This 3 ingredient mug cake is the best! It's rich, fudgy and chocolatey and ready to enjoy in less than 5 minutes. This healthy single serving dessert is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar free too!
Easy desserts like vanilla protein mug cake, the best chocolate covered pecans and peanut butter chocolate bliss balls are some of my all time favourite foods to make, which is why I am so excited to share another easy mug cake recipe with you today.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this mug cake:
- This chocolate mug cake is so quick and easy and takes less than 5 minutes to make.
- This flourless mug cake has the best flavour - it's chocolatey, fudgy and so rich.
- This healthy mug cake is gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free and paleo. It's also made without banana, without Nutella, and without flour.
- This mug cake is cooked in a microwave which means you don't need to heat up your house by turning on the oven so it's a great summer dessert.
If you love mug cakes you will also love my chocolate caramel mug cake, chocolate almond flour mug cake recipe and gluten-free chocolate mug cake.
Ingredients and substitutions:
For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.
Jump to the Recipe Card.
- Cacao powder - this is what gives this mug cake that delicious, dark chocolate flavour. You can use cocoa powder instead.
- 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 - is used to naturally sweeten this delicious chocolate cake and keep it refined sugar free.
Recipe variations and add ins:
- You can 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.
- You could add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to give this cake even more flavour.
- Feel free to add a bit of flaky sea salt to the top of this chocolate cake. Salty chocolate is my favourite!
How to make 3 ingredient mug cake:
Step 1
First, put all the ingredients into a large, microwave-safe mug.
Step 2
Now whisk together the ingredients until you have a smooth batter and there are no clumps remaining.
Step 3
Place the mug in the microwave and heat it on high heat for approximately 60-70 seconds. Let the cake cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!
Top tips:
- Use a large mug to make this cake. If you use a short mug it might overflow when you cook it.
- Be sure to use a microwave-safe mug. Otherwise the mug might break or explode in the microwave.
- Don't cover the mug when you heat it in the microwave. If you do the cake ends up with more of a slimy texture or rubbery texture rather than a cakey texture.
- Let the cake cool for a couple minutes before enjoying. This helps give the cake the perfect cake-like texture and makes it less slimy.
- Don't overcook this cake - if you cook it too long it will turn out more dry and crumbly rather than moist and fudgy.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the type of microwave you have.
- Storage: this 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake is best served right away but you could cover it and store it in the fridge overnight.
How to serve:
This mug cake is delicious served as is, but you could also top it with vanilla ice cream, coconut whipped cream, fresh berries, vanilla yogurt, chocolate sauce, or even chocolate chips.
3 ingredient mug cake FAQs:
If you add too many liquids or too many eggs to mug cake it will turn out more spongy rather than cake like.
No, this is not a vegan mug cake recipe as it contains pan egg.
I have not tried making this mug cake without the egg and I do not recommend trying to omit it or replace it.
I have not tried making this recipe in an air fryer so I am not sure if it would work out.
No it is not.
I don't recommend trying to freeze mug cake.
Other dessert recipes you will love:
Recipe
3 Ingredient Mug Cake
Equipment
- Large microwave safe mug
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
- Be sure to use a microwave safe mug to make this cake.
- Stir or whisk the ingredients well so there aren't any clumps remaining in the batter.
- Don't cover the mug when you heat it in the microwave.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Ruth
I needed a chocolate fix after dinner tonight. I did a quick internet search and found this recipe. I jumped up and made it in 2 minutes. This will be a weekly dessert. It's delicious.
Dr. Erin Carter
I'm so glad you liked it!