Easy Single Serve Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe Perfect for Quick Desserts in a Mug
A quick and easy single serve chocolate lava cake made in a mug, delivering a rich molten chocolate center in under 5 minutes. Perfect for solo indulgence or last-minute desserts.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 30 grams or 1/4 cup)
- 4 tablespoons sugar (50 grams or about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (15 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons milk (45 ml, whole or 2%)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or chunks (semi-sweet or dark chocolate)
Instructions
- In your mug or a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons (30 g) of all-purpose flour, 4 tablespoons (50 g) of sugar, 2 tablespoons (15 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly with a fork or whisk to ensure even distribution. This should take about 1 minute.
- Pour in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of milk, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well until a smooth batter forms without lumps, roughly 1-2 minutes. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- Gently press 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips or chunks into the center of the batter, pushing them slightly down but not mixing in.
- Microwave on high for 70-90 seconds, starting to check at 70 seconds. The cake edges should be set while the center remains slightly gooey. Avoid overcooking.
- Let the cake rest for 1-2 minutes after microwaving to firm up while keeping the center molten.
- Enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or powdered sugar.
Notes
Use a wider mug for even cooking and to prevent overflow. Start with 70 seconds cooking time and add in 5-10 second increments if needed. Let the cake rest after microwaving to set edges and keep the molten center. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour. Dairy-free milk and chocolate chips can be used for vegan adaptation. Optional additions include instant espresso powder, caramel bits, or peanut butter cups for flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug cake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Protein: 4
Keywords: chocolate lava cake, mug cake, single serve dessert, quick dessert, microwave cake, easy chocolate cake