Chocolate Nutella {2-Minute} Mug Cake
This chocolate Nutella {2-Minute} mug cake is as easy as throwing ingredients in a mug, but the result is a moist chocolate cake that is sure to satisfy.
All too often, I find myself craving over-the-top desserts like this Double Chocolate Mousse Torte. Or this Unbelievable Chocolate Cake. Or this Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake.
Need I go on?
Of course these cravings occur on days I have no business entertaining even the thought of tackling such a dessert. Especially now when I have a list a mile long of projects-to-do-before-baby-comes. And I’m not talking fluffy hair bow projects. I’m talking, clean the ceiling fan projects that are so desperate to be done, the inches of dust are beckoning to me and haunting my dreams at night.
In fact, if I calculate correctly, I can complete one project every day and still not finish my to-do list before the baby arrives. And that’s counting on her being two weeks late. I’m having a major lazy pity party while in the back of my mind trying not to succumb to the reality that if I had just kept up on some of these leeetle housekeeping things, I wouldn’t be so overwhelmed now.
Ahem. I digress. My point is – sometimes I want something homemade and chocolatey and divine and decadent but I simply can’t justify the time and effort for a crazy wow-worthy dessert.
Enter this little mug cake. My sister, Em, sent the recipe to me. And I was skeptical. I mean, I just generally don’t mix microwave and baking. Things can get really weird. Fast. But this works. Really works!
A handful of simple ingredients are thrown together in a large mug and microwaved for less than 2 minutes. The result is a dense, moist chocolate cake that will satisfy any craving.
We’ve made this dozens of times since my sis sent me the recipe and my kids seriously think it is the coolest thing in the world that we can have cake on the table in less than 3 minutes. Actually, so do I.
And for those who also cringe at “baking” anything in the microwave – I promise, this is really delicious. BUT (there’s always a but), eat it immediately and err on the side of underbaking it a bit. The texture gets a little weird after sitting for a while. In our house, it doesn’t sit around long at all, if you know what I mean, but there you have the disclaimer anyway.
One Year Ago: Chicken Pot Pie Crumble
Two Years Ago: Hawaiian Haystacks: Chicken Sauce Reinvented
Three Years Ago: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Chocolate Nutella {2-Minute} Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon nutella
- Dash of vanilla and salt
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a large cocoa or coffee mug until smooth.
- Microwave the cake on high until puffed, about 2 minutes, watching carefully as microwaves can vary in strength. If desired, drizzle chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce on top.
- Scoop cake onto a plate or in a bowl and serve immediately with a scoop of ice cream, if desired, but which I highly recommend.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: sent to me by my sister, Emily, as given to her by her friend, Suzanne N.
Stephanie – nutella is a chocolate hazelnut spread with German origins, I believe. Anyway, it is widely available in most any well-stocked grocery store but if you don’t have it, I think the super chunky peanut butter would be just fine and add great texture. This seems to be a pretty adaptable recipe.
I don’t have nutella, in fact I’ve never bought nutella in my life. What is nutella? And, the only peanut butter I have on hand is the super chunky kind. Do you think that would work? I’m dying to try this!!! I think it would be an excellent after school treat for my kiddos.
Ben and I whipped this up last night–delicious!! And I could really go for one right now…darn you! 🙂
I was skeptical of this one– baking in the microwave? But last night when the husband had meetings and the kids and I did an easy supper, I started thinking it might be fun to whip this up with them for dessert. Five minutes later, the three of us all shared it with a scoop of frozen yogurt and it was delicious. I think the chocolate chips make it. It may be a dangerous thing to have chocolate cake this readily available . . .
You just inspired me to not only make this cake, which by the way was delicious and easy peasy, but also to clean my ceiling fan blades. Done! and Done! Why do we torture ourselves staring at the disgusting pile of dust for weeks, months, maybe years when it only takes 10 minutes to clean? I now feel much better. Thanks!
I had this picture in my head of everyone looking at your new recipe pics and making the Homer Simpson drooly noises. 🙂 Great recipe as usual!
I recently bought an attachment for my Bosch mixer – I’ve named “her” Helga – and I think that you need to buy one for yourself . Your unborn child would want you to have one. 🙂 It’s a Bowl Scraper for Universal Plus Bosch and I found the best price ($15.00) on Amazon.
Happy baking!
I can’t wait to try this! My baby cravings say, “Thank you!”
excellent–a little bit of magic contained in a mug. 🙂
I just tried my first mug cake last month- and it wasn’t great. I KNOW your recipes are great so I’m SOOOO looking forward to doing this! Thank you!
We made these last night, 2 in mug and 1 in a bowl. Using the bowl was easier and it didn’t rise too much so it was fine. Very cool idea because I always have nutella around and can always use an easy dessert to quite my villagers!
made these with my acheivement girls tonight. it was a hit! they loved it and it was the perfect easy snack for them. they were so excited to go home and make them for their families. thanks mel!
Oops! I shouldn’t have made this! It was TOO good, now how am I going to stop?
Just made this for my daughter. I substituted peanut butter for the nutella as she is allergic to hazelnuts. So wonderful!!! She has a big history test to study for tonite and this really made her happy. It is so very yummy. Will definitely be making again soon. My hubby and I are sharing the other half. Thank you!
So, I made a mug cake that almost wasn’t this mug cake at all (cooked in a bowl, no less), because I lacked key ingredients. I did use the basic idea, and it was delicious! But they really are much better under baked than even a little over baked. Fun fact: I threw a pulled-apart caramel square on top, and it definitely didn’t do what I expected. It sort of sank to the bottom and make a really delicious chewy base. Mm.
I’m so proud!!! I gave the recipe to your sister…now I know she really did like it!! Yay!! I made your blog!!! (which I LOVE by the way!) This naughty little mug cake has rocked my world! It has become a quick fix for all! I substitute applesauce for the oil and almost cut the calories in half. We love it…you will too! Don’t be afraid!!! Just don’t overcook it!!! 🙂
Congradulations on the baby,
Quick question, ( I didnt see it asked in previous commens but if I missed it I apologize) I dont have a microwave, have you ever done this recipe with a convection oven? It looks tasty
Hi Marijke – I have never used a convection oven for this so I’m afraid I don’t know conversions to the recipe but if you try it with good results, let me know!
Make a nutella frosting!! 🙂
This was definitely tasty. Much better than the mug cake recipe I have been using, which is rather spongy but good enough for an emergency craving. This cake turned out pleasantly cakey! I’m curious about the type of cocoa powder you use. Do you have a preference? The only minor complaint I had was that the flavor of the Nutella didn’t really shine through for me. Any thoughts on that?
Good luck with your to-do list. It has got to be hard with four kids to look after. I’m sure you’re doing better than you think.
Vicky – I usually use Ghirardelli or Hershey’s cocoa. I’m not much of snob about baking cocoa, I have to confess. I think adding a dollop of nutella to the top of the warm mug cake would do wonders to helping the nutella flavor shine!
I have tried a similar mug recipe but I used half nutella and half bischoff spread. You know, the bischoff cookies like the ones they give you on Delta flights? They now have that in a spread that is similar to nutella texture. Absolutely amazing!!!
I just made this (like, I’m still eating it). One recipe goes a LONG way, which is saying a lot for this chocolate cake lover. I would make 1 mug to split between two people. Plus, it’s very rich, ice cream would have been nice to help cut the decadence of the chocolate. I’ll have to get some vanilla ice cream next time.
It was certainly very quick and easy to make, thanks!
I am adding this to my ziplist right now, which keeps gettting longer! I tried microwaving brownies in the microwave one time and they were hard and gross and I said it can’t be done. But this looks possible and yummy and fun. My boys would love it too! And I think I’ll try the subbing applesauce variation since I need chocolate but I don’t need fat!
It’s funny you posted this today, as I just found a couple of recipes for mug cakes that I have been wanting to try. Yours has a few more ingredients than the ones I’ve seen, so now I will have to try them all:)
The mind-meld continues! I just made a mug cake for the first time last week. The recipe I used was a little different but basically the same (no nutella, though). What I wanted to share with you and your readers is that the second time I made it, I halved it and used applesauce in place of the oil. (Can you see I’m trying to justify this treat on a regular basis?! 🙂 It was still delicious so feel free to play around with it. Thanks, as always, for your wonderful recipes and inspiration. Menu planning would be much less fun w/o you!
Dear your sister Emily,
Thank you. This looks AH-MAY-ZING!!!!!!!!! And perfect for my cravings. My taste buds will thank you my waistline will not!
-Mame
First, I could eat Nutella straight from the jar and I love chocolate cake, so this looks so yummy! Second, I hate microwaves, so I’m glad you added the disclaimer. 😉
Third, I found your blog through a link on Bold Turquoise’s blog post about menu planning. You have tons of yummy recipes that I will be trying. Thank you! This is exactly what I have been looking for since I have really been struggling with feeding my family lately. I think I’ve pinned at least ten of your recipes so far on my Pinterest. I’m so excited to try all these.
So excited to try this. I have chocalate cravings all the time and this just might do the trick!
This looks amazing! I’m a new mom so this will be wonderful when I only have a few minutes to make something sweet. Thank you!
Andrea – we’ve made this recipe a million times (ok, not that many but it feels like it) and with all my kids’ hands in the mix, it definitely doesn’t get made the exact same way every time, which basically means it seems to be a very adaptable recipe – so yes, I’d say go ahead and sub in the hot fudge sauce (or use another type of “butter” like soy butter or sun butter) and give it a try! The real key is just not to over”bake” it. Good luck!
What an amazingly fast substitute for your awesome decadent chocolate dishes 😀
Definitely need a recipe like this to whip up!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Marbled Muffintopcookiecake Hybrid
This looks divine!! Do you think I could substitute hot fudge sauce for the nutella? My daughter is allergic to nuts and so nutella is a no no. I would hate to make this for the rest of us and have her miss out. Thank you.
I’ve always wanted to make a mug cake. I bet this was delicious!
Congrats Mel on your baby girl arriving in April! I’m sorry to admit that I have been living in a haze for the last few months (because I will be having a baby any day now), and didn’t even realize you were expecting. I too am worried I won’t get to a few things that I still have remaining on my list.
I am excited to try this recipe, though it seems a bit dangerous that it’s so easy to make and will give me chocolate cake whenever I crave it!
Thanks again for all the great recipes!
Brilliant!
I really need to try out one of these mug cakes-this one with nutella looks awesome!
I just discovered mug cakes and they are DANGEROUS. Love this recipe!!
My kids are going to LOVE this! I can already picture them taking this recipe with them for their away-at-college arsenal. My oldest is only 13 but I want them to be aware that they’ll have to sustain themselves somehow.
My plan is to teach your 4 meatball recipes to them so they can impress future friends and boyfriends. Teriyaki, pineapple, sweet and sour, and your favorite…with cream sauce.
Wink. Oh and, thanks to your sister Emily!
Yep, it’s a girl! (Or say they say…I’ll believe it when I see it!)
HOW did I not realize you were pregnant?!
and this sounds YUMMY!!!
You are an evil genuis! Can’t wait to try both variations!! 🙂
The BEST present I received when I had my twins was a cleaning service for three months – one month before and two months after birth. It was awesome.
Thats what I was wondering…girl? 🙂
Oh, YES! This looks amazing, Mel. Great recipe and really droolworthy results… Gotta try this!
Number 5? You are a very brave woman! Does talk of hairbows mean it’s a little girl? I just love your website and you gave me the courage to jump off the high dive and start making all the bread needs for our family…of 3. Just this weekend my chinese daughter was rolling out some perfect flour tortillas, and the hubs was suggesting ingredients to add to the focaccia dough. I love the way it has brought all of us in the kitchen together!
What are you waiting for? Call a maid and get started on those fluffy hair bows!
Yeah, the more pregnant I get, the less able I am to get stuff like that done at all. It’s just too hard and too painful to move around.
Of course, the day I gave birth to my third, I cleaned ALL day long, almost without stop. I should have noticed I’d suddenly gone manic and figured out something was up.
This sounds like so much fun. My kids are on winter break this week and I’m thinking this will be a hit if things get really out of control. Anyway, Mel my advice to you on the whole baby to do list is to just hire a maid for a one-time deep cleaning. Being pregnant is not easy in the first place and it’s even harder when you have other children and an awesome food blog to keep up on. Or just enlist the help of your VT. That’s why we have them.
I have a few Nutella-loving friends who will be so happy when I forward this to them. Looks yummy!
Might just have to have dessert after breakfast this morning! Thanks.
You just made me nutella addicition way worse……
Mel- don’t worry about the dust on the fans and all of that other cleaning stuff. I promise you the baby won’t notice it or care one bit if you haven’t gotten to it! I totally understand the need to “nest” before the baby comes, but given the fact that you have four young boys to care for, I think you deserve a pass when it comes to the dust bunnies! 🙂
This chocolate mug cake looks so easy and delicious! I have to confess that I have never baked anything in the microwave. I won’t be afraid to make this, though, because if you love it I know I will love it, too!