This chocolate chip mug cake is an indulgent, single-serve dessert that bakes up in minutes! Made with simple, plant-based ingredients, it has all the flavor of a cookie with the fluffy texture of a cake. Serve it warm with extra chocolate chips, your favorite icing, or a scoop of ice cream on top!
Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Budget-friendly: Made with everyday pantry staples and minimal ingredients, this chocolate chip mug cake recipe is an easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking the bank.
- Allergy-friendly: Already dairy and nut-free, this recipe can easily be made into a gluten-free mug cake, too.
- Customizable: Easily customize this mug cake with swaps and add-ins to make it your own!
- Low waste: Instead of baking an entire cake that’s likely to go stale and be thrown away, make this single-serve recipe for a low-waste option.
🍪 What is a chocolate chip mug cake?
Just as it sounds, a chocolate chip mug cake recipe is simply a chocolate chip cake that has been baked in a mug. Traditionally, cake recipes require multiple bowls, kitchen utensils, and long bake times.
However, mug cakes can be whisked together in a single mug and are ready within minutes! You even have the option of baking them in the oven or the microwave.
Inspired by classic chocolate chip cookies, the batter for this recipe comes together with all-purpose four, cane sugar, baking powder, salt, coconut oil, soy milk, vanilla extract, and vegan chocolate chips. That’s all you need!
It’s warm, tender, and moist!
For an extra special treat, we love serving this mug cake with a scoop of chocolate peanut butter nice cream or vegan caramel sauce on top! It’s also a great way to finish off a meal like vegan sweet potato chili, 4-ingredient potato soup, or pan-fried tofu.
📜 History
If you’ve been anywhere on the internet in the last decade or so, you’ve probably already heard of mug cakes. Their popularity began to soar in 2009 due to a viral YouTube video.
That said, it is reported that King Arthur Baking Company had actually published a mug cake recipe in their magazine a year prior to the release of the YouTube video.
Historically speaking, the true origins of mug cakes have been traced back to ancient recipes from over 4,000 years ago!
Today, the dessert that is most closely linked to mug cake recipes is the classic cupcake. Originally published in 1796, cupcake recipes instructed bakers to use coffee mugs or tea cups.
Nowadays, this dessert is much quicker to make thanks to the invention of microwaves, but the original intent of creating a light texture and rich flavor remains.
🌱 Are mug cakes vegan?
Generally speaking, chocolate chip mug cake recipes are made with some combination of eggs, butter, milk, and dairy-based chocolate.
In our vegan version, we use melted coconut oil, soy milk, and vegan chocolate chips. As a result, the original taste and texture are emulated without the need for animal-based ingredients.
🛒 Ingredients & substitutions
- Flour: We used all-purpose flour for this chocolate chip mug cake. If you need a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend like our favorite from King Arthur.
- Sugar: We prefer cane sugar. However, you can also use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener like Lakanto for a sugar-free option.
- Baking powder: To help the cake rise.
- Salt: Absolutely necessary to enhance the flavor of the rest of the ingredients. Don't skip the salt!
- Coconut oil: Once melted, it will help make your mug cake soft, fluffy, and moist. If needed, feel free to swap it out for melted vegan butter instead.
- Soy milk: Any vegan milk alternative including oat milk, coconut milk, or pea milk will do. Look for brands like Silk, Oatly, or Ripple.
- Vanilla extract: A little goes a long way to enhance the other flavors. If possible, we recommend using a premium vanilla extract for the absolute best taste.
- Vegan chocolate chips: Many dark chocolate brands are naturally vegan, but white chocolate works, too. Be sure to double-check the ingredient list, and look for brands like Enjoy Life or Hu.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
📝 Instructions
Step 1: Whisk the dry ingredients
In a heat-safe mug, whisk the dry ingredients except for the chocolate chips until they’re well combined.
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients
Then, add in the wet ingredients and stir until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the batter to prevent a tough and rubbery cake texture.
Step 3: Add chocolate chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, and add a few more on top for good measure! You can use dairy-free dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or both!
Step 4: Cook the cake
Microwave the mug cake for 2-3 minutes or until the center is just set. Alternatively, you can bake it in an oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.
Step 6: Serve the cake
Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips, vegan icing, vegan ice cream, or vegan whipped cream on top. Happy eating!
If you have questions about this chocolate chip mug cake recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
☕ What to serve with mug cake
This chocolate chip mug cake is an incredibly decadent treat on its own, but everything is better when paired with a drink, right?! Try serving your mug cake with beverages like these:
- Champurrado: A warm Mexican drink that’s creamy, sweet, and full of chocolate.
- Chocomil: Sweet and spicy chocolate milk perfect for washing down warm bites of cake.
- Tea or coffee: The contrasting flavors of bitter tea and coffee balance out the sweetness of this dessert.
- Agua de Mazapán: A cool, refreshing, and dairy-free option made of Mexican peanut-based marzipan (also known as mazapán).
🍽️ How to eat a mug cake
The best part about this dessert is that you can eat it straight from the mug! To make an extra fancy treat, feel free to top yours off with a scoop of ice cream, extra chocolate chips, whipped cream, or icing!
🌡️ Storage & reheating
If you want to make your chocolate chip mug cake recipe in advance, follow these storage tips to keep it fresh:
- Room temperature: Once cooled, tightly cover your mug cake with cling wrap or tin foil, and keep it at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- Fridge: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezer: For a longer-lasting option, be sure to completely cover your mug cake. Or, transfer it to an airtight container, and keep it in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
- Reheating: Thaw your frozen mug cake in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or until warm.
♻️ Variations
- Sprinkles: Add a pop of color and sweetness with a dash of vegan sprinkles.
- Vanilla: Not a fan of chocolate? Omit the chocolate chips for an understated yet flavorful vanilla mug cake recipe.
- Pumpkin: For a fall-inspired mug cake, add a scoop of pumpkin purée and a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
- Double chocolate: Take your chocolate chip mug cake to the next level by adding a dash of cocoa powder in addition to the chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter: Create a peanut butter cup-inspired cake by swirling a tablespoon of peanut butter into the batter.
🧑🍳 Top tips
- Don’t overflow the mug: Use a large mug, and fill it only two-thirds with the batter to prevent it from overflowing once baked.
- Avoid overcooking: Start by microwaving your cake for 2 minutes, and check for doneness. Your chocolate chip mug cake should be spongy and begin to shrink away from the sides when ready to eat. If it still seems too moist after 2 minutes, continue to cook in 30-second intervals.
- Don’t worry if it sinks: If the center of your mug cake begins to fall, don’t panic. This is common, and you did nothing wrong. It’ll still taste just as great!
- Any microwave-safe dish will work: Don’t stress if you don’t have a big enough mug. Any heat-safe bowl or container can be used to create a chocolate chip mug cake recipe.
💬 FAQ
No, unfortunately not all mugs are safe to use in the oven. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label before baking. In general, ceramic, glass, bone china, metal, stainless steel, and silicone mugs are oven-safe. Typically, you'll want to avoid mugs made with polypropylene and plastic as they are often not safe for baking. Here is more information on oven-safe mugs.
Yes! The taste and texture will be similar. However, the bake time will be slightly longer in the oven compared to the microwave.
Mug cakes most often turn out rubbery either because too much oil was used, they were overmixed, or they were overcooked. To prevent this from happening, be sure to measure carefully, stir gently, and cook in increments.
🍴 Similar recipes
If you enjoyed this chocolate chip mug cake recipe, be sure to check out some more easy desserts like the following:
- 3-Ingredient vegan chocolate: A better-for-you chocolate snack you’ll always want to keep on hand.
- Chocolate peanut butter fudge: With the perfect flavor combination, this is the best fudge you’ll ever taste.
- Vegan cookie dough bites: Cure your cookie cravings without even turning on the oven.
- Healthy homemade Snickers bars: Your favorite candy bar with a no-bake, refined sugar-free twist!
- Blueberry donuts: Tender, sweet, and bursting with juicy flavor!
- Vegan edible cookie dough: Loaded with dark chocolate chips, this recipe is sweet, rich, and indulgent.
📋 Recipe
Best Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
Equipment
- Oven-safe mug
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour ($0.04)
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar ($0.02)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder ($0.01)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
Wet ingredients
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil ($0.30)
- 3 tablespoons soy milk ($0.04)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ($0.11)
- 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips ($0.17)
For serving optional
- Vegan icing
- Vegan ice cream
- Vegan whipped cream
- Extra chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a heat-safe mug, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in coconut oil, plant milk, and vanilla extract, stirring until incorporated.
- Fold in chocolate chips. Add a few more on top after mixing (optional).
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the center is just set. Alternatively, bake it in an oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until the center is just set.
- Serve immediately with extra chocolate chips, icing, whipped cream, or ice cream on top. Happy eating!
Notes
- Don’t overflow the mug: Use a large mug, and fill it only two-thirds with the batter to prevent it from overflowing once baked.
- Avoid overcooking: Start by microwaving your cake for 2 minutes, and check for doneness. Your chocolate chip mug cake should be spongy and begin to shrink away from the sides when ready to eat. If it still seems too moist after 2 minutes, continue to cook in 30-second intervals.
- Don’t worry if it sinks: If the center of your mug cake begins to fall, don’t panic. This is common, and you did nothing wrong. It’ll still taste just as great!
- Any microwave-safe dish will work: Don’t stress if you don’t have a big enough mug. Any heat-safe bowl or container can be used to create a chocolate chip mug cake recipe.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
- Recipe cost calculations are based on prices found in the top 5 U.S. grocery chains. As such, prices may vary based on your location. All prices are in USD.
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