Tasty Chocolate Lava Mug Cake

You know what’s funny? I never thought you could make a decent chocolate cake in the microwave until my daughter begged me to try one of those mug cake recipes she saw online. I always assumed they’d turn out rubbery and weird, like most microwave baking experiments.

But here’s the thing – when you get the ingredients and timing just right, a chocolate mug cake can actually be pretty amazing. The best part? It takes about 2 minutes to make, and you don’t have to wash a sink full of mixing bowls. For those nights when you’re craving something warm and chocolatey, it’s practically perfect.

What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?

For a chocolate lava cake, the type of dark chocolate you choose will directly impact the flavor and texture of that gooey center. Regular dark chocolate with around 60-70% cocoa content tends to work best – it gives you that perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor without being too bitter. If you’re grabbing chocolate from the baking aisle, brands like Ghirardelli or Lindt work great, but even chopped up chocolate bars from the candy section will do the trick. Just try to avoid chocolate chips since they’re designed to hold their shape when baked and won’t give you that smooth, flowing center we’re looking for. Remember to chop or break your chocolate into small, even pieces so it melts consistently in your mug cake.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some quick swaps for this mug cake? Here are some helpful substitutions:

• Self-rising flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour plus ¼ teaspoon baking powder and a tiny pinch of salt.
• Butter: You can swap butter with neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. Use 1½ tablespoons of oil instead of 2 tablespoons butter.
• Dark chocolate: Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips work too. Just keep in mind that milk chocolate will make the cake sweeter, so you might want to reduce the sugar by 1 teaspoon.
• Superfine sugar: Regular granulated sugar works just fine. You can also use brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
• Cocoa powder: This is a must-have for the chocolate flavor – but you can use either natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. They’ll both work in this recipe.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge with mug cakes is overcooking them in the microwave, which can turn your gooey chocolate dream into a rubbery disappointment – start with 60 seconds on high power and add more time in 10-second intervals if needed.

Getting the right mug size is crucial – use one that’s at least 12 ounces (350ml) to prevent overflow, as the batter will rise significantly during cooking, and make sure to place your chocolate squares right in the middle of the batter, not at the bottom or top.

A common error is skipping the resting time – let your mug cake stand for 1-2 minutes after microwaving, as it continues to cook from residual heat and helps the molten center achieve the perfect consistency.

For the best texture, avoid overmixing the batter when combining wet and dry ingredients – stir just until combined, as excessive mixing can make your cake tough and dense.

What to Serve With Chocolate Lava Cake?

This warm, gooey chocolate mug cake practically begs for a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top – the contrast between hot and cold is just perfect! A dollop of whipped cream works great too, especially with some fresh berries scattered around for a pop of freshness. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try adding a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of chopped nuts over the top. Keep in mind that since this dessert is pretty rich on its own, simple toppings often work best.

Storage Instructions

Enjoy Fresh: This chocolate lava mug cake is best enjoyed right after it’s made while the center is still warm and gooey! The magic of this dessert lies in that moment when you break into it and the melted chocolate flows out, so I really recommend eating it straight away.

Make Ahead: If you want to prep ahead, you can mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, and cocoa powder) in your mug and store them covered at room temperature for up to a week. When you’re ready to enjoy, just add the wet ingredients and chocolate, then microwave – it’s that simple!

Note: Since this is a quick single-serving dessert, I don’t recommend storing the cooked cake. Once it cools down, the molten center will solidify and you’ll lose that lovely lava effect. The good news is it only takes about 5 minutes to make a fresh one whenever the craving hits!

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	1-2 minutes
Total Time	6-12 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 5-7 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-55 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons softened butter (40 g)
• 2 tablespoons boiling water (40 ml)
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar (60 g)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (16 g)
• 1/4 cup self-rising flour (38 g)
• 25 g dark chocolate, broken into squares

Step 1: Melt Butter and Combine with Water

In a large mug with at least a 350 mL (12.5 oz) capacity, stir together softened butter and boiling water until the butter has completely melted.

Step 2: Mix in Sugar and Dry Ingredients

Add sugar to the melted butter and water mixture, stirring until well combined.

Then, stir in the cocoa powder and self-raising flour until you achieve a smooth and consistent batter.

Step 3: Add Chocolate Squares

Press the 4 squares of chocolate down into the batter in the center of the mug.

Ensure they are placed close together to create a delicious molten lava center.

Step 4: Microwave the Mug Cake

Place the mug in the microwave and cook on full power for 1 minute.

Check to see that the cake has risen and there is no raw batter on top.

You can quickly stick a fork or spoon into the center to ensure it’s cooked through.

If needed, microwave in additional 10-second increments, being careful not to overcook.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the mug cake is cooked to your liking, remove it from the microwave.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for added indulgence, if desired.

Enjoy your warm and gooey mug cake!