After creating my own homemade hot cocoa mix so I can indulge in a hot chocolate drink whenever I want, it occurred to me- it’s not just for beverages. Toss in some basic baking ingredients with the cocoa mix and tada! You have got yourself a deliciously gooey hot chocolate mug cake ready to enjoy.

Speaking of hot chocolate, there’s a fun similarity between the drink and today’s cake- both are ready in a minute! Except, it’s even better because the cake version is warm and gooey, and you get to enjoy the chocolaty goodness in a solid form. And since it’s a mug cake, you don’t need to bring out the electric beater, bowls, or mixer- just a simple mug and spoon is good enough for this recipe!

Still, feel like you are missing something vital from your favorite drink?

I bet it’s the toppings! Throw in marshmallows, whipped cream, and all the other stuff you usually add to your drink and make your very own personalized hot chocolate mug cake that’s the ultimate cozy treat!

Fun Topping Ideas To Upgrade Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

Like I said before, toppings are what make this mug cake extra special. Let’s look at some of the tasty options you can add to your hot chocolate mug cake:

Caramel Sauce

Warm caramel sauce drizzled over the mug cake makes for a fantastic topping that adds a rich, buttery taste to every bite. I like to add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a delicious salted caramel combination!

Marshmallows

A handful of mini marshmallows pair well with both hot chocolate drinks and mug cakes. Add the marshmallows while the mug cake is still warm so that they melt beautifully.

Graham Crackers

To add some crunchy texture to every bite, stir in crushed graham crackers into the cake batter. What I like to do is create a thin layer of graham crackers in the middle of the cake, so when you dig in, you get a delicious, crunchy surprise!

Peanut Butter

Before microwaving the mug cake, add a dollop of peanut butter on top and wait for the ‘beep’- you will be greeted with a gooey, peanut butter delight.

Chocolate Syrup

Drizzle chocolate syrup or hot fudge over the mug cake and enjoy a double dose of chocolatey goodness in one serving!

Flavor Variations You Must Try!

Too adventurous to settle for a classic recipe? I’ve got you covered with some unique flavor variations for hot chocolate mug cake:

Peppermint

Add ½ tsp of peppermint extract to the cake batter to enjoy a delicious contrast between chocolate and minty flavor!

Nuts

Turn your soft and fluffy chocolate cake into a crunchy delight with chopped nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans.

Cinnamon Spice

For those who love the scent of spices, try adding ¼ tsp of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to enjoy a warm, aromatic flavor in your mug cake.

Tiramisu

Swap cocoa mix with instant espresso powder and enjoy a delicious Italian-inspired dessert named ‘Tiramisu’!

Hot Chocolate Mug Cake in a mug with a spoon

Hot Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 1

Total Time 3

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Flex your baking skill- or creativity- when short on time with today’s hot chocolate mug cake! Enjoy a warm, chocolaty treat with this hot cocoa mug cake.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

▢ ¼ cup Whole Milk
▢ 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
▢ ½ tsp Vanilla Essence

Equipments

Instructions

Add Dry Ingredients

Grab a 12-oz microwave-safe mug and lightly grease it with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
In the mug, add ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp of granulated sugar.
Pour ¼ cup of hot cocoa mix into the mug.
Sprinkle ¼ tsp of baking powder and ⅛ tsp of salt to help the cake rise and balance the flavors.
Use a small whisk to combine all the ingredients until well combined.

Mix Wet Ingredients

Start adding the wet ingredients by pouring ¼ cup of hot water into the mug.
Stir in 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and ¼ tsp of vanilla extract.
Mix everything together thoroughly until the batter is smooth and no clumps of flour remain.

Add Chocolate Chips and Microwave

Sprinkle 1 tbsp or milk or dark chocolate chips on top of the batter. You can also mix them in if you prefer an even chocolate flavor throughout the mug cake.
Pop the cake in the microwave and heat it for 60 seconds.
Use a toothpick to see the cake’s doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs, the hot chocolate mug cake is done. If the batter is still liquid, it may require an additional 15 seconds.

Cool The Cake and Add Toppings

Once cooked, carefully remove the mug from the microwave.
Let the cake cool for a few minutes before serving. The cake continues to set as it cools.
Top the cooled mug cake with freshly whipped cream, extra chocolate chips, mini marshmallows or Nutella.

Serve and Enjoy!

Sprinkle a little powdered sugar or cocoa powder for a finishing touch.
Serve and enjoy your warm, gooey hot chocolate mug cake.

Nutrition Facts (Click to view) Hide

Nutrition Facts

*This calculation is done by assumption calculated by an API. Please use our nutrition information just to get an idea about the recipe, consult a nutritionist if you need exact nutrition information.

Tried this recipe?

Oh, I love this hot chocolate mug cake because of how simple the whole thing is! Although I have used my own stash of cocoa mix, you can totally use store-bought cocoa mix for this recipe.
It’s a quick, forgiving recipe, so even if you mess up a little, like adding too much hot water or not mixing enough, the cake will still turn out more or less perfect. It’s the type of recipe you don’t want to pass up without trying, and once you do, I bet you will love it just as much, if not more, than the drink version!

Recipe FAQs

How Long Does This Hot Cocoa Mug Cake Stay Fresh?

I usually don’t have leftovers as it’s a single-serving dessert that’s best eaten fresh. However, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How Do I Make My Mug Cake Fluffier?

To make your cake fluffier, use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour. Also, consider adding an extra ¼ tsp of baking soda to make it a bit taller.

What Can I Use Instead Of Vanilla Extract?

If you don’t have vanilla extract, you can use other flavored extracts such as almond extract, peppermint extract, or hazelnut extract. Personally, I find cinnamon extract to work really well with this recipe.

Can I Make This Recipe Without Cocoa Powder?

Cocoa powder is one of the core ingredients of this recipe, but you can still enjoy a delicious chocolate cake by using melted chocolate or chocolate chips instead.