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    Home » Dessert

    Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake

    Originally Published: Feb 5, 2022 · Last Updated: Feb 11, 2022 by Ann · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    552 shares
    • 36
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Chocolate Raspberry mug cake decorated with a heart

    This vegan chocolate mug cake with raspberries takes about 5 minutes to make, start to finish. It is rich, dark, moist and perfect for satisfying a sudden chocolate craving.

    Chocolate raspberry cake in a mug with a fresh raspberry on top.

    NOTE: This recipe, photos, and post have been updated since it was first published in 2018. The changes made to the recipe are detailed in the recipe card, in case anyone wants to make it the old way.

    Tips for an EASY night in

    How do you feel about Valentine's Day? I'm kind of on the fence. I mean it doesn't make me furious the way it does some people, but I can't say I've ever gone out of my way to celebrate in any significant way either.

    The only time I can remember eating out on Valentine's Day was a couple of years ago when Phil and I were in NYC for a few days. The fact that it also happened to be Valentine's Day was pure coincidence.

    But you know, an evening at home can be special too, with just a little extra effort. And I do mean "a little".

    Maybe start with a 15-minute pasta dish like this pasta carbonara or this vegetarian pasta with fresh tomato cream sauce. A baked pasta dish like this baked tortellini with roasted vegetables is a perfect make-ahead option.

    Or if you prefer more exotic flavors, this 20-minute (vegan) udon stir fry. Or for a little heat, these little sriracha honey meatballs.

    After that the only other thing you need for the perfect low key, low stress Valentine's Day meal is dessert. Preferably chocolate.

    Spoonful of chocolate raspberry mug cakeg cake.

    5-minute vegan chocolate mug cake

    I know making dessert on a weeknight might sound crazy (or is that just me?).But hear me out. I'm about to tell you how you can make a deep, dark, moist vegan chocolate mug cake for two in about 5 minutes. FIVE MINUTES.

    Have you seen these microwave mug cake recipes around? Did you just dismiss them thinking "no way that can be good". I know I did.

    But, figuring that it was a pretty low-risk proposition (5 minutes of my time, and tiny quantities of ingredients I always have on hand), I finally caved and decided to try it.

    To say I was amazed would not be an understatement. This chocolate raspberry mug cake is rich, delicious, satisfying, and... it is completely vegan!

    When I was developing this recipe, my goal was not to make it vegan... it was just to make a delicious, easy, and quick chocolate raspberry dessert. Well, somehow it turned out to be both.

    INGREDIENT NOTES

    The ingredients used in this recipe are super simple and there's a good chance you already have what you need.

    Picture of almond milk, chocolate, raspberries, baking powder, flour, salt, sugar, and oil.

    Cocoa Powder

    First things first. Chocolate is probably the most important part of this recipe, so it is important to use good quality cocoa powder.

    This recipe uses unsweetened cocoa powder as it gives me the margin to control the amount of sugar, and where I want the sweetness to come from in the recipe.

    I also use dutch-process cocoa powder for it's rich chocolate flavor, but natural cocoa powder will work too in this recipe, since it's leavened with baking powder. See this helpful guide to cocoa powders from King Arthur Flour.

    Raspberries

    Fresh

    I have used fresh raspberries in this recipe. They are an excellent choice if you have them on hand. However, frozen raspberries work just as well, and tend to be a more affordable option.

    Frozen

    To use frozen raspberries, simply defrost them thoroughly first. Raspberries are a naturally delicate fruit. Using them frozen in this mug cake will prevent it from baking correctly, resulting in a very under-cooked, almost pudding-like mug cake.

    Simply remove the necessary amount of frozen raspberries and place them in the refrigerator to thaw. Pat the raspberries dry with a paper towel in the morning or before making the chocolate raspberry mug cake to ensure any ice particles have been removed.

    I've also used the defrost setting on my microwave with success plenty of times.

    Almond Milk

    This recipe is completely vegan, hence the almond milk. The almond milk helps make for a more moist and flavorful cake, and not to forget the various health benefits it has.

    The almond milk can be essentially substituted with any plant-based milk of your choice, or if you are not making a vegan recipe, you can use dairy milk.

    Water will also work, although the cake will be less rich.

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    So, let's get started on the recipe!

    1. Make the dry batter by whisking cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
    Dry mixture for mug cake in a bowl.

    2. Add in your oil and almond milk, and whisk it until smooth to get your cake batter ready.

    Oil and mil added to the dry batter for cake.

    3. Put 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips in the bottom of a standard-size microwave-proof mug. 

    Chocolate chips in a mug.

    4. Pour half of the prepared cake batter into the mug.

    Cake batter being poured into a mug.

    5. Add in the remaining chocolate chips and raspberries and top it with the rest of the batter.

    Fresh raspberries in the cake batter.
    Cake batter being poured into the mug.

    6. Put the cake in the microwave for about 90 seconds on high.

    Chocolate raspberry mug cake.

    7. Top the cake with icing sugar and fresh raspberries if desired, and serve warm.

    Heart shaped decoration on chocolate raspberry mug cake.
    Two hands holding a chocolate mug cake decorated with a powdered sugar hear and raspberry

    This recipe has no eggs so don't worry about under baking it. I actually prefer it kind gooey, like a cross between cake and pudding. You can devour it warm topped with your favorite ice-cream, or frozen yogurt.

    Recipe Variations

    This is a great basic vegan chocolate mug cake recipe, and you can add so many variations to it other than the raspberries. Some of my favorites include:

    Nutella

    Replace the raspberries OR chocolate chips with Nutella. Raspberry Nutella Mug Cake would taste pretty great too!

    Peanut Butter

    You can use peanut butter (or any other nut butter) instead of the raspberries or chocolate in this recipe. It adds a perfectly nutty and creamy taste to the cake.

    Nuts

    You can just add your favorite nuts in the base of this chocolate mug cake or just add nuts in this recipe - it would be amazing either way!

    Toppings

    You can top this Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake with ice cream, whipped cream, more chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even peanut butter chips. Oh, and sea salt caramel!

    Microwave Method

    This recipe took 90 seconds to prepare in my microwave, on full power. You can cook it a bit longer if you want a slightly more tender cake, but take care not to overcook or it may be dry.

    Keep in mind that microwave timings vary depending on the brand and type of microwave.

    Since there are no eggs in the recipe, there is no danger in undercooking it, and feel free to do so if you like a gooey chocolate mug cake (my personal favorite!).

    Oven Method

    Not everyone owns or feels comfortable using a microwave and this recipe is also really easy to make in the oven.

    Pour the cake batter into a 6-inch or 2-cup oven-safe ramekin and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the desired texture is obtained.

    Chocolate raspberry mug cake.

    Mug Cake for Two

    This recipe yields one standard-size mug cake, so double it if you want two. You can change the number of servings in the recipe card and it will do all the math for you!

    Mug Cake FAQs

    Are Mug Cakes Actually Good?

    A mug cake can be just as delicious as a full-size cake. The ingredients are the same, it is simply cooked more quickly than a regular cake since it is a single serving and uses the time-saving microwave cooking method.

    Why is my mug cake rubbery?

    Overcooking is usually the culprit when a mug cake comes out dry or rubbery. To avoid over-baking, take it out 15-20 seconds before the recommended time and test it by placing a fingertip on the top. The top should be slightly tacky. If it is dry it is likely overcooked. If it's still wet, just bake a few seconds longer.

    Are mug cakes safe to eat?

    Definitely. Even a mug cake with eggs in it is perfectly safe to eat as long as it is fully cooked. A mug cake with no eggs, like this one, is safe even if slightly gooey or underbaked.

    How can I make a mug cake healthier?

    If you want to make a slightly healthier version of this recipe, here is what you can do.
    Sugar: You can cut the amount in half, or use maple syrup instead of the sugar.
    Oil: You can use melted coconut oil or applesauce instead of vegetable oil.
    Flour: Instead of the all-purpose flour, you can use white whole wheat flour.

    How do I store a mug cake?

    Microwave mug cakes are supposed to be consumed as soon as they are prepared, and they are definitely at their best fresh and still slightly warm.

    Oh, and I probably don't need to tell you this, but you don't need to be a Valentine's Day enthusiast to make yourself some chocolate cake.

    In fact if you feel like going ALLL out, this chocolate caramel cake is one of my most popular recipes ever!

    Sound good to you? If you make this recipe, I would be THRILLED if you would take a pic and tag me on Instagram @ourhappymess!

    And if you're looking for more easy dinner inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Or just subscribe in the sidebar on the right to get every new recipe in your inbox 🙂

    Two hands holding a chocolate mug cake decorated with a powdered sugar hear and raspberry

    Chocolate Raspberry Mug Cake

    This vegan chocolate mug cake with raspberries takes about 5 minutes to make, start to finish. It is rich, dark, moist and perfect for satisfying a sudden chocolate craving.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 364kcal
    Author: Ann Otis

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon chocolate chips*
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour*
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 4 tablespoons almond or other milk
    • 5-6 raspberries fresh, or thawed from frozen
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Put 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips in the bottom of a standard-size mug. 
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt) until no lumps remain. Add the oil and milk and stir until smooth.
    • Pour half the batter into the mug, drop in the remaining chocolate chips and the raspberries, and cover with the remaining batter.
    • Microwave on high for about 90 seconds. (Note that microwave times may vary). Serve warm.

    Video

    Notes

    *This recipe has been modified slightly since it was originally published in 2018 to decrease the flour from 3 to 4 tablespoons, and to add an extra tablespoon of chocolate chips to the raspberry layer. I find these changes make for a moister result.
    I know many enjoyed the original version, so I wanted to highlight this in case you prefer to make it the old way!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @OurHappyMess or tag #OurHappyMess!
    « Tofu Wraps
    Cinnamon Roll Muffins »
    552 shares
    • 36

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mel

      November 20, 2021 at 3:08 am

      I really loved this recipe but I recommend using less oil since I could really taste the oil in it.

      Reply
    2. Christine

      April 14, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Chocolate part of cake turned out great. Don't recommend adding raspberries though. the raspberries in the cake got a weird taste after microwaving

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 15, 2021 at 9:34 pm

        Hmm I’ve never had that happen! In general heating berries just makes them sweeter and juicier :). You have plenty of other filling options though, I personally love a dollop of peanut butter in the centre!

        Reply
    3. Rebecca

      October 29, 2020 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      Best mug cake ever so delicious no need for the chocolate chips on the bottom was perfect 👌

      Reply
      • Ann

        November 04, 2020 at 12:45 pm

        Yay!! I am SO happy to hear that 🙂

        Reply
    4. Emma

      September 05, 2020 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      yum

      Reply
    5. Tracey

      August 08, 2020 at 6:18 am

      5 stars
      This is the best mug cake recipe I've found!
      Have made it twice now and was perfect both times. Raspberries the first time, raspberry jam the second time, when I just had to make it again but had no fresh fruit. I think I'll try with a dollop of nut better in the middle next time. Thank you, Ann ❤

      Reply
      • Ann

        August 08, 2020 at 7:59 am

        Thank you so much Tracey!! I often make it with a dollop of peanut butter in the middle myself!

        Reply
    6. Christine

      July 04, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      This is now one of my favorite mug cake recipes! I made it twice in one week, and the second time I tried it with white chocolate chips, which was a nice variation 🙂

      Reply
      • Ann

        July 06, 2020 at 9:59 am

        Oooooh I'm definitely trying the white chocolate chips next time!!

        Reply
    7. Alex

      December 30, 2018 at 4:54 pm

      This is great! I would reduce the amount of salt to just a pinch, though. Loved the chocolate and raspberry together.

      Reply
      • Ann

        December 30, 2018 at 7:57 pm

        I’m so glad to hear that Alex! Thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
    8. Swati

      April 04, 2018 at 12:48 am

      This cake is perfect for those instant cravings. Your mug cake looks delicious, will try it

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 05, 2018 at 8:54 am

        Thank you Swati!! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lisa L. Bynum

      April 03, 2018 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      So many times on a Saturday night, my husband and I are craving something sweet. But I don't feel like baking! This would be a perfect solution.

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 03, 2018 at 9:54 pm

        Yep mug cakes are MADE for those nights!

        Reply
    10. Roxana

      April 03, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      Mouth watering ingredients - chocolate and raspberry. Such a simple recipe too. I would make it when I crave for it as its so easy

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 03, 2018 at 3:16 pm

        Thank you so much Roxana! I often crave chocolate cake 😉

        Reply
    11. Danielle

      April 03, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      YUM! I am all about a 5 minute cake, especially when it involves chocolate and raspberries!

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 03, 2018 at 2:20 pm

        Totally! Thanks Danielle 🙂

        Reply
    12. Jessica Formicola

      April 03, 2018 at 1:56 pm

      Perfect for when you need just a little something sweet!

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 03, 2018 at 1:58 pm

        Exactly!

        Reply
    13. Britt | Sweet Tea and Thyme

      April 03, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      I love mug cakes! Perfect for when you're craving cake but don't want to get into the whole 10-slice layer situation. And chocolate and raspberry are perfect for each other, I can't wait to try it out.

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 03, 2018 at 1:58 pm

        Thanks Britt! That is exactly the situation these are perfect for. I was skeptical but now I'm sold 🙂

        Reply
    14. Ginny McMeans

      April 03, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      You have stolen my heart. Chocolate and raspberries are so good together and THIS in just minutes. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Ann

        April 05, 2018 at 9:23 am

        Thank you so much Ginny!

        Reply
    15. Karly

      February 11, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      Perfect when you need a little something but don't want to make a whole recipe !

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 11, 2018 at 12:30 pm

        exactly! 😉

        Reply

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    Ann from Our Happy Mess

    I'm Ann and I believe in balanced eating, homemade foods, and DESSERT. I love to cook, but I can't spend all day in the kitchen anymore, so what you'll mostly find here are simple, family-friendly recipes. I'm really happy you're here!
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