This rich hot chocolate microwave cake may be super quick to make but it's good enough to impress too! Great for a quick and easy homemade dessert as well as for a last minute dessert for guests!
A few years ago someone asked me if I'd ever made a microwave pudding before. I hadn't. They raved about it, how easy it was, how good it tasted and I thought it was worth a try.
They even printed out the recipe for me. Somehow or other though, I never actually got around to making it. I suppose I thought it was cheating a bit. Microwaves are for heating up soup or making porridge in my little world.
If I'm going to bake something, I feel I should make it properly.
Anyway, time passed and I lost the recipe I was originally given to try.
The inspiration for this chocolate microwave cake
It wasn't until I came across this recipe for Mug Cake or Five Minute Cake on Culinary Flavours that I remembered that conversation. I decided to adapt the recipe and make my own version, using butter instead of olive oil, less sugar and adding milk chocolate chips.
So what ingredients do you need to make it?
To make my rich chocolate mug cake you'll need:
- Butter - I use unsalted but you could use salted instead. Just don't add any extra salt.
- Self-raising flour - If you only have plain flour, use that but add a little extra baking powder.
- Baking powder - This just helps the mug cake rise but you can miss it out if you're using self-raising flour.
- Sugar - I use caster sugar but you could use soft brown sugar for a more caramel flavour.
- Milk chocolate chips - Use dark chocolate chips if you want the cake to be less sweet.
- Cocoa powder - Or cacao. You could probably even use drinking chocolate although I haven't tested it.
- An egg
- Milk - Any milk will be fine. I use semi-skimmed but whole or skimmed are also fine. You can also replace it with a plant based milk.
- Vanilla extract
- Salt - I just add a tiny pinch but it's totally optional!
How do you make a microwave mug cake?
This cake is really easy to make. I just melt the butter and then whisk all the ingredients together. I whisk them in a slightly larger bowl and then transfer the mixture to individual cups bake.
You don't need an electric whisk. A hand-held whisk or just a fork is fine.
What is the mug cake like?
This chocolate microwave cake is really rich and chocolatey. Some microwave cakes can be dry and heavy but this one is perfect. The chocolate chips melt and some of the chocolate sinks to the bottom to form a gooey layer at the bottom of the cup.
Or on top if you turn the cakes out of their cups! It turns the cakes from plain chocolate sponges into much more impressive desserts.
It may not be quite as good as a homemade chocolate fondant, but it is just as good as something like Gü! What's more, it's far cheaper and easy to throw together at the last minute.
What to serve with chocolate microwave cake?
As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats vanilla ice cream with these rich chocolate cakes. Of course, whipped or pouring cream would also be delicious, as would custard.
Can you adapt this chocolate microwave cake?
I wouldn't change much about this cake but you could tweak it a little. For example you could use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. You could add a few raisins too.
I used butter but you can substitute it for a plain vegetable cooking oil.
Ingredient measurements
I've included gram and tablespoons measurements in the recipe so you can use whatever is easiest for you. If you are using tablespoons to measure out the ingredients make sure you use level tablespoons of the ingredients. Othewise the quantities can end up being quite different!
More Microwave Bakes!
If you want to try more microwave baking then do check out my microwaved marmalade sponge pudding. It can easily be adapted to use jam or another preserve too.
Recipe
Chocolate Microwave Cake
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter 40g, melted
- 2 tablespoon self raising flour 30g
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoon sugar 50g
- 4 tablespoon milk chocolate chips 40g
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder 15g
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoon milk 45g
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a bowl in the microwave. Then put all the ingredients into the bowl and mix until there are no dry bits and you have a thick batter.
- Divide the batter between two tea cups.
- Microwave for 1 minutes on high.
- Alternatively, cook all the batter in one larger cup or bowl for 2 minutes.
- Put a plate on top of the bowl and turn it upside down to turn out the pudding. Serve immediately while still hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you make this chocolate microwave mug cake or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
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Hannah White
What wattage microwave do you use? Just anxious not to over/undercook it...
Corina Blum
Hi Hannah
Mine is a 1000 watt microwave. I'll update the recipe soon. Hope you enjoy the cake.
Corina
Charlie Henderson
Looks great! I want to make this but was wondering what sized eggs are best to use?
Corina Blum
Hi Charlie
I usually use large eggs but it will work with medium too.
Corina
Carmen
Hiya!
This looks amazing, I was wondering if I could prepare the batter and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days before microwaving?
Corina Blum
Hi Carmen, I'm so pleased you like the look of this. As it has baking powder in and self raising flour I wouldn't advise preparing the batter in advance as it will probably not rise. To make it a little quicker when preparing you could measure out all the dry ingredients in advance but mix them into the egg, milk and vanilla just before microwaving.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Such a great idea! Looks amazing 😀
Corina Blum
Thanks Eb! It is absolutely delicious.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
These are so perfect for when you want a chocolate fix. Delicious.
Corina Blum
They definitely are and so so good for a microwave cake!
Carrie
I've never made a microwave cake before but I need to try this, it looks delicious!
Corina Blum
I hope you like it Carrie! My kids and I loved it and it's perfect if you need a dessert but don't want to have to put the oven on.
Jo
This looks so decadent and yummy!! Wouldn't normally think of making a microwave cake but I'll definitely be trying this one! Thanks for a lovely looking recipe!
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like it Jo! It really is good, especially for a microwave cake.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
This looks so light and fluffy Corina. And I love that it's so quick in the microwave too. Perfect for those nights when someones snaffled all the dessert! #CookBlogShare
Corina Blum
Exactly! And we are always having nights where there just isn't anything for dessert so having ideas like this that are quick and easy definitely helps.
Karen S Booth
That looks so delicious and I love these kind of microwave puddings as they’re so quick and easy to rustle up! Thanks for linking up to Cook Blog Share Week 12! Karen
Corina Blum
You're welcome Karen and thanks for hosting! I know it takes a lot of time hosting a linky.
Balvinder
Wonderful! I just love tat you made it in microwave. Happy Sunday!
Corina Blum
Thanks Balvinder! I love the fact that it's possible to make cakes in the microwave if you need something quickly!
Jennifer
You cake looks really yummy!!
Jen #79
Leslie @ La Cocina de Leslie
That looks amazing! And I love the pudding that formed on top. Makes me wish I still had a microwave.
Thanks so much for linking up with the FOTMC! 🙂
Kavey
That looks a lot better than the one attempt I ever made at microwave cake, must try again... if it comes out like yours I'd be very pleased!
Thanks for your comment on my new challenge post, I can't wait to see what everyone makes!
Kristen
How fun to make a cake in the microwave. My mom used to bake bread in one a long time ago...it came out with no crust! Your cake looks great.
Corina
I'm intrigued about making bread in the microwave. I love my breadmaker and would never stop using it, but I think it would be fun to try microwave bread just once. Thanks for the idea.
Miz Helen
This is a great recipe, easy and quick, it looks very good. Thanks for sharing and hope you have a wonderful week!
Miz Helen
#7
Kim Bee
Oh my, this would totally hit the spot right now. It looks so inviting.
Alyssa
This is so easy to make, that is so great, I've never seen anything like it before. Stopping by from CCC#45.
Lisa~~
So fast and delicious, great looking cake.
If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Crazy Cooking Challenge entry: Double Chocolate Meyer Lemon Mousse Cake
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
kothiyavunu
Thanks for stopping by kothiyavunu and lending me to your lovely space 🙂
Such a easy gorgeous and soft chocolate cake corina
Janice
Spongy things do work well in the microwave, somewhere I have a recipe for a chocolate sponge pudding, probably very similar to your cake. Great for instant pud!
Teri @ The Freshman Cook
Wow, this is so unique! I have never made a cake in the microwave either, but why not. Especially great for late night cravings that must be satisfied! Your cake looks delicious!
Phil in the Kitchen
This looks delicious. Many years ago I had a bet with someone about who could make the quickest dessert and I made a few things in the microwave some of which were OK as I remember it. Maybe I should try again - my poor microwave is so neglected.
Corina
It's definitely worth trying. Let me know if you do try it. I hope it wasn't just first time lucky for me!
Rebekah L.
Wow, I'd have never thought to cook a cake in the microwave! Looks yummy
Katerina
I am so glad you liked it Corina! I know that its texture is not as the real one baked in the oven, but it is a very good alternative when you want something sweet and fast, plus you don't have to eat it for days! Yours looks even prettier than mine!
Corina
Yours looked so delicious or I wouldn't have made it! I think it's the gooey chocolate top that makes this one look so good.
shuhan
ok i hardly ever use the microwave, I'm a little scared of it to be honest. but that cake is making me go"woahhh". I can't believe it's done in a microwave oven?! and that it took 2 minutes and no effort at all.
Dave at eRecipeCards
DELICIOUS! And so fast and easy. Love the pudding that comes out of this
Thanks for sharing, eRecipeCards.com
Dave
Tandy
I have never tried this either! Looks divine 🙂
Amy @ A Little Nosh
Microwave cakes are a new obsession in my house. Looks great!
Corina
I can understand why. I'm going to try out a few more now I've discovered that this one is so much nicer than I expected.
maha
yummy cake..looks great
frugalfeeding
I haven't either, but it looks so delicious. Every part of me tells me to hate the microwave, but how can I in this case? It looks incredibly dense and moist - the perfect chocolate cake!
Juliana
Oh! This a recipe that should have handy when craving for a fast dessert after dinner...looks great and I love that this cake comes with a layer of pudding...
Thanks for this fast chocolate cake and hope you are having a great week Corina 🙂