook it.
    • Be sure to stir or whisk the ingredients well so there aren't any clumps remaining.
    • Don't overcook this cake - if you cook it too long it will turn out more dry and crumbly rather than moist and fudgy.

    Variations and add ins:

    • You can use cacao powder or cocoa powder to make this mug cake. 
    • Feel free to add some chocolate chips to make this into a double chocolate mug cake.
    • You could add some nuts such as chopped pecans or walnuts to give this mug cake even more texture.

    How to serve:

    This mug cake is delicious served as is, but you could also top it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, chocolate sauce or even chocolate chips.

    How to store:

    This dessert is best served right away but you could cover it and store it in the fridge overnight. I don't recommend trying to freeze mug cake.

    Nutrition info:

    This 3 ingredient cake in a mug has approximately 249 calories per serving with 47 grams of total carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 43 grams of net carbs, 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fat. This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and vegan. It is not vegan, low carb, low sugar or keto.

    A 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake topped with vanilla ice cream.

    Frequently asked questions:

    Why is my mug cake so spongy?

    If you add too many liquids or too many eggs to mug cake it will turn out more spongy rather than cake like.

    Is this a vegan mug cake?

    No, this is not a vegan mug cake recipe as it contains pan egg.

    Can I replace the egg in this mug cake recipe?

    I have not tried making this mug cake without the egg and I do not recommend trying to omit it or replace it.

    Other recipes you will love:

    • Orange chocolate fudge
    • Coffee cookies
    • Chocolate coffee banana bread
    • Chocolate almond butter bars
    • Dairy free brownies with caramel

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    A mug filled with a 3 ingredient mug cake topped with vanilla ice cream.

    3 Ingredient Mug Cake

    This is the best 3 ingredient mug cake! It's so easy to make and is ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes. It's also gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 3 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 248kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Ingredients

    • 1 large egg
    • 3 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon cacao powder (or cocoa powder)

    Instructions

    • In a mug, whisk together the ingredients until they are smooth and there are no clumps remaining.
    • Cover the mug and heat it on high heat in the microwave for approximately 60-70 seconds (until it puffs up and has a cake-like consistency).
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. I recommend using a taller mug to make this cake. If you use a short mug it might overflow when you cook it.
    2. Be sure to stir or whisk the ingredients well so there aren't any clumps remaining.
    3. You can use cacao powder or cocoa powder to make this mug cake. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    More Healthy Dessert Recipes

    • Coffee Cookies
    • No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge
    • Chocolate Filled Cookies
    • Graham Cracker Christmas Crack

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialities in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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