Chocolate Mug Cake (in a jar too!)

If you’re looking for a quick sweet fix, but don’t want an entire cake hanging around tempting you, then making a single serving of chocolate mug cake is what you need! With the help of your microwave, you’ll be enjoying this cake in just a few minutes!

Why this recipe works

Sometimes you just need something to satisfy a sweet tooth. Using our single serve chocolate mug cake recipe means you won’t be tempted to eat more than one piece like you might from a full sized cake. This microwave mug cake is made from scratch, not a box mix, and we’ll show you how to make up a full jar so you can make one any time you want (in a snap!). Makes a great gift too!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

FLOUR – We are using all-purpose flour in our mix. We have not tested this recipe with anything else other than plain flour. If you decide to experiment, we would love to hear your results!

FAT – We have successfully used canola oil and avocado oil for this recipe. Coconut oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil would also work.

CHOCOLATE – For the chocolate flavor, we use cocoa powder, but not Dutch process which has a stronger flavor that will affect the results in your final cake. We also sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the warm cake.

How to Make Chocolate Mug Cake from Scratch

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

For a single mug:

Use a fork to stir together all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a 10 to 12 ounce microwave-safe mug.
Microwave on high until the cake is cooked, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Pause cooking once halfway through and open the microwave door to prevent the cake from overflowing.

EXPERT TIP: The amount of time will depend on the wattage of your microwave. If you feel like it’s not done, continue cooking in 15 second increments.
If desired, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Serve while still warm.

Topping Ideas

We’ve suggested chocolate chips because they are easy, and they’ll melt on the top of the hot cake. Here are some other fun ideas!

Vanilla ice cream
Nutella
Peanut butter
Caramel sauce
Whipped cream

chocolate mug cake in a jar with labels and tags

To make a 32 oz jar:

Making up a jar of mug cake mix from scratch is great for whenever you want a quick and easy treat. It’s also ideal for gift giving! Think Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, and more!

ingredients for chocolate mug cake in a jar

First you’ll need to change the quantities from the single serve recipe. I’ve done that for you, here’s what you need:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Whisk all the dry ingredients together and place in a 32-oz wide mouth mason jar.
Put the chocolate chips into a foldable sandwich bag (a zipper bag will not fit nicely into the jar) and secure with a twist tie. Pack the cake mix into the jar as best you can and nestle the bag of chips on top. Add lid and store in a cool, dry place, like your pantry.

EXPERT TIP: If you can’t make enough room for the chocolate chips, remove 1/2 cup of the mix and make a mug of chocolate cake! Another option is to put the chocolate chips into a cellophane bag, tie it shut, then tie around the rim of the jar.
To make a mug, measure out 1/2 cup (tightly packed) cake mix into your microwave safe mug. Add 4 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir until completely combined.
Microwave on high until the cake is cooked, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Pause cooking once halfway through and open the microwave door to prevent the cake from overflowing.
If desired, sprinkle a tablespoon of chocolate chips on top. Serve while still warm.

To give as a gift – FREE tags and labels

We’ve made up some super fun (and free) printable jar labels and tags that you can use for your jar of mug cake mix! For the labels, we used this sticker paper. For the tags, we used jute and baker’s twine to tie them to the jars.

You can download the labels and tags below.

Chocolate Mug Cake – Tags ->Download

Chocolate Mug Cake – Labels ->Download

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this mug cake in the oven?

Mug cakes are usually made in the microwave because most mugs are not oven safe. This recipe is formulated for the microwave.

How can I make this dairy free?

Instead of using regular dairy milk, you can use unsweetened almond milk as a non-dairy option. Other nut milks will likely work as well.

Whether you’re looking for a gift in a jar idea or just need a simple single serve dessert, this chocolate mug cake is a delicious solution!

More Cake Recipes (worthy as gifts!)

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Amanda Davis

President at Amanda's Creative Studio, Inc.

Amanda Davis is the entrepreneurial mom of four grown children and four step children. She and her husband, Chef Antoine, love to cook together creating recipes for this blog. Amanda also make kid's crafts and creates decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!