Craving something rich and chocolatey but don’t want to bake a whole vegan chocolate cake? I’ve been there. And that’s exactly when a vegan chocolate mug cake comes to the rescue.
Instead of making a whole cake or prepping a dozen cookies, single-serve desserts like chocolate chia seed pudding, edible cookie dough, or a quick chocolate peanut butter smoothie can hit the spot without the mess, or the wait.
But when those chocolate cravings strike hard, this vegan chocolate mug cake is warm, gooey, and done in 90 seconds.
This is your go-to recipe for a vegan chocolate cake in a mug. It’s fast, satisfying, and made with pantry staples. Let’s get into it.
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Why You’ll Love This
- A vegan chocolate mug cake is everything you want in a dessert: moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey. And best of all? No oven needed.
- It’s portioned for one, which means no leftovers and no temptation to overdo it. Just the right amount of indulgence to satisfy a late-night sweet tooth.
- The simple ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. And if you're short on time, this microwave-ready cake takes just 90 seconds to cook. It's faster than waiting in line at the bakery.
Into mug cakes? You HAVE to try our oatmeal mug cake!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- All-Purpose Flour: Creates the structure for the cake. You can also use self-rising flour—just skip the baking powder and salt.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness. White sugar can work in a pinch, but brown sugar gives a richer flavor.
- Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: Brings that smooth, less bitter chocolate taste. Natural cocoa powder can be used, but it’ll have a slightly tangier edge.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and stay fluffy. Skip this if using self-rising flour.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the chocolate flavor. Just a pinch makes a big difference.
- Soy Milk: Offers moisture and richness. Almond, oat, or coconut milk also work well.
- Black Coffee: Deepens the chocolate flavor and adds tenderness. You can swap with water or more non-dairy milk if needed.
- Canola Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft. Melted vegan butter or coconut oil are also good options.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a subtle warmth. You can leave it out, but it adds a nice touch.
Step-By-Step Recipe
- Mix the dry ingredients. In your mug, stir together the flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. This helps avoid clumps later.
- Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the soy milk, black coffee, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and no dry spots remain, but don’t overmix!
- Microwave and enjoy. Microwave on high for about 90 seconds. Let it cool for a minute or two, then dig in while it’s still warm and fudgy.
Tips for the Best Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
- Don’t overcook. 90 seconds - 2 minutes is usually perfect, but any longer and the texture can get rubbery.
- Mix just enough. Overmixing can lead to a dense, chewy cake.
- Measure carefully. Too much oil or flour can throw things off. Use a food scale for accuracy and less cleanup.
What To Serve With Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
This vegan chocolate mug cake is perfectly delicious on its own, but toppings can take it to the next level. A scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a swirl of vegan whipped cream adds creaminess that pairs beautifully with the warm cake.
For extra flavor and crunch, try fresh berries, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut. You can also drizzle on some peanut butter, chocolate syrup, or fruit jam.
My personal favorite? A scoop of ice-cream, sliced almonds, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
You can keep it simple or dress it up - either way, it’s a win.
How to Store Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
This recipe is best eaten fresh, right after it’s made. Since it only takes a couple of minutes, there’s really no need to store it. But if you absolutely need to save it for later, cover the mug and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds before serving.
More Recipe to Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings
Did you try out this vegan chocolate mug 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!
Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake FAQs
A mug cake is a single-serving cake that’s mixed and “baked” directly in a mug using a microwave. It’s a fast, easy dessert that doesn’t require an oven or special equipment.
Eggs aren’t necessary in mug cakes, especially vegan ones. Ingredients like oil, non-dairy milk, and baking powder work together to create a moist, fluffy texture.
Avoid overmixing the batter and don’t microwave for too long. Using the right amount of oil and liquid also helps prevent a chewy or dense result.
You can, but the flavor will be milder and much sweeter since hot chocolate powder contains sugar and milk solids. For a rich chocolate taste, cocoa powder is the better option.
From mixing to microwaving, a mug cake takes about 5 minutes total. The actual cook time in the microwave is usually just 90 seconds - 2 minutes.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a subtle warmth. You can leave it out, but it adds a nice touch.
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, whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add the soy milk, coffee, canola oil, and vanilla extract, then stir until smooth and well combined.
- Microwave for 90 seconds, or until the cake is fully cooked and set in the center.
Notes
- If you’d rather skip the canola oil, melted vegan butter is a great alternative.
- I recommend using Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother, more mellow flavor, but natural cocoa works too.
- Any non-dairy milk will work here, so use your favorite. Make sure to thoroughly mix the batter until no dry spots remain.
- Microwave times can vary, so adjust as needed. Add 10 seconds at a time until the cake is cooked through, but be careful not to overcook. Sweetness is flexible too, just feel free to adjust the sugar to taste.
- This mug cake pairs beautifully with a cozy cup of coffee, tea, or homemade vegan hot chocolate.
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