20 Mug Cake Recipes
When a sweet craving strikes and you want just one serving, nothing beats a mug cake. These mug cake recipes go from mixing bowl to spoon in a matter of minutes, using a single microwave-safe mug and a handful of pantry staples. Each one below has a short description, the key ingredients, and a few easy steps, so dessert for one is always within reach.
There are exactly 20 recipes, grouped into chocolate favorites, fruit and spice flavors, and fun twists. Use a large mug so the batter has room to rise, and start with the shorter cooking time since microwaves vary.
Chocolate Lovers’ Mug Cakes
Deep, rich chocolate in every spoonful for when only chocolate will do.
1. Classic Chocolate Mug Cake
The original single-serving chocolate cake.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil
- Mix the dry ingredients in a large mug.
- Stir in the milk and oil until smooth.
- Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds.
- Let it cool for a minute before eating.
2. Nutella Mug Cake
A fudgy cake built around chocolate hazelnut spread.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp Nutella, 1 egg, 3 tbsp flour, pinch of baking powder
- Stir the Nutella and egg together in a mug.
- Mix in the flour and baking powder.
- Microwave for 60 to 70 seconds.
- Add an extra spoon of Nutella on top if you like.
3. Molten Chocolate Mug Cake
A chocolate cake with a gooey center.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 1 square of chocolate
- Mix the batter in a mug until smooth.
- Push a square of chocolate into the center.
- Microwave for 50 to 60 seconds, just until the top is set.
- Eat right away while the center is molten.
4. S’mores Mug Cake
Chocolate cake with marshmallow and graham crumbs.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers
- Mix the batter and stir in some graham crumbs.
- Microwave for 60 seconds.
- Top with marshmallows and heat for 10 more seconds.
- Finish with more graham crumbs.
5. Cookies and Cream Mug Cake
A vanilla cake loaded with crushed chocolate cookies.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 2 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, and oil in a mug.
- Stir in most of the crushed cookies.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Top with the remaining cookie crumbs.
6. Peanut Butter Mug Cake
A soft cake with a nutty, rich flavor.
Key ingredients: 2 tbsp peanut butter, 3 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp oil
- Stir the peanut butter, milk, and oil together in a mug.
- Mix in the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
- Microwave for 60 to 80 seconds.
- Cool slightly before eating.
Fruit and Spice Mug Cakes
Brighter, cozier flavors with fruit and warm spices.
7. Lemon Mug Cake
A zesty, bright cake with a fresh lemon lift.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, zest and juice of half a lemon
- Mix the dry ingredients in a mug.
- Stir in the milk, oil, lemon zest, and juice.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Dust with powdered sugar if you like.
8. Banana Mug Cake
A moist cake that uses up a ripe banana.
Key ingredients: 1/2 mashed banana, 4 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp oil
- Mash the banana in a mug.
- Stir in the milk and oil, then the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
- Microwave for 70 to 90 seconds.
- Cool briefly before eating.
9. Apple Cinnamon Mug Cake
Soft spiced cake with tender apple pieces.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp diced apple
- Mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder in a mug.
- Stir in the milk and oil, then the diced apple.
- Microwave for 80 to 90 seconds.
- Serve warm.
10. Blueberry Mug Cake
A fluffy cake dotted with juicy blueberries.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp blueberries
- Mix the batter in a mug.
- Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Microwave for 70 to 90 seconds.
- Let it cool for a minute.
11. Carrot Mug Cake
A spiced cake with grated carrot, like a mini carrot cake.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp grated carrot
- Mix the dry ingredients in a mug.
- Stir in the milk, oil, and grated carrot.
- Microwave for 80 to 90 seconds.
- Top with a little cream cheese if you like.
12. Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake
A cozy fall cake with pumpkin and warm spices.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp pumpkin puree, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp oil
- Mix the flour, sugar, spice, and baking powder in a mug.
- Stir in the pumpkin, milk, and oil.
- Microwave for 80 to 90 seconds.
- Cool briefly before eating.
13. Jam-Filled Vanilla Mug Cake
A simple vanilla cake with a spoonful of jam baked into the center.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp jam
- Mix the batter in a mug until smooth.
- Spoon the jam into the center.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Let the jam cool a little before eating.
Fun Flavor Twists
Playful variations to keep your mug cake rotation interesting.
14. Vanilla Mug Cake
A plain, fluffy base that suits any topping.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp vanilla
- Mix the dry ingredients in a mug.
- Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Top with jam, fruit, or chocolate chips.
15. Red Velvet Mug Cake
A lightly cocoa cake with a classic red tint.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cocoa, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, a few drops of red food coloring
- Mix the dry ingredients in a mug.
- Stir in the milk, oil, and coloring.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Top with a little cream cheese frosting.
16. Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
A vanilla cake with a cinnamon swirl.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil. Swirl: 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp melted butter
- Mix the batter in a mug.
- Stir the swirl ingredients together and drop over the batter.
- Swirl gently with a toothpick.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
17. Snickerdoodle Mug Cake
A soft cake rolled in cinnamon sugar flavor.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil, cinnamon sugar to top
- Mix the dry ingredients in a mug.
- Stir in the milk and oil.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
18. Coffee Mug Cake
A gently bitter cake for coffee fans.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp instant coffee, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp oil
- Dissolve the instant coffee in the milk.
- Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a mug, then stir in the milk and oil.
- Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds.
- Cool briefly before eating.
19. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug Cake
A thick, cookie-like cake in a mug.
Key ingredients: 1 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp white sugar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 egg yolk, 4 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp chocolate chips
- Stir the butter, sugars, and yolk together in a mug.
- Mix in the flour, then the chocolate chips.
- Microwave for 40 to 60 seconds, until just set.
- Eat warm with a spoon.
20. Coconut Mug Cake
A light cake with a tropical coconut flavor.
Key ingredients: 4 tbsp flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp coconut milk, 2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp shredded coconut
- Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a mug.
- Stir in the coconut milk, oil, and shredded coconut.
- Microwave for 70 to 90 seconds.
- Top with extra toasted coconut.
Tips for Perfect Mug Cakes
- Use a large mug. The batter rises as it cooks, so leave plenty of room.
- Mix until just smooth. Overmixing can make the cake rubbery.
- Undercook slightly. Start with the shorter time; the cake keeps cooking from residual heat.
- Measure carefully. Small batters are sensitive, so level your spoons.
- Add toppings after cooking. Fresh fruit, jam, or a scoop of ice cream finish the cake nicely.
Final Thoughts
Mug cakes are the fastest route from craving to dessert, and with 20 recipes to choose from you need never be bored. Keep flour, sugar, cocoa, and oil on hand, and a warm cake is always only a minute or two away. Grab your favorite mug and pick a flavor.