This chocolate mug cake is rich, satisfying and ready in minutes. Mix and cook in the microwave for a healthy dessert your family will love!
This post was originally published on February 6, 2017.
If you love chocolate and you need it fast, then this mug cake is for you! It comes together so fast and is moist, very fudgy and just all around delicious.
Mug cakes are mini cakes that are quickly made in your microwave. They're great when you're short on time but still want something decadent to snack on, or if you don't want an entire cake in your kitchen for a week.
Plus, this vegan mug cake is made from only whole food plant based ingredients, so it's healthier than other versions and the store bought mixes!
Ingredients
There is a secret ingredient here that you will probably think is a misprint, tomato paste, but I promise it isn't. It gives a richer flavor to the chocolate. I got this idea from a children's book I used to read to my class many years ago when I was teaching.
The book was about a little girl scared of thunder, so her and her grandma made cake to help her get through her fear. At the end of the story, they included the recipe, which had tomato sauce, and we used to make it to go along with the teaching lesson.
- Cocoa powder
- Dairy free chocolate chips
- Maple syrup
- Tomato paste
- Dairy free milk
- Baking powder
- Sea salt
How to Make a Chocolate Mug Cake
This mug cake is a great option for a quick and easy sweet tooth craving because it's so easy! (Plus not a lot of dishes to clean up!) Here's what to do:
- Add the dry ingredients into a mug and stir.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients.
- Microwave.
- Top and enjoy!
Serving suggestions
This healthy chocolate mug cake is fantastic as is, but when you want something a little extra special add toppings!
My favorite is to make it S'more flavor! You'll need:
- Mini marshmallows (use the rest of the bag to make my vegan rice krispie treats!)
- Crushed graham crackers
- Vegan chocolate chips
- Non dairy milk
- Tomato paste
- Salt
Here is how I do it:
- Add the marshmallows to the top of the mug cake 90 seconds into microwaving so they can melt.
- While the mug cake is resting mix up the chocolate chips, milk, tomato paste, and salt in a separate microwave safe container and heat in 20 second increments, stirring each time until the sauce is smooth.
- Top the finished cake with the crushed graham crackers and chocolate sauce and dig in!
If S'mores aren't your jam, try out these other tasty topping ideas:
- Crushed nuts
- Sprinkles
- Vegan whipped cream
- Cream cheese frosting
- Fresh fruit
- Peanut butter
Tips and tricks
When you're making this easy vegan mug cake, the following suggestions may come in handy:
- This recipe results in a deep dark chocolate flavor. To make it sweeter use sweet chocolate chips instead.
- Microwaves vary so make sure you do not over cook. The cake is meant to be gooey and chocolaty, not like a firm traditional cake.
- Any dairy free milk will work in this recipe, I like to use cashew milk.
- Make sure to let the cake rest for a bit before digging in. One, so it's not lava hot; and two, it will firm up a little as it sits.
- If you want to make two mini mug cakes at once, you can also divide the batter into two mugs and cook it a little less, start checking at 1 minute.
- A microwave safe coffee mug is best to use for this recipe. It should specify on the bottom of your mug if it's safe to use in the microwave or not.
Common Questions
You can really make a mug cake in any microwave safe container, but the best to use is a standard coffee mug. Just make sure that it's safe to use in the microwave, there's usually a label on the bottom.
Yes it is! The only dangers you might encounter with this recipe are burning your tongue from not waiting long enough to eat, or making them too often because they're just so convenient!
Mug cakes can become chewy for a number of reasons. Overcooking the cakes is the number one culprit, so make sure to watch carefully and not overcook! Some ingredients can also add a chewy texture, but this vegan version avoids that.
Mix up the ingredients in a mug, microwave, let the lava temp cool down to a palatable one and enjoy! It's that simple!
More Vegan Desserts
Satisfying that sweet tooth can seem like an around the clock job sometimes, so it's nice to have plant-based dessert recipes in your back pocket you can feel good about indulging in. Next time the cravings hit, try one of these other vegan recipes:
- Grain Free Sea Salt Chocolate Chips
- Gluten Free Vegan Brownies
- Layered Strawberry Chocolate Mousse
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Espresso Protein Pudding
- Frothy Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Strawberry Milk
- Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Cake
- Vegan Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake
Healthy Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt , optional
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons dairy free milk , I used cashew
Optional toppings:
- 25 mini marshmallows
- 2 rectangles graham crackers , crushed
Optional chocolate sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons non dairy milk , I used cashew
- ¼ teaspoon tomato paste
- dash salt
Instructions
- Add the cocoa powder, chocolate chips, baking powder and sea salt into a mug and mix.
- Add the rest of the cake ingredients and mix to combine.
- Microwave for 2 minutes, stopping to check for doneness at 90 seconds and every 15 seconds after that. Microwaves vary so time may be different. Mine took 2 full minutes.
- You can also divide the batter into two mugs and cook it a little less, start checking at 1 minute.
- Allow to set and cool and devour! Top with optional ingredients if preferred.
- To make the chocolate sauce, simply add all ingredients into a microwave safe container and heat at 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted throughout!
Notes
- This is meant to have a deep dark chocolate flavor. To make it sweeter use sweet chocolate chips.
- Microwaves very so make sure you do not over cook. The cake is meant to be gooey and chocolaty, not like a firm traditional cake.
- If you add marshmallows, add them at 90 seconds so they can melt a bit.
- Nutrition facts are for the main mug cake only.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Mandy
Good freaking lord! This looks INSANE!!! I'll take two ? Gorgeous pics, Sophia!
veggiesdontbite
LOL! Thank you Mandy! It's a great quick and easy treat!
Linda @ Veganosity
Make mine a double! This looks wicked good.
kathy
ahaha I love the list. And my gosh this looks dreamy. Gorgeous photo!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Kathy!! You are too kind. I'd definitely recommend this to wash away any bad days. Or good days. Or really any day!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com
Yes! Thank goodness you wrote that list of how I would know if this lava cake was for me! The first one just spoke to me 😉 Can I just dive into it? Oh wait then I'd really have to make time to shower 😉 Great recipe, Sophia!
veggiesdontbite
Haha! I was hoping I'd reel in some people that way! I'd suggest just diving in and staying that way...it's nice a quiet inside. LOL!
Jenn
I'm all about 5 minute desserts! Especially the kind that I don't have to share with my kids. The tomato paste is a very intriguing ingredients, but I can see how it would work to bring depth. Very creative, mama!
veggiesdontbite
Haha! Thanks Jenn! I swear, do a side by side with tomato paste and without. The flavor profile is so good!
Nissrine
Tomato paste!!!!!???? Oh my. This looks so amazing Sophia. I'm most definitely #1 on your list. Haha. But I don't own a microwave. Me so sad ?
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Nissrine!! You can totally try this in the oven. Bake at 350, maybe for about 6 minutes to start and check it? Add the marshmallow and then bake a few more minutes. If you try it let me know!!
Erin
Awww, Thunder Cake! I haven't thought about that book ina long time! I can't wait to try this!!!!
veggiesdontbite
YES!!! I love that you know that!!
Susy
Wow, tomato paste? how interesting! what does that do? I'm so curious. I LOVE mug cakes
veggiesdontbite
Yes!! It gives a really nice depth to the chocolate flavor, kind of like a vinegar or buttermilk would. It also gives some moisture and helps cut down the fat, a little like using pumpkin. It really is a great addition!! Hope you try it out!
Susy
I most definitely will! can't wait! 😀 Thanks for creating this recipe.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!!
Susy
I have made this recipe, probably 4 times now! And I have made the chocolate sauce by itself. oh my god, so good. And i always add the tomato paste, and it makes things so creamy and tasty. 🙂
YUMM!
veggiesdontbite
Ah! That makes me so happy to hear! Doesn't the tomato paste add great flavor? So many people doubted me on this one. LOL! Thank you so much for letting me know!
TRISH
Sorta new at this so forgive the question... I want to present it the way you have because lets face it this is gorgeous! What type of container did you use to easily remove without it falling apart?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Trish!! There are no wrong questions! I actually updated the recipe to make it more clear, but you eat this IN the bowl or jar you make it in. The one I used in the picture is an 8 ounce jelly jar, I linked to the exact ones in the post. But I have made it in small glass bowls as well and it works great too!
Dreena
oh good geezeus! Is this for real??? Brilliant, Sophia!
veggiesdontbite
LOL!! Thanks Dreena! It is for real. But not for long because it disappears really fast. HA!
The Vegan 8
Who knew a children's book would give you such a great secret ingredient idea, hahaha! That is awesome! I love mug cakes, they are are different, but I love them for a quick treat! I love this super sweet over the top version with all those marshmallows! I love marshmallows, but don't eat them too often, so this would be the perfect special time to break them out!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks sweet lady!! Isn't it funny? But I did a side by side and it gives such a great deep flavor. This is more of a gooey melty lava cake so not a traditional mug cake. You eat it straight from the bowl or jar so you don't even have to take it out!
Becky Striepe
Oh my goodness, this cake is just gorgeous! I need to eeeeeat it!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Becky! I had such great photo weather!
Leah M | love me, feed me
What a decadent beauty!! Seriously craving this so hard right now. Also so so so intrigued by that secret ingredient!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Leah! It's so easy you can solve that craving!! LOL! And the secret ingredient adds such great flavor!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
I qualify for #5 on your list, so that means it's for me! I love that this AMAZING recipe was the result of a mistake. And I'm intrigued by that secret ingredient!
veggiesdontbite
Isn't it so fun when your oops become YESSSSSSS?! Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah yes, the joy of S'mores! Any s'more treat is a winner in my book! Perfect chocolate and marshmallowy decadence for sure..and in a jar? Yes!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Rebecca!! It is so gooey melty sticky perfection!
Wendy
Could you tell me why the tomato paste. I really want to make these, but for some reason I can't get past that. LOL
veggiesdontbite
Haha!! I totally understand, but I promise you that you will be surprised at how good it is. The tang in the tomato paste really brings out the chocolate flavor. It's much like using buttermilk or even balsamic vinegar in desserts. It just gives chocolate a unique extra rich taste!