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Hero shot of hot cocoa mug cake in white ceramic mug with melted chocolate chips on top, dramatic lighting on dark surface

Hot Cocoa Mug Cake

This hot cocoa mug cake is the ultimate 5-minute dessert that delivers bakery-quality results in minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients including hot cocoa mix, this single-serving cake cooks perfectly in the microwave and tastes like a warm hug in dessert form.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Cooling Time 2 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 mug cake
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup hot cocoa mix
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ⅛ tsp fine salt
Wet Ingredients
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Toppings
  • 1 Tbsp milk or dark chocolate chips

Equipment

  • 12-oz microwave-safe mug
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • toothpick

Method
 

  1. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, hot cocoa mix, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl until well combined and no lumps remain.
  2. Add hot water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Whisk vigorously until the batter is completely smooth with no flour streaks visible.
  3. Pour the batter into a 12-oz or larger microwave-safe mug and sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.
  4. Microwave for 60 seconds, then check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs (melted chocolate is okay if you hit a chocolate chip), your mug cake is ready. If the batter is still liquid in the center, heat for an additional 15 seconds, then retest with a toothpick. Repeat until cooked through.
  5. Let the cake cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your tongue, then top with your favorite toppings and enjoy warm. Ice cream, whipped cream, Nutella, caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce all work great as toppings.

Notes

Microwave power varies, so start with 60 seconds and add time in 15-second intervals as needed. The cake continues cooking slightly after removal, so err on the side of underdone rather than overdone to avoid a rubbery texture. For variations, try replacing 2 Tbsp flour with almond flour for a nutty flavor, or substitute 1 Tbsp flour with vanilla protein powder for a healthier option.