Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake
A dense, fudgy cocoa mug cake that cooks in the microwave in about a minute. Rich chocolate flavor with a pinch of salt, ready faster than you can preheat anything.
- Total
- 9 min
- Prep 5 · Cook 2 · Rest 2
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
You'll practice: Whisking
- Sweet
- Quick
- Microwave
Instructions
-
Put 2 tbsp butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds, until fully melted. Let it cool for 1 minute so it does not cook the egg.
~1 min
Melting butter first lets it cool slightly, so it blends evenly without scrambling the egg when added later.
-
Add 4 tbsp self-raising flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 pinch salt to the mug. Stir with a fork until no cocoa lumps remain.
~1 min
Mixing dry ingredients before liquids prevents cocoa lumps and distributes salt evenly through the batter.
A pinch of salt in the batter sharpens the cocoa and keeps the cake from tasting flat. Do not skip it.
Whisking Stir with a fork in circular motions, scraping the bottom, until no dry pockets or cocoa lumps remain. Stop as soon as the batter is smooth to avoid overworking it.
-
Crack in 1 egg and add 3 tbsp milk and the melted butter. Stir with the fork until the batter is smooth and glossy, scraping the bottom of the mug.
~1 min
Stirring until glossy develops a smooth, uniform batter, which helps the cake rise evenly in the microwave.
Whisking Stir with a fork in circular motions, scraping the bottom, until no dry pockets or cocoa lumps remain. Stop as soon as the batter is smooth to avoid overworking it.
-
Microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds. The cake is done when the top looks set and slightly domed and a fork inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. If the center is still liquid, microwave in 10-second bursts.
~2 min
Microwaving in short bursts prevents overcooking, since wattage varies and excess heat makes the cake rubbery.
Microwave wattage varies a lot: start at 60 seconds and add 10-second bursts. Overcooking turns the cake rubbery, so pull it while the center is still slightly moist.
-
Let the mug cake stand for 2 minutes to finish setting, then eat it warm straight from the mug.
~2 min
Standing lets residual heat finish setting the center, giving a fudgier texture without overcooking.