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This Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake is everything you want in a dessert: rich, chocolatey, and made in the microwave in just 90 seconds! When the sweet tooth strikes, this single-serving treat is ready in no time with ingredients you likely have in your pantry.
If you’re craving that tender, moist chocolate cake experience without baking a whole batch, this recipe’s got you covered. It’s soft, not too sweet, and packed with chocolate goodness—a mug full of joy you can whip up anytime.
What Is A Mug Cake
A mug cake is a single-serving dessert mixed and "baked" directly in a mug, typically using a microwave. With just a few simple ingredients and no oven required, it’s the ultimate quick fix for a sweet tooth craving. Perfect for portion control, mug cakes take only about 90 seconds to cook, resulting in a warm, tender cake that’s just enough for one satisfying treat!
Why You’ll Love These Mug Cakes
- Perfectly portioned for one – no sharing required!
This recipe makes just enough for a single serving, so you don’t have to worry about leftovers or overeating. It’s an ideal treat when you’re looking to indulge without the commitment of baking an entire cake. - No oven needed – ideal for hot days or when you want a dessert in a flash.
Skip preheating and waiting; this mug cake is ready in under two minutes, straight from the microwave. Whether it’s summer or you’re just craving something quick, this dessert keeps things easy and efficient. - Rich and chocolatey – deeply satisfying for any chocolate lover.
The combination of cocoa powder and coffee deepens the chocolate flavor, making every bite decadent. Its rich, moist texture is like biting into a traditional chocolate cake, but with a fraction of the effort.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Flour: We're going with all-purpose flour here. If you're opting to use self-rising flour, leave out the baking powder and salt.
- Brown Sugar
- Dutch-processed Cocoa Powder: I highly suggest using Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a less bitter, smoother flavor. However, if you only have natural cocoa, that can work.
- Baking Powder: This will help the cake rise.
- Salt: A little goes a long way! Salt helps balance and bring the flavors together.
- Soy Milk: Or, go for any dairy-free alternative (almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk).
- Black Coffee: If you’re looking for a rich flavor, black coffee helps! Black coffee also adds depth and tenderness.
- Canola Oil: Melted butter or coconut oil works, too.
- Vanilla Extract
What To Eat With Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
This vegan mug cake is delicious on its own, but it can totally be customized with your favorite toppings and additions. Here are some ideas below.
Toppings: powdered sugar, sprinkles, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, dulce de leche, a drizzle of peanut butter, whipped cream, and ice-cream. Fresh fruit (strawberries, mixed berries, bananas), jam, date paste.
Additions/Add-ins: chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds), chocolate chips.
How To Make A Vegan Mug Cake
Making a vegan mug cake is incredibly easy—perfect for anyone who isn’t much of a baker but loves a quick dessert. You truly can’t mess this one up!
Start by combining the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Next, add the wet ingredients—soy milk, black coffee, canola oil, and vanilla extract—and stir until smooth, with no dry spots or clumps.
Then, microwave for 90 seconds, and enjoy!
Why Are Mug Cakes Chewy
There are a few reasons why your microwave mug cake might yield rubbery, chewy results.
- Cooked for too long. You should only need to microwave the chocolate mug cake for about 90 seconds.
- Overmixing. No need to go crazy with mixing the cake batter. Just well enough that there are no dry spots.
- Too much oil. Be sure to follow the exact measurements in this mug cake recipe. A food scale is a great way to get the measurements right. Plus, using a food scale means less cleaning up!
- Inaccurate measurements. Be sure to get the measurements right! Use measuring spoons or a food scale.
Tried out this Vegan Mug Chocolate Cake recipe?
Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, mug cakes are perfectly safe to eat if cooked properly. Just ensure all ingredients are fully mixed and the cake is cooked through.
A rubbery texture usually comes from overcooking or overmixing the batter. Stick to the recommended microwave time and mix gently to avoid this.
Mug cakes are typically made with basic cake ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, milk (or milk alternatives), oil, and flavorings like cocoa or vanilla.
Mug cakes can become hard if microwaved for too long, which dries them out. Measure ingredients accurately and use the recommended cooking time to keep it soft.
Yes, water can be used instead of dairy-free milk, though the cake may be slightly less rich. For a bit more flavor, try adding a dash of vanilla extract.
Craving Chocolate? More Chocolate Recipes
Moist Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour 30 grams
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar 36 grams
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder 10 grams
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons soy milk 45 mL
- 1 tablespoon black coffee 15 mL
- 2 tablespoons canola oil 30 mL
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe mug, mix the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Then, stir in the soy milk, coffee, canola oil, and vanilla extract.
- Microwave for 90 seconds (1 minute + 30 seconds), or until the cake is cooked all the way through.
Notes
- If you prefer not to use canola oil, melted (vegan) butter works fine too.
- I recommend Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother flavor. However, natural cocoa powder may also be used - it just has more of a bitter taste to it. If using natural cocoa, use baking soda instead of baking powder.
- Go for any kind of non-dairy milk.
- Be sure to thoroughly mix the cake batter. No dry spots.
- Adjust cook time accordingly. Add another 10 seconds at a time until done. But, don’t overcook.
- Adjust sugar according to your sweetness preferences.
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