Chocolate Lava Mug Cake
A quick, single-serving chocolate cake with a molten center, perfect for an indulgent dessert ready in just minutes. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 1, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together 4 tbsp all-purpose flour, 4 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp baking powder until evenly mixed.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and stir until smooth with no lumps.
- Step 3: Drop 2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips into the center of the batter. Microwave on high for 70-90 seconds until the cake has risen but the center remains gooey; avoid overcooking to keep the molten center.
