This gooey chocolate mug cake for one is studded with chocolate chips, made with pantry-staple ingredients and takes just seconds to cook in the microwave.

Recipe originally posted Sep 7, 2016. Content and photos updated on Feb 5, 2020.

This microwave chocolate mug cake is the perfect healthier weeknight indulgence. 

I love lemon. And vanilla. But there are nights when all I want is a gooey chocolate dessert.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m always down to dig into a decadent lava cake at a restaurant.

But for those nights when you just want something simple to make and on the healthier side, you’re going to be happy to have this gooey chocolate mug cake for one recipe up your sleeve. 

Here’s why I love it: 

• Just the right amount of sweet. 
• Ready in less than 1 minute.
• Only 210 calories yet still so gooey and indulgent-tasting.
• Further proves that almost everything is better in a mug (or bowl).

How to make a gooey chocolate mug cake for one

The hardest part of making this healthy microwave chocolate mug cake is measuring everything out. 

So as long as you have a few measuring spoons, a microwavable mug or bowl, and a microwave, then you’re good-to go! 

Ingredients needed:

• Flour: I usually use all-purpose to keep the texture nice and light, but for a little extra nutrition boost you could also use white whole wheat or spelt flours. I have not tried it using gluten-free flour alternatives.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: I used a natural (rather than Dutch-processed) cocoa powder, but either should work — this one is my favorite. You can read more about the differences here.
• Salt: Just a dash of salt is needed to help balance out the bitterness of the cocoa powder. However, make sure it really is just a pinch – I’ve added a bit too much lately and it was not good. 
• Baking powder: This will help it rise. I haven’t tried making this gooey chocolate mug cake without it. 
• Sugar: I’m a fan of using the real thing, so I usually use cane sugar, but brown sugar will also work. I haven’t tried any sugar alternatives, but if you do let me know how it turns out.
• Almond or oat milk: really any unsweetened milk will work! While I have a slight preference for unsweetened vanilla almond milk, I’ve also loved the result when using unsweetened oat milk too. Just keep in mind that soy and coconut may change the flavor slightly. 
• Greek yogurt: Unsweetened Greek yogurt is my secret to making this healthy chocolate mug cake without any oil or butter. Do not leave it out! If you’re wanting to make this vegan, you can use a plant-based yogurt alternative. 
• Dark chocolate chips: I prefer to use mini dark chocolate chips when I can find them as they disperse a bit better, but bigger chips will work too. For a vegan option, make sure to use a dairy-free, vegan chocolate chip like Enjoy Life’s dark chocolate ones.

Tips for making a gooey chocolate mug cake in the microwave

As I’ve made quite a few of these, I’ve discovered a few key tips for successfully making a gooey chocolate mug cake in the microwave:

1. Use a butter knife to stir it all together. As I discovered with making overnight oats, a butter knife tends to help mix everything together a bit better than a spoon. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than expecting gooey chocolatey goodness and getting flour instead.
2. You don’t have to use a mug. As long as it’s microwavable, feel free to use a mug, bowl, or even a paper cup. 
3. The batter should only fill your mug half way. To avoid a mess in your microwave, make sure to only fill your mug half way. 
4. Err on the shorter cooking side. How long your healthy chocolate mug cake will take to cook depends on the size of mug you use and your microwave. I recommend starting at 30 seconds and then cooking at 10 second intervals after that until the top is just slightly set. 

Also keep in mind that once you take it out of the microwave, your chocolate mug cake will start to sink. While not quite as pretty, it’ll still be wonderfully gooey and delicious. 

Topping ideas for this gooey chocolate mug cake for one

I usually eat mine as-is, but when I’m feeling fancy I’ll sometimes add a few toppings such as: 

• Vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
• Fresh raspberries.
• Frozen strawberries that have been heated up in the microwave.
• Strawberry Chia Seed Jam. 
• Whipped Greek Yogurt Topping. 

More healthy mug cake recipes

Love mug cakes as much as I do? Then you’re going to want a few flavor options to choose from. Here are some of my go-to healthy microwave mug cake recipes: 

• Single-Serving Strawberry Shortcake on The Healthy Toast
• 4-Ingredient Banana Bread from The Big Man’s World  
• Chocolate Banana Quinoa from Cotter Crunch
• Meyer Lemon from Rachel Cooks
• Snickerdoodle from Amy’s Healthy Baking

Print Recipe

Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake for One

This gooey chocolate mug cake for one is studded with chocolate chips, made with pantry-staple ingredients and takes just seconds to cook in the microwave.

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chocolate, Healthy, Single Serving

Servings: 1

Calories: 157kcal

Author: The Healthy Toast

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1-2 tsp sugar of choice I prefer to use brown sugar
• 3 Tablespoons oat milk, or milk of choice
• 1 Tablespoon plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based alternative)
• 1 Tablespoon dark or mini chocolate chips (vegan if needed)

Instructions

• Combine all dry ingredients in a microwave-safe mug.
• Stir in milk and greek yogurt until completely combined. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
• Place mug in microwave for 30-40 seconds (I find 30 seconds is perfect for my microwave).
• Dig in and enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition for whole recipe: 210 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated), 37 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 6 g protein

Adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie

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