This straightforward gluten free mug cake bakes up tender and wealthy in simply 1 minute—proper in your microwave. It is good while you’re craving one thing chocolatey however don’t need to warmth up the kitchen or make a large number.
After a number of testing (and some rubbery fails), I landed on the right mixture of substances for a moist, egg-free cake that works in any microwave. I am going to present you the best way to make it good—whether or not you are at residence or at work!


Why this recipe works
This recipe skips the eggs (which might flip rubbery within the microwave) and depends on the proper mix of flour, cocoa, fats, and baking powder for a young, fluffy texture and a wealthy chocolate cake.
A contact of chocolate within the middle helps lock in moisture because the cake cooks, whereas examined timing and wattage steering ensures it bakes good—regardless of your microwave.
The end result? A single-serve chocolate cake with wealthy taste and a smooth chew, prepared in about 1 minute.


Elements and why they matter


There are just a few substances on this single-serving chocolate dessert. This is some background on the aim of every:
- Gluten free flour – A gum-free mix like Nicole’s Finest, my 3-ingredient mix or Bob’s Pink Mill 1-to-1 offers simply sufficient construction with out going gummy or dense.
- Cocoa powder – Provides wealthy chocolate taste. Dutch-processed or Hershey’s Particular Darkish will give the deepest taste, however pure cocoa powder works, too.
- Baking powder – Supplies all of the rise with out eggs, so verify the date to verify yours is contemporary.
- Salt – Brightens the flavour and balances sweetness.
- Granulated sugar – Retains the cake tender and candy. You’ll be able to regulate the quantity to style.
- Impartial oil or melted butter – Provides richness. Use oil to make it dairy-free and tremendous straightforward, or butter for additional taste.
- Milk – Provides moisture to deliver the batter collectively, and a few taste.
- Chopped chocolate, wafers or chips – Soften into the middle for added moisture and fudginess.
Professional suggestions
Take advantage of your single-serve cake with these easy however important suggestions:
Do not skip the chocolate middle
Press a number of chocolate chips or chunks into the center of the batter earlier than cooking. They soften simply sufficient to maintain the feel moist because the cake cools.
Stick with a ten ounce mug—or larger
The batter rises so much whereas cooking. Utilizing too small a mug means overflow, mess, and uneven cooking. If you happen to’re unsure, place a small plate beneath the mug simply in case.
Alter your microwave’s energy
Alter the ability of your microwave to approximate 1000 watts by microwaving at a diminished energy degree if mandatory. Remember that underbaked is healthier than overbaked.
Wattage is often listed on the within of the oven door, on a label on the again, or within the proprietor’s handbook. You can even check it to estimate the wattage. Mine is 1200 watts, so I both microwave the cake for as much as 1 minute 20 seconds at 80% energy, or nearer to 1 minute at 90% energy.
Let it cool earlier than diving in
It’s piping scorching out of the microwave. Use oven mitts, and provides it a minute to sit down, particularly when you’re including toppings like whipped cream or ice cream.


Ingredient substitutions
This recipe is already naturally egg-free. Right here’s the best way to regulate for different dietary wants:
Dairy free
Use a impartial oil or melted vegan butter rather than common butter. Swap the milk with any unsweetened dairy-free possibility (almond milk works nice). You’ll want to use dairy-free chocolate, too.
Vegan
Comply with the dairy free swaps above, and verify that your sugar wasn’t processed with bone char (some manufacturers aren’t vegan-friendly).
- ¼ cup (35 g) gum free gluten free flour mix, (See Recipe Notes)
- 2 tablespoons (10 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, pure or Dutch-processed
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons (24 g) granulated sugar, (cut back to 1 1/2 tablespoons (18 g) or improve to three tablespoons (27 g))
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) impartial oil (canola, vegetable, grapeseed, peanut, and many others.), or unsalted butter, melted (See Recipe Notes)
- 3 tablespoons (1.5 fluid ounces) milk, any variety, at room temperature
- ½ ounce (14 g) chocolate, chopped, or chips or wafers (optionally available)
Forestall your display from going darkish
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Grease a microwave-safe mug or mason jar with no less than an 8-ounce capability.
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Within the mug, place the flour mix, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and sugar, and whisk to mix effectively.
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Add the oil or melted butter and milk, and whisk till well-combined and easy.
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Add the optionally available chocolate and press it down into in regards to the center of the batter.
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Place the mug in your microwave oven and prepare dinner at about 1000 watts for 1 minute. (See Recipe Notes about microwave wattage.)
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Check with a toothpick to see if it comes out principally clear. If not, prepare dinner for as much as one other 20 seconds at about 1000 watts.
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Enable to chill briefly earlier than serving.
Use a gum-free gluten free flour mix like Nicole’s Finest or my 3-ingredient gum-free mix (23 g superfine white rice flour, 8 g potato starch, 4 g tapioca starch). Bob’s Pink Mill 1-to-1 additionally works right here because it’s low in xanthan gum.
Oil or butter:
Use any impartial oil (like canola or grapeseed), or melted unsalted butter for added taste. Each work effectively—simply keep away from strongly flavored oils like olive oil.
Make-ahead combine possibility:
To prep a just-add-milk model, reduce 2 tablespoons of Crisco or Spectrum model shortening into the dry substances with a fork and retailer in a small container or jar. When prepared, simply add 3 tablespoons of milk and microwave.
Microwave energy:
Microwave the cake at about 1000 watts. In case your microwave is stronger (e.g., 1200 watts), cut back the ability to 80–90%. Begin with 1 minute, verify doneness with a toothpick, and add 10–20 seconds provided that wanted.
Serving: 1cake | Energy: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 7g | Fats: 31g | Saturated Fats: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Trans Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 773IU | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 3mg
Diet info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
Storage directions
Leftovers:
If you happen to can’t end it unexpectedly, cowl the mug and refrigerate for as much as 1 day. Earlier than serving, sprinkle the highest with just a little water and reheat within the microwave for 15–20 seconds at 50% energy to revive the smooth texture.
Make-ahead dry combine:
Whisk collectively the dry substances (flour mix, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt) and retailer in a sealed container in a cool, dry pantry for as much as 3 months. To make use of, measure out 75 g of the combo, add the oil or butter, milk, and optionally available chocolate, and microwave.
Simply-add-milk possibility:
To prep a mixture that solely wants milk so you may make it away from residence, reduce 2 tablespoons of shortening into the dry combine, seal, and retailer in a cool, dry pantry for as much as 2 months. The shortening will make it shelf-stable. You’ll be able to place some chocolate wafers on high.
When able to make, take away the chocolate wafers, stir in 3 tablespoons of milk, press the chocolate into the middle, and microwave as directed.
FAQs
Dutch-processed cocoa offers the richest taste. Rodelle and Hershey’s Particular Darkish are nice choices, however pure cocoa powder works positive, too.
No, this cake is simply designed to make in a microwave. As a substitute, attempt our flourless chocolate cake for 1 within the oven.
A ten to 12-ounce mug offers the cake area to rise safely. If you happen to solely have a smaller mug, set it on a plate in case the batter spills over.
No, the recipe depends on the cocoa powder for construction and texture. For a vanilla model, attempt my separate recipe for gluten free vanilla mug cake.
This often means one of many following:
• Your baking powder wasn’t contemporary
• You mismeasured dry or moist substances
• The batter wasn’t whisked totally
• It was microwaved too lengthy or at too excessive an influence
No, doubling in a single mug can result in uneven cooking and overflow. It’s greatest to make two single desserts in separate mugs. You could possibly make 1 1/2 instances the recipe in an particularly giant mug. Simply improve all of the substances and prepare dinner for a bit longer.
See the storage directions above, however typically 1 day within the fridge is okay. Reheat gently with a splash of water.