Last updated on March 13th, 2022
Craving chocolate cake? Is the temptation somewhat…dire? Here’s a single serving of dark, decadent, pleasantly moist chocolate cake that will surely scratch your gotta-have-chocolate itch. The batter is mixed — and baked — in a coffee cup.
Click the “play” arrow to watch the video:
Now, if you try this cake, I hope you’ll post your review in the comments section below. Please keep in mind that the cake is intended purely for emergency situations!
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And here’s the printable:
A dark, decadent, and pleasantly moist chocolate cake that is mixed and baked directly in a coffee cup or mug. Perfect for emergency situations.
Ingredients
- Vegetable spray (for greasing the cup)
- 1/4 cup self-rising flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- Small splash of pure vanilla extract
- Small handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional for serving: confectioners' sugar, whipped cream or ice cream
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 12-ounce, microwave-safe coffee cup or mug with vegetable spray. Then tip the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into the cup, and mix thoroughly with a fork. Add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla, and mix again with the fork to create a batter. Use the same fork to gently stir in 5-10 chocolate chips. Sprinkle 5-10 additional chocolate chips on top of the batter.
- Bake in the microwave oven for 50-60 seconds. If desired, sprinkle more chocolate chips on top of the cake, and bake another 5-10 seconds. Devour at once, with or without a dusting of confectioners' sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream.
Sarah says
I have been highly skeptical of these supposed “cakes in mugs,” but Kevin, when I saw your post, I knew it was the one to try. I even broke out my Kerry Gold butter. And so now, here I sit, with a delicious mug of cake in front of me! I love your site and always use it as a fun break from or reward during long days. Thank you for your work on this site and always lovely and humorous disposition.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Sarah – Awesome review. So glad you tried — and liked — this cuppa cake!
Jan says
I’m at work so I can’t try this right now. Although believe me if I had the ingredients in my office, I’d be heading for the break room. This intrigues me because there is no egg in it.
Jan says
Ok, so I tried the written directions and it was good tho a little dry. Then I watched the video and the ingredient measurements are different. Video says half a teaspoon baking powder and a quarter cup of milk. I’ll try it again tomorrow (any excuse for chocolate cake!) and compare results.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jan – Thanks for the alert! Printable is fixed now: 1/4 cup milk. I did use 1/2 teaspoon baking powder in video; 1/4 teaspoon will do the same trick. Please try the cake again — it really is wonderful — especially when made with the correct amount of milk!!!
Ronnie says
Would love to try this, but lacking self-rising flour, could I make a substitution?
Thanks, really enjoy your blog!
Ronnie
gloria says
This sounds like a great reward after the rigors of your garden tour!
Barbara J Chaisson says
I watched the video and thought to myself that it would be easier to mix the ingredients in a bowl that is larger than the coffee cup and then pour the mixture into a coffee cup for the actual microwaving. I like to have lots of room for a potential mess when mixing…I found the cup too restrictive for me. Of course, then you have another dish to wash or you could use that dish as long as it is microwaveable instead of the cup. Am planning to make this because sometimes…nothing but chocolate cake will do!
Nancy E Zinno says
YUM! I didn’t have any self rising flour so I went on line and found how to make it. Since they said to use 1 cup of regular flour and your recipe called for 1/4 c self rising, I made 4 times your recipe of the dry ingredients and divided it. I now have 3 pks of dry chocolate cake ingredients ready for when I MUST have chocolate cake. What happened to the 4th you ask? Ha….it’s in my tummy!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Nancy – I’m so glad you tried — and liked — the cake. Also, love that you made individual packages of the dry ingredients for future emergencies!
phyllis says
My husband adores chocolate, so I will make this easy, yummy dessert for him tomorrow. Thank you for the recipe. However, please, pretty please play more music on your piano!!!!!
Megan Black says
Kevin, I have no idea why any one would buy self-rising flour! It is pricey and can be made by simply adding baking powder to flour. 1 cup flour and add 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt. I hope Ronnie sees this! Kevin, do you have some other reason to buy it? Not meaning to be critical but it stumps me! Love all your posts!!
Ronnie says
Thanks,Megan and Nancy!
Ronnie
Sandra says
Hi Kevin,
Always get additional ideas (make ahead and pkg.dry ingredients for future
use) from reading the comments. Thanks Nancy! Thanks for all the good recipes you share with us.
Sandra
Pat says
Just love this quick and easy recipe and the hints from readers. Think I’ll mix up some packages and when someone is stopping by, you have a dessert in 90 seconds. Thanks Kevin. And I LOVED the piano parts. Would love to hear you play an entire piece.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Ronnie, Megan, and Nancy — I love teamwork. Thank you!
Linda says
I’m going to get the ingredients for cuppa cake and hot chocolate from scratch to have on hand! 🙂 Thanks!
Nancy says
Wow, that was too easy and wonderfully delicious! The perfect treat. Thanks!!
Linda A says
Oh, the creative music addition works so well! Keep that up, Kevin.
You crack me up! Even your music is humorous. Lovely, with a spark
of humor in this video!
The chocolate cake in a cup looks good, too.
Margie says
My husband was watching your video over my shoulder and wants to run out to buy chocolate chips now! I might let him! Thanks!
Lana Denning says
If I was to use enamel cups, and bake in the oven, what is the time and temperature?? Micros are on mars as far as I think should be…… I have a folder of reason’s for that, and want to make your cup’a cake.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Margie – You have a wonderful husband!
Hi Lana – This cake was developed for microwave baking. I’ve no idea how the cake would turn out if baked in a regular oven, but if you need a guide, I’d suggest 350°F for 20-25 minutes. (On a side note, if you are not in a hurry, you could make my super-duper, standard-oven-baked Chocolate-Cabernet Sauvignon Cake!)
Mark says
Do you have a recipe for Cassoulet?
Judith says
So Kevin… can you use Almond Milk? And Stevia to taste?
Thoughts?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Mark – Cassoulet is on my list!
Hi Judith – I’ve only made this cake with the ingredients described. If you make your cake with almond milk and stevia, please report the results!
Pat says
Hi Kevin
I made this last night to end our grilled lamb chop dinner! Wonderful! I only used 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar and it was fine. Now I’m wondering if I could inject some coffee into the mix for a mocha flavour. I’ll let you know. Raspberries go great with it too. This would be a great birthday party project for kids. I’m sending the recipe to my grandson. Thanks for sharing, Kevin..
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Pat – That’s music to my ears! A mocha version would be delicious indeed.
Janet G. Metzger says
Kevin,
any possibility that this will work with coconut flour or chebe flour?
Thanks!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Janet – I’m not sure about the two flours you mentioned, but I think the recipe might (might!) work with King Arthur’s GF “Measure for Measure” flour.
Lori says
OMGosh, where was this recipe when I was prego and craved unbaked cake batter? This is perfect to make for the hubby, so a whole pan of cake can’t tempt me as I, sigh, change my eating …oh heck, diet. Lol.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Lori – Oh, the wild cravings that occur during pregnancy! Let me know how the cake turns out for you I mean your husband.
Elaine Morin-Olly says
Hi Kevin ! thanks for validating chocolate cake emergencies. Made & ate this tonight, just what I needed. Loved the fact it only had 1 Tbsp of butter. I’m going to make it again adding a few raspberries with the chocolate chips. I’ve been enjoying your site for years.
Jan Stommes says
I didn’t have any self-rising flour, so I used Bisquick and left out the baking powder and salt. What an extremely moist cake! I made two so we would each have one, but they were so rich that I think I will make one to split next time…. maybe add chopped pecans and drizzle it with caramel sauce? Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Elaine Morin-Olly – Glad the cake worked out for you! Chocolate and raspberries…YUM.
Hi Jan Stommes – Nice to know that Bisquick works for this recipe. Yes, the cake is moist, rich, and oh, so satisfying!
Valerie says
What a *fun* video…thanks for taking the time to share with us! 🙂
Lori says
I suppose this isn’t a cake that should be ate at 10:30 at night, as I had company over and it was my plan to make this, but the conversations got carried away and now 5 out of my 6 coffeee cups are waiting for melted butter and milk….and it just sounds so good…..
AnnieW says
This is the best so far of all the Mug Cakes I’ve tried. Absolutely Tops! Who needs another mug cake recipe when you’ve got Kevin’s?
BTW, I didn’t have any self-rising flour so I used pastry flour and simply added an extra pinch of baking powder.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi AnnieW – So glad you tried — and enjoyed — this gotta-have-chocolate-right-now cake!
Carla Carpenter says
Is there a way to prep this before a dinner party and the just pop them into the microwave right before serving?
Carla Carpenter
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Carla – This recipe is intended for single-serving emergency situations. A better option is Chocolate Pots de Creme, which can — and should — be made in advance. The individual servings are GREAT for dinner parties! Click here for my recipe: Chocolate Pots de Creme.