Sometimes you just want chocolate cake… right now.
Not tomorrow.
Not after preheating an oven.
Not after washing five mixing bowls.
This 5-minute chocolate mug cake is rich, fudgy, and made right in the microwave. It's naturally gluten free if you use coconut flour, and it's perfect when you need a quick single-serve dessert without making a whole cake.
It's cozy, chocolatey, and dangerously easy.
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Why You'll Love This
- Ready in about 5 minutes
- Single serving (no leftovers calling your name)
- Gluten free with coconut flour
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Customizable (add chocolate chips, nuts, espresso powder…)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2½ tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons almond milk (or any milk)
How to Make Chocolate Mug Cake
Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe mug.
Mix thoroughly until smooth. Make sure there are no dry pockets of coconut flour.
Microwave for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave.
Let sit for 2 minutes before eating (it continues setting as it cools).
That's it. Chocolate cake. In a cup.
Flavor Variations
- Add a pinch of espresso powder
- Stir in peanut butter
- Add chopped walnuts
- Sprinkle flaky salt on top
Chocolate Mug Cake (Gluten Free)
Chocolate Mug Cake is the perfect quick dessert! Rich, fudgy, and made in the microwave in just 5 minutes - with a gluten free option using coconut flour.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon coconut flour
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2½ tablespoon melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon almond milk
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large microwave-safe mug.
- Mix until smooth.
- Microwave for 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before eating.
Notes
- Cooking time varies by microwave.
- Cake continues setting as it cools.
- Add 1–2 teaspoons milk if batter seems too thick.
- Best eaten immediately.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Silk Almond Milk Unsweetened Original 32 oz (Pack of 6) Shelf Stable, Unsweetened, Unflavored Dairy-Alternative Milk, Organic, Individually Packaged -
Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract, Certified Organic, 4-Ounce Glass Bottle -
Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter - Unsalted 8.oz (2 pack) -
Nature Nate's 100% Pure Raw & Unfiltered Organic Honey; Product of Brazil and Uruguay; Packaged in 16 Ounce. Squeeze Bottle; Enjoy Honey's Balanced Flavor and Wholesome Benefits -
365 Everyday Value, Organic Cocoa Powder, 8 oz -
Bob's Red Mill Resealable Organic Coconut Flour, 16 Ounce (Pack of 4)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 652Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 262mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 5gSugar: 40gProtein: 15g
Want MORE chocolatey recipes? Try my Healthy, Paleo, Gluten Free Brownies!
Karissa says
I was running low on some groceries...so, I omitted the egg, butter, and milk and used 1/2 cup applesauce instead. Since I'm not sure which ingredients make it rise, I also added 1/4 tsp baking soda. It was fabulous!
I've made it the old way before, too, and while dry it was still yummy. 🙂
Ronalyn Hurley says
Karissa, I just made it your way and it was delicious!
Renee Galligher says
I tried this and it was rich. Too rich. I made two - one for each my husband and me. We ended up only eating 1/2 and saving the remaining for the next day topped with fresh whipped topping - I know that's not Paleo but I didn't add sugar. Next time I make this I will reduce the cocoa by 1 TB, add more honey and more almond milk.
Alycia says
I used coconut oil instead of butter and almond milk to keep it paleo. It ended up being really dry. Thoughts?
tsaitina says
Hey Alycia, You can maybe try adding more almond milk or coconut milk. Or if all else fails, since the dryness is caused by the coconut flour, you can try using a combo of coconut flour and almond flour OR just use almond flour. Hope it turns out well!
Michele L. says
This was da bomb! Thanks for posting! 🙂
tsaitina says
Glad you liked it! Some times you just crave for something sweet!
Ronalyn Hurley says
I found it to be too dry so I'm going to play around with the recipe a bit and see if I can adjust the moistness and texture more to my liking. Your recipe is a great starting place. Thanks!
tsaitina says
Hey! No problem, I would suggest adding coconut milk if it's too dry. I do that sometimes 🙂
Kaitie says
Delicious. Topped it off with some coconut whipped cream. Thank you for sharing!
hannah says
you can also do this with cake mix then. just put 1/4 cup of cake mix in a coffee mug and add water ( just so its the consitance of pudding) and put in the microwave for 1 minute
Stella says
Yes, I suppose you could. But then it would not be paleo it would be be processed cake mix with chemicals and things you cannot pronounce. Disgusting.
Fiona says
First attempt it was very dense and dry and only came halfway up the mug. So I added a teaspoon of baking powder and an extra spoon of almond milk and 2nd attempt was a full mug and fluffy and AWESOME! (I also substituted the honey for stevia, no reason really)
Claudia says
How much stevia in place of honey?
Courtney says
It sounds yummy, but this is not paleo. Butter is (obviously) dairy. Dairy is not included in the paleo diet. In fact, it's essential rule is no dairy.
Tina T. says
Hi Courtney! Thanks for dropping by, while butter does contain dairy, many people that eat the paleo diet actually allow it in the personal diets. A good resource on the facts about Butter and Paleo diet is: http://paleodietlifestyle.com/the-many-virtues-of-butter/. If you're one of the paleo dieters that absolutely cut out dairy... don't worry! You can easily substitute the butter with coconut oil 🙂
Joele Mangen says
I used organic coconut butter! And vanilla almond milk:)
Doryss says
Or you can also keep it (more strictly) paleo by using ghee...the super butter 🙂
Maral says
I made this with no butter, only used a few drops of coconut oil to grease the cup. also didnt use any milk, i added more water to the mixture till i got the right consistency and then microwaved it for about 2.5 min. PERFECT ! for the final result check my post on instagram
http://instagram.com/p/g23oMcFlGO/
Evie R says
Us strict paleo eaters just use non-dairy butter
Tina T. says
Awesome! You can also use coconut oil if you'd like!
April says
I made this last night and it was amazing!! Soooo rich!! 🙂 So rich in fact that I couldn't finish it so I shared it with my hubby! I used almond flour instead of coconut and added some Enjoy Life chocolate chips. Delish!! 🙂
Shantel says
This was A-MA-ZA-ZING!!!!!! So rich, and so decadent! I lined my mug with parchment, so fell out of the mug like a charm. Added a tablespoon of milk chocolate chips to the batter, and served with whipped coconut cream, slivered toasted almonds and strawberries... Total keeper! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Charity says
Im so thankful I ran into this on a craving night! Its very tasty! A bit dry so I poured akmond milk over the whole thing and it was sooooo good! Thanks!
Tina T. says
Glad you liked it, Charity! You can also try adding coconut milk too. I do that sometimes 🙂
NIki says
Just as a question...I like my cake to be sweet (I HATE dark and even semi-sweet chocolate...) but I am hesitant to add more honey because I don't know how much it will change the chemical reactions. Any suggestions? Maybe an icing recipe that can aid in the sweetness? Adding the 2T of honey was basically pointless for me, in terms of sweetness. Otherwise, I am eager to try making this again...I loved the consistency and density of the cake and portioning was perfect. Before this, anytime I wanted chocolate cake I would have to make a whole one and 3/4 would go to waste, even after sharing with my husband and 4 kiddos.
Tina T. says
Hey! If it's not sweet enough for you, one thing I can think of is maybe try adding almond butter as an icing when it's done. Or, if you want to increase the amount of honey, add a little more coconut flour since you like the consistency of the recipe as is. Hope this helps!
Cindy says
Ummm YUM! I saw this on Pinterest and came right to your website then printed the recipe and tried it immediately. Oh my gosh this was so yummy. I didn't have coconut flour but made it with Almond flour and it still turned out A-MAZ-ING! Hubby loved it too.
Tina says
Haha, sooo glad you liked it! It's definitely ok to mix it up and use almond flour! Sometimes I use both so I can still get a little bit of that coconut flour taste in it and not have it too dry 🙂
Emma says
Can you cook it in the oven?
Tina T. says
Hey! Though I've never tried it, I am sure you can as it is all the ingredients to make a chocolate cake anyway! Definitely make sure you have an oven-safe mug if you're going to do this. I would try baking in the oven at 350° for 15-25 minutes depending on your oven. Let me know if you try this out and how it goes! Thanks!
Emma says
I tried it out and it worked fine, but it took a bit longer to cook. 🙂
Tina says
That is awesome to know! How long and at what temp did you try?