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    Home / Recipes / Desserts

    Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Oct 7, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Jump to Recipe
    hot chocolate mug cake pinterest image.
    hot chocolate mug cake pinterest image.

    This easy and delicious hot chocolate mug cake is the perfect winter treat! Made with just a few simple ingredients, this mug cake can be enjoyed in less than 5 minutes!


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    Need a quick and easy dessert? This hot cocoa mug cake is a perfect option!

    Made with just a few simple ingredients, this rich and chocolatey cake can be ready in minutes. Serve topped with whipped cream or marshmallows for an extra special treat.

    This cake is perfect for those who crave something sweet but do not want to make an entire cake.

    The hot chocolate mug cake is also great for those who live alone or do not have access to an oven. All you need for this recipe is a mug, some simple ingredients, and a microwave.

    Ingredients

    This microwave cake is perfect for using up hot cocoa mix when you aren't in the mood for hot chocolate! You only need a few more ingredients to make the cake.

    hot chocolate mug cake ingredients.

    Here's a list of everything you'll need:

    • Hot cocoa mix
    • All-purpose flour
    • Sugar
    • Baking powder
    • Butter
    • Water

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    This cake is so easy to make! Just dump all the ingredients into a mug or ramekin, then microwave until done. That's it!

    dry ingredient mixture in cup.

    Stir together dry ingredients in a microwaveable mug.

    butter and water added to mug cake mix.

    Add the wet ingredients to the mug.

    mug cake batter in cup.

    Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

    cooked hot cocoa mug cake in cup.

    Microwave 60-90 seconds until cake is cooked throughout.

    Variations

    Any of the 1.38 oz packets of Swiss Miss Cocoa should work. We really like the salted caramel flavor!

    hot cocoa mug cake on spoon

    Tips

    • Start with a good quality hot chocolate mix. This will be the base of your cake, so you want it to be flavorful.
    • Add some instant coffee to the mix for an extra boost of flavor. Coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate so adding just a little bit of instant coffee will make your cake taste more chocolatey!
    • Use milk instead of water for a richer cake.
    • Stir in a spoonful or two of Nutella for an extra decadent treat.
    • Top your mug cake with whipped cream and mini marshmallows for the ultimate cozy dessert.
    hot chocolate mug cake with spoonful on table.

    Serving suggestions

    Top your mug cake with whipped cream and mini marshmallows for the ultimate cozy dessert.

    For a happy hour treat, add in an Irish coffee!

    Storage

    The best way to store a hot chocolate mug cake is wrap the top of the mug or ramekin with plastic wrap over cooled cake. This will help to keep the cake moist and prevent it from drying out. You can store at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

    Another option for storing your hot chocolate mug cake is to freeze it. To freeze your mug cake, remove from mug or ramekin and place it in an airtight container and put it in the freezer for up to a year.

    hot chocolate mug cake with spoonful taken out.

    FAQ

    Can the mug cake be baked in an oven?

    If you don't have a microwave or choose not to use it, just bake the cake in a 350°F/177°C oven until cake tests done.

    How long will a mug cake keep?

    In an airtight container, the cake will keep for up to four days at room temperature, two weeks in the refrigerator, and up to a year in the freezer.

    hot cocoa mug cake topped with marshmallow showing spoonful.

    Related recipes

    Looking for a few more single serve desserts? These are a couple of our more popular recipes.

    • Vegan single serve cookie
    • Hot chocolate mug cake
    • Edible single serving cookie dough

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    Recipe

    hot chocolate mug cake topped with mini marshmallows.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

    4.91 from 62 votes
    This easy and delicious mug cake is made with a hot cocoa mix and a few other simple ingredients! It can be prepared in less than 5 minutes!
    Prep Time4 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 minute min
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings (Adjustable): 1
    Calories: 475kcal
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    Ingredients

    • 1 packet Swiss Miss® Hot Cocoa Mix 1.38 oz single serving size
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons sugar use more or less to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter
    • 2 tablespoons hot water

    optional ingredients:

    • chocolate chips
    • candy pieces
    • chopped nuts

    optional toppings:

    • mini marshmallows
    • whipped cream
    • chocolate sauce
    • ice cream

    Instructions

    • In a large coffee mug, mix all the dry ingredients together until uniform.
    • Add butter and water stir until it forms a smooth batter.
    • Stir in any optional ingredients to customize your mug cake.
    • Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until it tests done. The top of the cake should be slightly wet in the center and spring back when gently pressed.
    • Let cool slightly. If desired, sprinkle on optional toppings. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Any of the 1.38 oz packets of Swiss Miss Cocoa should work. We really like the salted caramel flavor!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 457mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 3mg

    Equipment

    Microwave
    Microwaveable cup
    Spoon

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.91 from 62 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cam

      October 23, 2022 at 10:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious and easy to make!

      Reply
    2. Journa Liz Ramirez

      October 24, 2022 at 5:08 am

      5 stars
      This is a new favorite! It is easy to make and it is so delicious. I would love to make this on repeat. YUM!

      Reply
    3. Kali Alexandria

      October 24, 2022 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      The perfect dessert for the cozy season! I will be making this a ton, THANK YOU!

      Reply
    4. Beth

      October 24, 2022 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      This just might be the perfect cake recipe. It's super fast and easy, and it tastes like hot chocolate?! I mean, come on!

      Reply
    5. nancy

      October 24, 2022 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      wow what a easy dessert to make!! it really hit the spot late night too!

      Reply
    6. Candace

      March 14, 2023 at 9:57 pm

      2 stars
      Sorry but this was one big flop for me. The cake remained a gooey glob in the bottom of the mug even after cooking it longer than the recipe called for. However, the batter that completely coated the inside of the mug is as hard as cement and will need a long soaking in hot water to come clean. It smelled good though. I will admit I am not the best cook in the world so perhaps it was my error and not the recipe's fault.

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        March 15, 2023 at 9:02 am

        You may have had too much liquid or not enough flour. Otherwise, whisking in an egg should help to bind it all together.

        Reply
    7. Joyce

      November 10, 2024 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Can't wait to try. Thank you

      Reply
    8. Laura Alcorta

      February 19, 2025 at 10:17 pm

      2 stars
      Mug cake came out very chewy and not enjoyable. I did use another brand hot cocoa powder mix and I used milk instead of water.
      I cook it in microwave for 2 minutes.
      disappointed.

      Reply
      • Lisa MarcAurele

        February 20, 2025 at 9:24 am

        Results will vary depending on brand of mix used as well as liquid used. I also don't recommend microwaving that long. The cake is better when cooked to slightly undone (still moist in middle).

        Reply

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