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Chocolate Vegan Mug Cake (Oil-Free)

Fudgy, super simple, and ready in minutes, this vegan Chocolate Mug Cake is one of the easiest desserts you’ll find.

white coffee mug with chocolate cake on wooden board with blueberries in background

This vegan microwave cake in a mug is exactly what you should make when you are craving something sweet but don’t want to make a big dessert.

It is an individual serving of yumminess that will make you happy in as little as 5-minutes.

two white coffee mugs filled with chocolate mug cake topped with mint leaf

What is a mug cake?

Maybe you haven’t ever heard of a mug cake, but it’s time for that to change!

A mug cake is simply a single serving of cake that is made in a coffee mug in the microwave in only minutes.

Ingredients

This is one of the easiest vegan desserts you’ll ever make. There’s no mess and only a few ingredients.

  • Flour- I use whole wheat flour or spelt flour. To make it gluten-free, try using oat flour that you can make yourself.
  • Cocoa Powder- Unsweetened cocoa powder is what I use, but cacao is also a great option.
  • Baking Powder- Baking soda can also be used.
  • Sweetener- Maple syrup is my favorite but agave nectar is another good option.
  • Applesauce- If you don’t have applesauce on hand, it’s really easy make your own.
  • Vanilla- To give it that warm delicious flavor.
  • Plant Milk- My favorite is unsweetened vanilla almond milk or plain almond milk. Any plant milk will work well. If you are feeling creative, try making your own Almond Milk in about 10-minutes.
  • Salt- For flavor and to help it rise.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chips- These really take this recipe over the top. I order my chocolate chips online.
  • Nuts- These are optional, but I really like the crunch they add. Walnut pieces are my favorite, and my husbands is crushed pecans.

How to make a vegan mug cake

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

What makes this easy dessert so great, besides being delicious, is that it requires only a few ingredients, very little time, and is made one serving at a time.

First, you are going to want to find a coffee mug. We aren’t talking about a small teacup but a nice roomy mug.

Next, add the dry ingredients–flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt–to your coffee mug and whisk them together well.

flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in coffee mug on brown board with whisk

What type of flour to use

I like to use either whole wheat flour or oat flour. Oat flour will make this mug cake gluten-free. If you would like to use other gluten-free flours, Minimalist Baker has a great gluten-free baking guide.

Next, add the wet ingredients–applesauce, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.

white coffee mug with cake batter on brown board with maple syrup

Add the non-dairy chocolate chips and walnuts if using and stir with a spoon or fork until folded into the batter well. I like to sprinkle a few more on the top as well.

white cup with cake batter and whisk

Place in the microwave and cook for about 1.5 minutes. Some microwave cooking times may vary, but mine takes a little over 1-minute.

You might want to check the consistency after one minute and add additional time if needed. I actually like mine a little fudgy in the middle.

coffee mug with green rim with chocolate cake and spoon

Topping options

This dessert is perfect exactly as is and that’s the way we serve it at my house. However, if you want to really take it over the top, try these topping ideas.

Your Questions Answered:

  • Q: Can you reheat a mug cake? Yes, simply place in the microwave and heat for 10-15 seconds.
  • Q: How can I make a mug cake oil-free? Using applesauce in place of oil helps keep cakes and other desserts moist when baking without oil.
  • Q: How do you remove a mug cake from a mug? Actually, I don’t. I simply use a fork or spoon to scoop out the cake bite-by-bite. No need to remove it from the mug.

More easy vegan chocolate desserts

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If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!

white coffee mug with chocolate cake on wooden board with blueberries in background

Chocolate Vegan Mug Cake

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 6 minutes

Fudgy, super simple, and ready in minutes, this vegan chocolate mug cake is one of the easiest desserts you’ll find.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. First, you are going to want to find a coffee mug. We aren’t talking about a small tea cup but a nice roomy mug.
  2. Next, add the dry ingredients–flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt–to your coffee mug and whisk them together well. I suggest making sure that your flour is rounded (or heaping) tablespoons and the cocoa is level tablespoons.
  3. I use whole wheat flour, but oat flour can be substituted to make this gluten-free.
  4. Next, add the wet ingredients–applesauce, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
  5. Add the non-dairy chocolate chips and walnuts if using and stir with a spoon or fork until folded into the batter well. I like to sprinkle a few more on the top as well.
  6. Place in the microwave and cook for about 1.5 minutes. Some microwave cooking times may vary, but mine takes a little over 1-minute. You might want to check the consistency after one minute and add additional time if needed. I actually like mine a little fudgy in the middle.

Notes

Topping options

This dessert is perfect exactly as is and that’s the way we serve it at my house. However, if you want to really take it over the top, try these topping ideas.

  1. Vegan Caramel
  2. Homemade Powdered Sugar
  3. Vegan Whipped Cream Topping
  4. Vanilla Nice Cream (3-Ingredients)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 305Total Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gSodium: 428mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 3gSugar: 33gProtein: 6g

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Did you make this recipe?

Please rate and leave a comment because I love hearing from you. Remember SHARING IS CARING!

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Christine

Wednesday 23rd of June 2021

I've made this 3 times since I discovered the recipe! Easy and delicious. Also shared the recipe with my daughter and her family and they love it!

Denise B Rose

Monday 15th of February 2021

Great Recipe Terri. I wonder since you posted this have you ever made this with date syrup?

Christine

Wednesday 23rd of June 2021

@Denise B Rose, I tried it once using date syrup (I have a big tub I need to use) but I really didn't care for the taste. The maple syrup is much nicer in my opinion.

Terri Edwards

Monday 15th of February 2021

Hi Denise- I haven't, but date syrup should work well. These are so good, and I hope you'll love them.

Aleana

Tuesday 26th of January 2021

I made this today. I love how quick and easy it was to make and how delicious it was! I'm glad it is one serving, otherwise I could over do it on this yummy desert!

Terri Edwards

Wednesday 27th of January 2021

Hi Aleana- Thank you for the great feedback. This has become a favorite of mine lately. We have been making them on Sunday afternoons as a treat.

Sharon Smith-Wollner

Saturday 23rd of January 2021

Delicious! I used half of the maple syrup and just increased the plant based milk. It was plenty sweet for me!

Terri Edwards

Saturday 23rd of January 2021

Hi Sharon- That's awesome to hear! Guess what I'm about to make right now, lol.

Mary

Thursday 21st of January 2021

I am wondering if the maple syrup can be replaced with monk fruit since I am diabetic?

Terri Edwards

Thursday 21st of January 2021

Hi Mary- I think monk fruit would work just fine to replace the maple syrup. Enjoy!

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