Hot Cocoa Mug Cake
Looking for a quick treat for one? Try our recipe for hot cocoa mug cake! Mug cakes are super easy to make, plus they are ready in less than 10 minutes!
Why you will love our recipe for hot cocoa mug cake
- Mug cakes only take a few minutes to prepare. All you have to do is mix everything together, add it to a mug, and pop it in the microwave while you prepare the toppings.
- They are perfect for a quick treat after a cold day playing in the snow. Because they are so easy, it is one of our favorite beginner recipes for beginner bakers or teens and children who want to learn how to cook.
- This is a one-serving recipe. This is a hot cocoa mug cake for one, but you can absolutely double or triple the recipe if you need more.
- Our mug cakes are made without eggs! This makes them allergy-friendly plus vegan!
Ingredient notes
Flour: all-purpose flour is all you need to make our hot cocoa mug cake recipe. You can also use gluten-free flour, but we haven’t tried this ourselves.
Hot cocoa mix: you can’t make hot chocolate mug cakes without your canorite hot cocoa mix. We used Nesquik, but you can use any brand or make your own hot cocoa mix!
Oil: Instead of butter, we use vegetable oil for these little cakes. This adds moisture and creates a soft crumb.
How to make a hot cocoa mug cake
As always, you want to start by mixing the dry ingredients before you add the water and oil. You do this to prevent overworking the batter, which can result in a rubbery cake. Once the dry ingredients are completely combined, you add the wet ingredients and stir until you have a smooth batter.
Once everything is combined, you should have a batter that looks like this. A few lumps are fine, but you should not see any large clumps or dry flour.
If you’re adding chocolate chips to your mig cakes, now is the time to stir them into the batter.
Pour the batter into your mug and place it in the microwave. It should only take a few minutes to bake, so check after 1-2 minutes if your cake is done. Let it cool until it is warm but not too hot before adding your favorite toppings.
Toppings and add-ons
What is hot cocoa without toppings? To finish your dessert, you can add toppings like marshmallows, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, or whipped cream. This is totally optional, but it does add to the wintery hot chocolate feel. You can also sprinkle a little ground cinnamon, speculaas spices, pumpkin spice mix, or cayenne over your hot cocoa mug cakes!
Our tips for the best mug cake
- Use heat-proof mugs. You don’t want your mug to break because it got too hot.
- Make your own hot cocoa mix! While these little cakes are amazing with store-bought hot cocoa mix, there is something special about making everything from scratch for your loved ones.
- Decorate the hot cocoa mug cake with your favorite toppings. We’ve created a list of our favorite toppings, but tell us, what is your favorite hot cocoa topping?
- Put your baking soda through a fine sieve. While there aren’t many things that can go wrong with this recipe ,you need to make sure your baking soda is lump-free fee
Frequently asked questions
yes! Add red food coloring to make red velvet mug cake, or fresh fruit like strawberries or cherries to make the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert.
I don’t see why not, but keep in mind to use a silicone tin. Never place a metal muffin tin in a microwave!
Yes! If you use a vegan chocolate, these hot cocoa mug cakes are completely vegan!
Storage
Hot cocoa mug cakes are at their best when they are freshly made, but you can store them at room temperature for up to three days. Frozen, they will keep for three to six months. If you’re ready to enjoy your mug cake, simply take it out of the freezer, let it thaw on your counter, and warm it up in a microwave or preheated oven.
More of our favorite cake recipes
Hot Cocoa Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup hot cocoa mix
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the dry ingredients to a small bowl.
- Mix until combined and add the water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Stir until you have a smooth batter and pour it into your mug.
- Place your mug into the microwave and bake it for 1 minute before checking if your hot cocoa mug cake is done.
- Let it cool before you add your favorite toppings and serve it warm.
